Something stirred in the shadows to my right. I pivoted and lifted my gun.
The man shuffled out of the darkness. His clothes were little more than rags, and he reeked of unwashed body and old sweat. I couldn’t tell his age or ethnicity under the dirt.
“You boys look like monkeys in your fancy suits.” His voice was rough like rust.
I thought maybe he was African-American. His hair was steel-gray and curly.
“All too pretty for down here.” He broke into a hacking cough.
“Don’t be fooled,” I said. “We’re all very comfortable in the shadows.”
He met my gaze. “’Spect you are.”
“I’m looking for my woman. A man has her.” My chest throbbed. “A bad man. He’s planning to kill her.”
“That’s not good.” The homeless man’s gaze skated away.
“What’s your name?” I fought back the urgent need to keep moving.
“Errol.”
“Errol, did you see them? Did you see which way he took her?”
He sniffed. “Maybe. How much you willing to pay to save her?”
I gave a harsh laugh. “Everything. The cost doesn’t matter. She’s the most important thing to me.”
Errol nodded and his gaze dropped to the watch on my wrist. “Nice watch. Shiny.”
I took off the Patek Philippe and handed it to him. “Take it.”
The watch disappeared into the folds of his rags. “They went that way.” He pointed a bony finger at the middle tunnel.
Excitement lit inside me. “Thank you, Errol.”
The man shrugged. “Would have told you without the watch.”
“I’m happy to give it to you. You need anything, Errol, clothes, food, anything, come to the Avernus Casino. I’m the owner. Ask for Bastian Thorne.”
The man’s bushy eyebrows winged up. “Maybe I’ll stop by. Now, go get your woman.”
“Thanks, Errol.” I strode into the central tunnel. Nash, Cole, and the others closed in, flanking me.
“He’ll know you’re coming,” Cole warned.
“I’m counting on it.” I didn’t care. If I died getting Lark free, I’d pay that cost. “If anything happens to me, get her out.”
Cole muttered a curse.
“I’m serious.” I looked straight at Nash. “The casino is hers. If I die, it’s all hers. I’ve left provisions for all of you.”
“You’renotfucking dying tonight,” Nash gritted out.
“No one is dying,” Landon added from behind me.
I glanced at Cole. “Get her out.”
“We’ll take care of your girl. And you.”
