I veer toward the entrance of the nearest casino.The blast of air conditioning hits as we step inside, slot machines ringing and chiming in an endless chorus.I scan the floor and spot an older woman hunched over a machine, eyes fixed on the spinning reels, purse sitting open on the stool beside her with a phone half-visible inside.
I angle toward her row, slowing my pace, and let myself stumble slightly, catching the edge of her machine for balance.
Forgive me, Lord.This is an emergency.
"Oh, I'm so sorry?—"
"It's fine, honey," she mutters, barely glancing up.
My hand dips into the purse.The phone slides into my palm and disappears into my jacket pocket.Two seconds.Clean.A skill Jake taught me that I wish I didn’t have to use.
I straighten, offer an apologetic smile, and keep moving toward the bathrooms.The door swings shut behind me.Fluorescent lights buzz overhead, cracked tile beneath my feet, the muffled noise of the casino bleeding through the walls.
I pick the corner stall, lock it, and close the seat so I can perch on it.Thank the Lord Delilah taught me an emergency-call dodge—it won't free the phone permanently, but it'll buy me sixty seconds.I dial, fingers steady even as my pulse pounds in my ears.
Silas picks up immediately.
"I have about one minute," I whisper."I'm in Vegas, they're pushing for me to marry Jagger, but they’ve just yanked him off the street."
There's a pause, then his voice comes back clipped and urgent."I'll make it brief.This assignment is compromised."
My chest tightens.It's that bad.
"Is his cover intact?"
"As far as we know.Yours might not be.Lots of interest coming from NOLA in the last 48 hours.Someone is digging a little harder, tripping some of the safety nets Delilah set up around your legend.”
Before I can process that, he switches gears."You disregarded my warning.I can only guess some ill-advised attempt to save Jagger Rourke is the reason why."
My cheeks flush as I press the phone closer."You must have known they'd have killed him if I didn't come here."
A shadow moves under the door—the bodyguard's boots, pacing closer.
Silas sighs, sharp and frustrated."You have thirty seconds left.I'm not going to spend it discussing why we're not having this conversation in person.He’s being interrogated as we speak."
My jaw clenches."Why are they making such a big show of it?"
"I don't know for sure.Another test, maybe?I do know if he breaks, or gives you up to save himself…"
The words hit like ice water.
A fist thumps on the door.
I cover the mouthpiece."Give me a second, already," I yell, keeping my voice sharp and annoyed.
"We’re trying to negotiate with the DEA," Silas says quickly, "they’re not happy we’re involved when I assured them we’d be on the sidelines.We’ll give you a diversion during the ceremony.Use it wisely."
I close my eyes and block out all sound apart from his voice.
“If, for some reason, we’re delayed, youcannotmarry Jagger tonight.You do that, you’ll become evidence.Don’t do it even if they hold a gun to his head.Understand?”
Another thump.Louder.The door shakes on its hinges.
“Did Lucia make it to the mission?”I whisper.
Silas grunts.“She’s terrified, Adena.It took an hour for Jake and Sam to convince her she was safe.What happened?”
Before I can explain myself, the bathroom door opens, and a woman calls out.“Hello?A guy outside asked me to come see if Adena is okay?He said to say Valentina is waiting.”
