Chapter 17 #2
Aria stands next to the fully open door and raises her eyebrows.
“Better get those to Taby. She doesn’t like to wait.”
“I was planning on going tomorrow.”
Aria laughs again.
“I’d get them to her tonight. But what do I know? I’ve just lived to tell the tale for years.”
I take the box and head out through the door. As I go toward the main poker space, Roberts comes out from a different door and grins.
He works for Aria. He was a plant to try and make me lose. I don’t fully understand what’s at play here, but one thing is for sure—we’re in deep.
Back in the car, Cara screeches out of the parking lot as soon as I hop in. As she takes a corner, she looks down to see the box I’m holding.
“You won.” She beams.
“I did. Barely.”
“Barely?”
She shifts gears and zooms past a set of cars.
“The owner is Aria.”
“What?” she asks, shocked.
“And Aria planted someone there. Someone good. To beat me.”
“Wow,” she answers in disbelief.
“Tell me about it. He was a professional. Now I know at least that I’ve seen him before."
"You recognized him?”
“I did. I couldn’t place it, and frankly, I still can’t, but he had to have been at the casino the other night.”
“It’s amazing how intricate all of this is. What a web they’ve woven.”
I sigh and shut my eyes in the passenger seat.
“Hopefully, this pleases Taby.”
“It will. I’m sure of it.”
Cara hops onto the highway and heads back to Charlotte.
“Where to?” she asks.
“Taby’s casino. Aria recommended I get this to her immediately.”
“And we trust Aria’s opinion?”
“If I were a betting man, I would say not, but I’d rather attempt it tonight.”
“Okay. You’re the lead with this,” she says.
Opening my eyes, I look over to see a fierce and determined Cara driving as fast as she can to get us home.
The way her hair flows through the air makes me want to just watch her the whole ride home. If only I didn’t need some rest ahead of the meeting with Taby.
I reach over and take one of her hands off the steering wheel and intertwine it with mine.
“Better?” she asks with a wide smile.
“Much.”
“Get some rest, Grant. You’ll need it.”
“I will. It’s just hard to not be so distracted by your beauty.”
Cara shakes her head, but that smile stays firmly in place.
“Get some sleep. We’ll be there in less than an hour.”
“My lucky charm.”
“You did well, Ace,” Taby says in a pleased tone.
“Happy to be of assistance.”
Taby is sitting in her primary office tonight. I keep standing near the doorway, next to a guard who came in with me. The casino is lively, with an up-and-coming pop star, Luna Stone, performing.
For a mafia operation, the front is the best one I’ve ever seen. Taby’s casino is the place in Charlotte to be seen.
Taby tents her fingers over her mouth and stares while I try to stay as calm and collected as I can. She is debating bringing me into the fold after I was able to successfully bring the diamonds back.
She leans back in her chair while keeping her eyes firmly on me.
“Did Aria try to prevent you from winning?”
“I didn’t see Aria until I won.”
Taby laughs darkly.
“That’s not what I asked.”
Moment of truth.
“Yes. I believe so.”
“And what did she do exactly?”
“There was another player there who I believe was a plant. He was good. Clearly a professional poker player. He came in second place.”
‘What was this man’s name?”
“Joe. Joe Roberts.”
Taby gestures for the guard next to me to come over to her. She whispers something in his ear, and he leaves the office immediately. She brings her attention back to me.
“Aria is a complication that will be dealt with.”
I swallow thickly. I need Taby’s trust, but it’s against my better judgment to want someone to die in this situation.
“I thought it was a test. From you.”
“Possibly.”
She’s not going to tell me what’s happening. Taby opens a drawer and pulls out a stack of money.
“Here’s your cut for tonight,” she says as she slides it over.
I take it off her desk and pocket it.
“Thank you.”
“I have another proposition for you.”
This is it.
“Cordelia, well, she’s cautious about you and your wife. Should she be?”
“No.”
“Good. If there’s a problem, you know what will happen to you?”
Death.
“Yes.”
“Good.”
Taby shuffles through the same drawer and pulls out an envelope.
“Next week, we have a meeting. I’ll need someone to distribute some goods quickly. Can you do that?”
“Yes.”
“This is yours for now. Once you complete it, you’ll get the rest.”
I take the envelope and see it’s packed with hundred-dollar bills.
“If it’s this important, should I go to the meeting?”
Taby’s eyes narrow.
“I don’t think that’s necessary.”
“Whatever you say, boss.”
“Someone will be in touch.”
I take that as my cue to leave.
As I head back to a waiting Cara in the car, I realize that Taby let a truth slip in there. Cordelia doesn’t trust us for some reason. If Cordelia is Taby’s right-hand woman, then I need her to trust us.
There has to be something we can do if it becomes necessary. At least until then, Cara and I need to try and fly under the radar unless Fred’s house comes up as a dead end.
Tomorrow, we’ll know what our game plan has to be.