His gaze rose to meet mine. “What is it?”
I pulled back a little from him. “Well, nothing serious. It’s just about the painting.”
He watched me. “What about it?”
“I want Street back in your search.”
He drew back farther, his brows drawing down in a frown as he said, “There is no need for that.”
I sighed. “But we were in the game before you shoved us out, and we’re still on the quest. I just think it would be better if we work together.”
“I have it under control; if it is the gold you are concerned about, I have plans to get it to you and your friends without you having to work for it.”
“There’s the thing.” I didn’t take my eyes off his. “No one takes care of our business for us; we like the hustle.”
“And I have an easy way out.” His voice was straight. He didn’t like talking about this with me. “I am buying the manor.”
I paused. Blinking at him. “What?”
“Hm. Once I buy it, I buy everything in it. Security will be doubled, and no one will go there unless I authorize it. I willtake a tour with Kareem himself and have him show me everything.”
“And how long will this whole buying process take?”
“A couple of weeks—”
“We don’t have that much time, Elio.”
His frown deepened. “Why are you in a hurry?”
“Becauseeveryone else is in a hurry. Word is out that all the paintings found in that warehouse are counterfeits, and it’s only a matter of time until someone figures out where exactly the original is. We’re not the only ones searching for this thing.”
“I am aware.”
“Then why are you willing to wait weeks to actually have it with you?”
“Because my gut says so, and there is no way you are getting to tour that manor before I do; that being the case, there is no way for you and Street to get the painting before me.”
I watched him carefully, breathing out. “What if I can get a tour early, like, let’s say, the day after tomorrow?”
“Impossible; Kareem gave me his word,” he shot back, confident.
“But what if?”
“I would not bet on it.”
“Well, I would.” Sighing a little, I allowed a smile to stretch across my lips. “In fact, I bet I could go talk to him now and get myself that tour.”
Elio watched me with a calculated stare, trying to understand where this was leading.
“You would fail,” he said.
“I love a challenge,” I told him, straightening. “Let’s bet on it.”
“Zahra, this is un—”
“Come on,” I urged, “let’s bet on it.”
He sighed like he was only trying to indulge me. “Fine. What would you like to bet?”
