Page 127 of Restless Hawke
Something is wrong.
I’m not seeing it yet, but it’s there.
I let my gaze drop to the screen showing the high-stakes poker room where we’re about to host our first tournament, one we arranged to bring in some of the biggest players in the world. “I just don’t believe that Satriano isn’t going to make some sort of move soon. And today would be the perfect day to do it.”
He’s been radio silent in the weeks since Vegas, but we all learned a long time ago that just because we don’t hear from him doesn’t mean he’s not up to something behind the scenes that’s going to get all of us into a position we don’t want to be in.
Especially me, since I’m his new toy.
And he’s already proven how much he loves to fuck with me.
Gabe follows my line of sight to that particular screen. “I agree with that logic, but we’ve got everyone watching for anything even remotely suspicious. Saint and Bishop are out on the floor on top of our regular security and the extras we brought in. If he’s dumb enough to do something today, we’ll stop him.”
I grind my teeth together, wishing I could so easily believe in the infallibility of our careful planning. “I hope you’re right.”
My voice doesn’t hold any confidence because I have none.
Not after Allegra’s confession.
It has rattled me more than I care to admit or even acknowledge to myself. And for the two weeks since Vegas, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about what else I missed when I was so blinded by her.
Did I say something I shouldn’t have to her about our operations?
Did I reveal something about the family that could put us in more danger?
I can’t help thinking it’s a distinct possibility that I did.
Because I didn’t just let down my guard with Allegra, I completely obliterated it.
And it never even crossed my mind that she might have been a plant, that I was supposed to fall for her for that very reason.
Maybe it has just put me on edge.
“Maybe I’m overreacting…”
Gabe glances at me. “I don’t think you’re overreacting, Coen. I don’t think anyone can overreact when it comes to Satriano.”
If I had been more cautious, nothing ever would have happened with Allegra. I would have recognized that it was about more than a card game for her, more than just about winning. She was working ajobfor the man I hate most in this world.
And I fucking missed it.
I absently rub at my still-sore ribs, almost wishing the pain was still fresh, a reminder to always keep my wits, to pay attention to everyone’s motives, to remember that anyone can stab you in the back.
Especially with a man like Satriano pulling the strings.
“You really can’t just take that fucker out?”
Gabe snorts and smacks me on the shoulder. “Believe me, if that were an option, we would’ve done it a long time ago. But you know if we tried it, his entire organization would come for us. He already has things in place. If something were to happen to him, it could make things even worse.”
“Worse than this, being at his beck and call?”
It’s almost like he’s being intentionally absent. Building to something. The way things get eerily still before a major storm slams the coast.
“We’ll be ready. Don’t worry.”
“Ready for what?” Savage comes up behind us.
I was so engrossed in my conversation with Gabe and watching the screens for any signs of trouble that I didn’t even hear him enter the monitoring room.
