Page 129 of Niccolo

“I think Niccolo will be at the poker tournament.”

That absolutely dumbfounded Fausto.

“What?! Why do you think THAT?”

“I was already scheduled for the tournament months ago. I think Niccolo discovered it somehow, and that’s the reason he’s coming to Hong Kong – to seeme.”

“How do you know that?!”

“Call it intuition.”

Fausto snorted derisively.“You met him once for ten minutes. I think you’re overestimating your appeal.”

He couldn’t see the daggers I was shooting him from 6000 miles away, but he could hear them in my voice. “We’ll see.”

“What if he DOES show up? What’re you going to – ”

Suddenly, Fausto stopped talking.

When he spoke again, his voice was brimming with anger.

“You’re going to entertain another offer for your services,”he snarled.

“I’ll hear him out.”

“You fucking – ”

“Careful.”

“I was going to say ‘traitor’ – but I guess that would be incredibly ironic, wouldn’t it?”he asked with grim humor.

“At least you’re self-aware,” I said drily. “But you’re missing the big picture. If I make Niccolo think Imightswitch sides, he might reveal something useful.”

“So you’re going to play double-agent.”

“Something like that.”

“Of course, if his offer is good enough, you might actually switch sides, hmm?”

“Which is why it would behoove you to pay me 10% upfront.”

Fausto chuckled.“Like I said before: extortion.”

“Think of it as negotiation.”

“I have to hand it to you, Sofia. You’ll make a hell of a consigliere – IF I don’t kill you first.”

A chill ran up and down my spine, but I forced my voice to remain level. “I’m already a hell of aconsigliere.You should just make sure I keep working for you.”

Fausto sighed angrily.“…fine. I’ll pay you the money when you get back.”

“No, you’ll wire the money to me right now, care of the El Dorado Macau. Casinos handle that level of money transfer all the time, so it won’t be a problem.”

“You’re pushing it,”he snarled.

“No, I’m keeping you honest.”

Fausto grumbled a bit, then said,“Wire it to the El Dorado Macau Casino, you said? Under your name?”

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