Page 108 of The Scarab's Game

Thirty minutes had passedsince the last auction items were moved to the storage room. Jayce was already inside, and she hadn’t reported any problems. She must have swapped the scarabs and had the disc safely stowed in her dress. The op wasn’t going perfectly anymore, but it was all within acceptable parameters.

Except for Noah. He was the one variable I’d hoped we wouldn’t have to deal with. At least I hadn’t spotted Enzo anywhere.

“I said”—Scarlett’s command tone was in full effect—“Jayce, put the disc back.”

Jayce blew a raspberry. “They tried killing me. Twice. And my man.”

“And you don’t think taking that disc will lead to a third attempt?”

Over my comms, Rav said, “I think Enzo’s piloting the tender. He’s picked up Massimo at the water door. The yacht in the distance must be his. No need for the drone, Will.”

An icy pain spread through my body at the mention of Enzo’s name.A bag flew over my head. Then the fist. I pushed thememory aside, focusing on the present. On the Casino. On the op. He was outside in a boat, not inside. Everything was fine.

Will’s response was quick. “It’s halfway there already. I only need one to monitor the cavern.”

Why were Enzo and Massimo leaving without Noah? Noah was on his way to the storage room, but the auction pieces weren’t supposed to be available until after the auction ended. Could Noah be trying to pick up the disc early?

He must have made some sort of arrangement with Martine. That was what he meant when he said he had a past with her.

“Jayce,” I said urgently, “I think Noah’s on his way to the storage room. Get out and duck into the high-rollers’ room. It’s right next door.”

And take the disc, Jayce. Show them we aren’t scared of them.

There was a pause before Brie’s voice came through. “Jayce just sent a text. Two staffers are inside the storage room now, so she can’t talk.”

“Shit,” I muttered under my breath, scanning the room for Drew. When I caught his eye, I made a subtle hand signal indicating he needed to join me. I positioned myself by a craps table, surrounded by a large crowd, and waited.

Drew sidled up next to me, his expression neutral. “What’s she done?”

I almost laughed at his immediate assumption that Jayce was wreaking havoc. “There are two workers inside. Jayce is hidden but can’t leave.”

Drew laughed and clapped at a winning roll on the table. His ability to mask his true feelings and blend in was impressive. “Time for Plan J3?”

Whether or not she was leading the op, Scarlett ensured the team had enough backup plans to cover any eventuality. SinceMartine had only promised to provide the passcode and no other help, we had multiple contingencies.

Plan J1 was if Jayce couldn’t sneak past the guards and into the Casino—Drew would have crashed the secret door from the inside to add an extra distraction. Plan J2 was getting Jayce into the storage room undetected if Brie’s hacking skills weren’t up to snuff—which they always were. J3 was if Jayce got stuck in the storage room.

“J3 it is. But we also need to account for Noah.”

Drew shook his head with the crowd as the next roll didn’t go well. “Can she hear me?”

“She might, if the signal’s strong enough inside the cavern.” I tilted my head slightly. “Talk to my left ear if you want to be sure.”

Drew leaned in close. “You’re going to owe me for this one, sweetheart.” He then wandered off.

Brie’s giggle came through the comms. “Jayce’s text says she’s looking forward to it.”

Will’s voice followed, tinged with amusement. “I don’t think I want to know.”

I tuned out Brie and Will’s subsequent conversation, focusing on Noah’s movements. “He’s at the storage room.”

He pressed the buzzer by the door, and the door opened. Noah started to enter but stopped. His irritation was visible even from a distance. The door closed, and Noah exited the short hallway, checking his watch and surveying the area.

“I think the staffer’s gone to retrieve the disc,” I said, my mind working through the possibilities.

Brie said, “Jayce gave two taps on her comms.”

I felt a small surge of relief. Two taps meant everything was okay, and Jayce didn’t need a rescue. But Noah was still waiting, and that made me uneasy.

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