“Not but,” Colehorn says with a loaded smirk.

“Come, Celeste.” The legal professional cups his fingers to me. “My accomplice is attempting to get you visitation along with your mother and father earlier than they’re booked.”

I stand to affix him, my thoughts snagging on the top of his sentence. Booked. I want I had that black ebook. I may absolutely discover one thing to provide them. That’s the royal flush.

Or I may work with what I’ve. Liam’s childhood social employee wasn’t totally flawed. It is very important be taught to play the hand we’re dealt. Irrespective of the playing cards, it’s the execution that counts. When the stakes are excessive, most individuals are inclined to fold in the event that they sense the slightest trace of an opponent having the successful hand. As Colehorn would say, like a home of fucking playing cards.

It’s not about having the ace. It’s about folks believing you do.

He clearly doesn’t have one, which is why I’m right here. In some way, he bought wind of my connection and thought I’d be the canary to sing. Newbie.

Possibly that’s why I am going towards my legal professional’s directive to remain quiet. As I strategy the door, I casually name out over my shoulder, “Agent Vargas tried this shit too. Didn’t work then. Received’t work now.”

Once we have been flipping by way of the black ebook on the aircraft, Gage and Liam talked about him. The identify rang a bell as a result of the day the blokes rescued Ivy and me from the Skulls, Liam referred to as Vargas and knowledgeable me that he was their FBI contact. I’ve no clue what Vargas’s transgressions have been within the ebook. I can’t keep in mind if Liam or Gage talked about specifics or not, and I didn’t learn them for myself. However I do know, if Colehorn rattles off these six names, when he will get to Liam Graves—or whichever one Liam makes use of with him—Vargas will seemingly do no matter is critical to easy this throughout since he might be implicated in Liam’s crimes. When he realizes that I knew sufficient to make use of him, he may even exonerate my mother and father.

That’s what I’m betting on.

My legal professional grumbles, dragging me out of the room. “Don’t say the rest.”

“Vargas talked to you?” Colehorn’s voice chimes from behind me.

Once I look again, he’s chewing on his lip. Nervous. That acquainted rush I get when trapping an opponent in chess or playing cards or pool—any sport actually—floods me. So, I throw slightly extra into the pot. “Yeah. A few weeks in the past once I was in Louisiana with these guys.”

That’s all he’s getting, however that’s sufficient for him to make the decision. Fingers crossed Vargas isn’t an fool. Between the names and the point out of Louisiana, hopefully, the bloodbath with the Skulls involves thoughts. A slaughtering that Vargas is complicit in.

Colehorn spouts a number of extra questions on what the interrogation was concerning and so forth. Ignoring his inquiries, I hold my gaze straight forward and saunter off to seek out my mother and father.

All the time hold them guessing.

Rex is on the finish of the hallway. Earlier than we attain him, the legal professional instructs me to remain put and silent whereas he sees what’s happening with my mother and father, so I hurry over to lean towards Rex.

“Inform me you stored your mouth fucking shut,” is all he says.

“It was shut … about eighty p.c of the time.”

“Fuck, Cee.”

“I’ve bought this,” I guarantee him, patting his arm. “Any phrase?”

“No. Not even from Dante.” His disgruntled frown tells me he’s furious about having to reply that means, however abruptly, I’m not. In the event that they aren’t responding and we’re getting radio silence from Dante, too, they could be in as a lot hassle as we’re.

“Do me a favor, Rex,” I whisper whereas he guides me to one of many ready room chairs. “Textual content Rena or Axel or Ryker, whichever Noire you will get in contact with. Inform them to let the Chief know that the ace, king, and queen have been seized right here, however there’s no hazard of folding. They need to keep it up as wanted and shelter the storm.”

If there’s another cause they’re gone, I don’t need them stumbling upon this catastrophe. And I definitely don’t need Ivy wherever close to it because it’s clear she’s the one the FBI has no data of. If anybody intercepts that textual content, it’s going to in all probability appear like code. It’s not that tough to discern. Though texting about playing cards to a on line casino isn’t so far-fetched. However storm. Nobody will perceive that I’m telling Wells to get Ivy to security, besides them.

Rex fingers me his stale espresso and begins swiping the message on his cellphone whereas my gaze scampers across the workplace. A sip of the sludge turns my abdomen. It’s extra bitter than I’m. The wind is howling exterior, the coolness seeping in, and the fluorescent lighting is mind-numbing. If I’m not mistaken or shedding my thoughts, the bulbs are buzzing a monotone tune.

We don’t chat throughout the few hours we spend ready to see or hear one thing about my mother and father. Not a phrase, apart from murmurs when considered one of us refills our disgusting coffees. He appears as consumed and exhausted as I’m.

That is going to be a nightmare to cope with, however my confidence has grown with each ticking second. I’m confused, in fact. Scared. Tied in knots. Offended that my mother and father are in all probability feeling defeated and ambushed. However largely, I’m anxious to see them and guarantee them that a technique or one other, I’ll safe their freedom.

I’m satisfied that even when I can’t, Ivy and the blokes will repair this. I do know I’ve doubted Liam and the remainder of them earlier than, however I don’t anymore. I can really feel him with me—as palpable as I may really feel him the opposite night time within the film room earlier than I ever set eyes on him. Possibly the separation strengthened my perception in us. Or perhaps the teachings he’s pushed into me are lastly taking root. Regardless of the cause, my resolve is unwavering.

Ivy and people 4 males have all survived a lot. This can be a tiny blip, not a serious ordeal. No matter these FBI assholes have on my father might be erased. In some way, Liam will present up for me, which implies he’ll present up for my mother and father. I’ve to carry on to that.

Maybe that’s why my mind revs 1,000,000 miles a minute once I catch a dialog down the corridor.

“Cole,” some younger man croons. He’s matted in a wrinkled, half-tucked blue gown shirt. If I needed to enterprise a guess, I’d tag him as a rookie.

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