Page 71 of Wild Card (Advantage Play 1)

“Burlone crossed a line by taking Regina, and we could probably find a relatively good backing if shit hit the fan, but to intentionally pick a fight with half the mafia when we’re on neutral territory would be a suicide mission.”

“What do you mean, neutral territory?” D interjects.

Searching my memory, I try to explain. “My dad used to tell me about Burlone’s tournaments. The underground ones. There’s a pact in place as soon as you enter the location where the tournament is being held. All weapons are left at the door, and if a single hair is hurt on anyone’s head, it’s a death sentence for the perpetrator’s entire family. They will wipe us out like the plague if we go in guns blazing.”

D adds, “And even if we do slaughter every asshat who attends the tournament, their men will find out who was involved, and we’ll be screwed.”

“Exactly.”

Resting my elbows on the desk, I lay my head in my hands and search for a solution. Anything that could bring back Regina, not piss off the entire mob and half the cartels, and keep Ace out of this screwed up situation.

D interrupts my brainstorming with a defeated sigh, reading my mind.

“What are you gonna do about Ace?”

I glance over at him. “I haven’t decided yet.”

“You can’t put her in that situation,” he argues. “She’s innocent in all of this, and Burlone is just wanting to fuck with her head the same way she messed with his. Using her as a pawn? There’s got to be another way.”

With a slam of my hand against my desk, I give him a cold, hard stare. “You think I don’t know that, D? You think I want to sacrifice her for my sister? Sacrifice them both? I don’t play poker, and Burlone is undefeated with the exception of last night. I know I can’t risk Ace, but I can’t let my sister be used, either.” D has the decency to look contrite as I let the words rush out of me. “Not only is she my flesh and blood, but as soon as the other families find out she was taken from me and traded like fucking cattle, I’ll be seen as laughing stock, and our enemies will try to wipe us out. All of our lives are on the line. Not just Regina’s. Not just Ace’s. All of us if we can’t put Burlone and his men in their place. We just need to figure out how.”

“Isn’t that the million-dollar question,” D mumbles under his breath, leaning against the wall and staring into the distance.

I feel like a juggler right now with so many balls tossed into the air that it feels inevitable one or more will fall to the ground. But I can’t let that happen. I won’t. I just need to figure out a plan of action and set it into motion. If I can just—

“I’ll do it,” a feminine voice murmurs from the doorway. All heads snap to attention at the foreign sound in a room full of men. When I see her tiny body framed in the doorway, I bristle.

“Ace?”

She steps into the light with her freshly bandaged hand hanging at her side. The sight of her bruised complexion is enough to remind me of the severity of the situation and to cut her some slack for eavesdropping. If it were anyone else, they’d be reminded of their place, but she’s as much a part of this as my sister.

Clearing her throat, she pushes her shoulders back and rushes out, “I’ll do it. That bastard took my mom, beat the shit out of me, and apparently stole your sister too. He needs to be put in his place.”

“Ace.” Her swollen eyes hold my own, as I tell her, “This is family business. Go back to the couch. We’ll talk in a minute.”

With a shake of her head, a very determined Ace crosses her arms and goes head to head with me. “No. It might be family business, but this involves me too. I have a right to be here and talk about it.” Patience gone, I grit my teeth even though her feistiness is sexy as hell.

“Careful, Ace. You forget who you’re talking to.”

“I haven’t forgotten, but I won’t be pushed around. Not even by you.”

“Lou,” I bark, ignoring her pathetic argument. “Take Ace to the guest room across from mine. I’ll deal with her later.”

“Excuse me?” she says in disbelief as Lou approaches her. Taking a step back, she glares at him. “Don’t you dare touch me.”

Lou looks over his shoulder at me, silently asking if I’m being serious.

I am.

After giving him a single nod, I hear Lou mumble under his breath, “Sorry,” before reaching to grasp her arm. She shrugs away from him but keeps her attention on me. The anger radiating from her tiny body could burn down an entire city.

“I’m not your prisoner, Kingston.”

Lou drops his arm to his side, looking helpless as his gaze bounces between the spitfire a few feet from him and me.

My voice is like ice as I answer, “Right now, you’re whatever I need you to be. Go with Lou. Now. I’ll come see you later.”

“Kingston––”

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