Page 118 of Tell Me All Your Lies

Roberts looks up at me, but I can’t make out his expression as he keeps a stoic look plastered on and wears his cap and matching glasses.

The dealer deals out the cards, and I keep my sunglasses on to hide any sign of concern from my eyes.

Roberts raises the bet. I follow next, back and forth, until it’s up to him to go once again.

His head tilts up for the first time since the start of this round. I still can’t make out his expression. Does he have a winning hand? I’m really not sure what to make of this. Roberts is a professional, that much is clear, and I’m not just talking about cards. There’s more to his story than he’s letting on.

A small tap on the cards tells me he’s made his decision. He displays his cards, and as I do the same, the results are right there—I’ve won.

Roberts stands and comes around to my side of the table. I get up to shake his hand. Around us, the crowd is loud, and it’s hard to hear what Roberts said or what the dealer announced.

Suddenly, Bucky is right by my side, pulling me as he shouts to the crowd that I won his tournament and the ultimate prize.

“Come with me,” he murmurs as he guides me into a back set of offices.

He stomps on, huffing, and I focus on getting the diamonds so that I can get them to Taby. That’s the goal. Show her I can win and hopefully find out more.

Bucky busts through a dirty door with broken blinds, and I freeze in the doorway. A woman with bright-red lips and a fake tan is giving me a smug look with a box in front of her on the desk.

“Well done, Ace.”

I stand there in shock.

“Don’t look so surprised.”

I take a step back.

“Aria.”

“In the flesh. Looks like you won my tournament.”

She leans back in her chair with her legs kicked out in front of her.

“Your tournament?”

“Why? Is it so odd that a woman can be in charge?”

“It’s not,” I interject.

“Good. That would be bad for me to report to Taby.”

“Why did Bucky claim this was his tournament?”

“He’s just my manager. Handles the day-to-day while I’m off playing with everyone else.”

“Fair enough.”

“Are you to be trusted?” she asks with a cock of her head.

“I hope so.”

“Don’t we all.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“So many questions for someone so new.”

I don’t answer.

---