Kane inclined his head. “It is. As long as everyone sticks to the plan, we shouldn’t encounter any issues.” At least they’d better not. There were only two spare minutes for anything he hadn’t foreseen.
“I don’t think it sounds simple at all,” Jules grumbled. “There seems to be a lot of guesswork going into this.”
Kane clicked his tongue. “Contrary to popular belief, Master Zhao, I am tragically unable to predict the future.” The words came out more harshly than he’d expected—his voice twisted them into a drawl. “Now, would you stop scowling at me like I burned down your fucking house?”
Jules’s eyebrows shot up, his thin shoulders tensing. For a moment, Kane wondered if the boy would rise, but he only said, “I wouldn’t put it past you.”
The words were laced with vitriol, and they rolled off Kane’s back like nothing. He allowed a smirk to grace the sides of his mouth, then caught Zaria glaring at him in his periphery.
Coward.
Fletcher put a hand on Kane’s arm, leaning across the table to address Jules. “I know it’s stressful, but if we all stick to the plan, there’s no reason it shouldn’t work. Try to trust us.”
He sounded so genuine, so sincere, that the crease between Jules’s brows smoothed over. “I trust you well enough. It’shimI don’t trust.”
That was obviously directed at Kane, who rolled his eyes. “Look, I don’t want to get caught, and I’m assuming you don’t, either. You can trust me enough to ensure that doesn’t happen.”
“He makes a point there,” Zaria said, sharing a meaningful look with Jules that Kane was unable to interpret. Irritation tugged at his insides.
“All right. Any more questions?” It came out sounding like a threat, and he wasn’t surprised when nobody said a word. Despite Jules’s apprehension and Zaria’s incessantly tapping fingers, Kane knew they had placed their confidence in him. They had no other option.
“We’ll be going, then,” Zaria murmured, rising to her feet in a single fluid movement. Kane stood at the same time, unable to help himself.
“Wait,” Fletcher said, suddenly serious. “There’s something you two need to know.”
Zaria hesitated. Though it was Fletcher who had spoken, she stared unblinkingly at Kane as if daring him to elaborate.
Kane stared back.God fucking damn it, Fletcher.This—telling Zaria about Ward—felt riskier than everything they planned to do tomorrow. If she decided to back out, they were in trouble.
She won’t, Fletcher had assured him yesterday when they’d discussed this very issue yet again.She’s not like that. She’s more determined than she is afraid. And once we get Ward what he wants, he’ll forget all about her.
His friend had better be right.
“Whatever it is you don’t want to say,” Jules put in, eyeing Kane as if he could see right through him, “just say it.”
Kane gritted his teeth until his jaw hurt. He cut a sidelong glance to Fletcher, who gave a marginal incline of his head. Finally, he locked gazes with Zaria. “It’s Ward.”
Confusion marred her delicate features. “What?”
“Ward. He’s the one who wants you dead. I had no idea, and I still don’t know the reason.”
Zaria blinked. Kane got the sense she was fighting to wipe her expression clean. “How can you be sure?”
“He told me.”
Jules took a step forward. “You son of a—”
Fletcher leapt between him and Kane, laughably out-sizing them both. “It’s the truth,” his friend said, his Irish accent more pronounced now that he was riled up. “Kane only just found out. Neither of us had any clue. We’re telling you now so you go into tomorrow knowing all the risks.”
Zaria still hadn’t looked away from Kane. He was almost positive they were thinking the same thing: that what happened at the churchhadbeen because of him, no matter how indirectly. A muscle ticked in Zaria’s brow, and she lifted her chin. “Why tell me at all? What if I decide it’s not worth it?”
“You won’t.” It was Fletcher who had been convinced she wouldn’t back out, but now, looking her directly in the eye, Kane knew it was true. She needed this. It was her only hope of saving the pawnshop, of saving Jules. Something soured in his stomach. When Zaria came away from this with nothing, there was a good chance Jules would be forced to join Ward’s crew. It was unfortunate, but so what? He wouldn’t necessarily die. And better Jules than Fletcher.
Zaria scoffed. “You think I have no sense of self-preservation.”
“No,” Kane said. “I just know you want it too badly.”
She exchanged another look with Jules, who looked about ready to do something violent and inadvisable. When she spoke again, her voice held a note of fear. How odd that Kane was familiar enough with it to notice. “You really don’t know why Ward wants me dead?”
