Everything went numb.
“You’re under arrest pursuant to a federal warrant for kidnapping, interstate transportation of a kidnapped person, and conspiracy. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you. Do you understand these rights as they have been read to you?”
I forced myself not to look in Amelia’s direction as I was perp-walked out of the casino to a cluster of FBI agents who waited just outside the doors.
Half of them looked at me like I was a complete stranger. That tracked.
The man in the middle stood with his arms crossed, looking entirely unamused. “You know how much I hate Las Vegas, Judah.”
I tipped my chin up. “James. You’ve gotten old. Long time, no see.”
Agent Sanders didn’t even crack a smile. I guess some things never changed. “It was supposed to be longer.”
34
AMELIA
Saturday, June 7 | 10:34 p.m.
Jude’s smirk from across the casino made butterflies flutter in my belly, but I kept my attention on the task at hand.
Winning big and getting out.
I was close.So close.A few more hands and I’d be golden.
Tension grew as the round picked up speed. It was no wonder Jude had made me practice counting cards with distractions.Delicious distractions.This place was nothing like the Four Horsemen. It was loud and chaotic. People constantly bumped into my back as they stumbled by.
None of it mattered. I was locked in. The day of pampering and fun that Jude had given me had been exactly what I needed. I wasn’t going into this challenge already tense and stressed—I was the exact opposite. He had fucked the stress out of me in the hotel room like he knew exactly what I needed to be on my A-game.
He knew me better than I knew myself.
I kept a tight watch on the cards that were being played and the bets that were put up to make sure I stayed on top.
The dealer—a handsome twenty-something whose looks and personality were the biggest draw for the players hoping to get lucky—shot me a grin while the rest of the table groaned at having lost to the dealer. “The lady beats me again. Luck is on your side tonight, Angela.”
He was flirting to try to throw me off. Before Jude, it might have worked. This guy was cute, but he wasn’t mine.
I did a mental count of my chips and estimated how many more rounds I needed to play before I’d cash out. Some of the players beside me filtered out, mourning their losses, while people jockeyed to take their position in hopes of having a little bit of my luck rub off on them.
The commotion never settled. Heads began to turn. Even the dealer looked concerned at whatever was going on behind my back. I had practiced for this. I knew the rules.No matter what, do not look away from the table. Do not lose the count.
But something lingered in the back of my head.What if Jude was in trouble?
I couldn’t help myself. I looked away from the table and my jaw dropped.
Jude was in handcuffs. He was surrounded by a horde of suits who were restraining him and marching him out of the casino.
He never looked up. Never looked back.
My head spun as I wavered between run, hide, and fight.
Did I run to save myself?
Did I stick to the plan?
Did I hide and blend in?
Or did I go after him?
