Page 348 of Double or Nothing

Oh, the irony.

“Sorry,” I bluster. “I just, um…”

I have to take a breath.

“So, what’s your real name, Harry?” he asks me.

“Bryce. Bryce Maddocks.”

“Welcome to The Argent, Bryce.” He holds out a hand. Perfect fingers. Strong grip. “Eli Carlton.”

“Ah, yes. Jack mentioned his business partner.”

“That would be me, yes.”

I glance across the gaming floor.

“Is he here?”

“Yes.”

Something loosens inside my chest.

“Fantastic. I’d really like to see him. If I can.”

Eli watches me. Watches my foot tapping. My fingers pressing against the bar top.

It only ramps up my nerves tenfold.

“Jack isn’t on the floor,” he says. “I’ll take you to him.”

“Shouldn’t you ask him first?”

Eli’s expression shifts by a fraction.

“He’ll want to see you.”

The certainty in his voice leaves no space for argument.

“Follow me.”

Eli leads me through a secured door beyond the gaming floor. The music fades behind us as we leave the room behind. The corridor is quiet and lined with dark timber and frosted glass. Staff greet Eli by name as they pass.

He acknowledges each one without slowing down.

No false enthusiasm.

Only recognition.

He carries the casino’s authority without needing to display it. People straighten when he approaches, but they don’t seem afraid.

At the end of the corridor, Eli stops beside a partially open door.

Light spills through the gap.

My heart is hammering so fast I swear Eli must be able to hear it in the silence.

He knocks on the door once before pushing it open, and there’s Jack, sitting behind a desk.