Doris Elizabeth Corday

"Care to join us, partner?"

Jack's smile held a flash of mischief as he gestured to the empty spot in our booth.

Partner? I wondered.

"Why not," King replied, sliding in beside me with a casual air.

These two work together? I was processing the information a mile a minute. So, King was one of Alistair Chase's direct subordinates?

Across from us, Jack leaned back, drink in hand. His shirt somehow slipped yet another button lower, casually revealing the jack of clubs tattoo etched onto his collarbone.

Of course.

I nervously glanced at King beside me, catching sight of the king of diamonds tattoo on his neck. All those years of his relentless debt collections, and I'd wondered what that nickname of his meant. Now, sitting here with these two underworld thugs, it made sense.

What wasn't making sense though was King being so high up in the ranks. I always sort of imagined he was some mid-level crook knocking on people's doors for their months due.

How is a guy like that working for Alistair?

King caught me staring and I looked away a bit too quickly.

"What's on your mind, Beth Baby?" he asked, his voice just low enough to taunt.

Oh, he knew exactly what I was thinking.

My eyes slowly met his again.

You going to tell Jack that I'm a thief? I wanted to ask.

"Oh, I'm just hoping to get a good hand," I said instead.

The dealer dealt our cards, and I kept the conversation light, testing the waters to see if King would ruin my plan or stay amused on the sidelines. His eyes tracked my every move, a quiet threat that reminded me exactly how dangerous tonight's gamble really was.

If I screwed this up, Rob would have my head.

Literally.

Through some drinks and jokes, I bluffed my way to a hefty pile of chips. As another round began, I leaned back, feeling Jack and King's eyes flick over me. My smirk held firm, but each glance from King made it a little harder to breathe. He could expose me with a single word — yet his only intent seemed to be watching me squirm.

Jack, lounging like he had all the time in the world, tilted his glass to watch the ice inside. His rich brown eyes had a reddish tint from the room's lighting.

"Luck's on your side tonight, sweetheart?" he asked, his tone both a taunt and an invitation.

I shrugged, glancing down at my cards, then flicked a cool smile his way.

"Don't need luck when my opponents lack skill."

"Ha!"

King snorted beside me, lounging back with his cards held loosely in one hand, hazel eyes moving between us. His golden rings gleamed as he toyed with his chips.

"And you're certain you aren't in over your head here?" he asked.

The way he said it I knew he didn't mean the game.

"I'm just having a good time," I tried to play it off.

He didn't so much as blink at me.

"If a good time's what you're after, you know I'm always here to help out."

I watched King carefully. Though usually I would dismiss his comments as the usual flirting he did on collection days, something in his wording made me think otherwise.

"Oh?" I asked. "Would you leave your friend here and take my side?"

"Hey, there's no teaming up!" Jack whined, still thinking we were referring to the poker game.

King's eyes gleamed like his rings.

"Anything for you, Beth Baby," he said.

My lips pressed together as I contemplated his offer. He obviously knew I was up to no good here yet still wanted to help.

But can I trust him?

I thought back to those early years after my mother left, when he'd surprisingly lowered the debt's interest just to help me get by. And though he flirted incessantly, he'd never crossed a line. Not once.

Getting my head back to the cards on the table, I raised my bet.

"Trying to intimidate me?" Jack asked.

I shrugged, a small smile curling at the corner of my lips as I sipped my cocktail.

"If you can't handle the heat, just say so."

"I can handle plenty, sweetheart," he retorted.

King gave a lazy chuckle as he added his own chips to the pile.

"I wouldn't be too sure, Jack," he said, eyes fixed on me. "She's full of surprises."

His tattooed fingers drummed against his cards, his gold watch gleaming in the red lights of the room.

The dealer laid out the next community card: the queen of diamonds.

I hid my grin. A full house.

Jack must've seen my reaction, a spark of interest in his gaze. He tossed in another raise.

"Think you're up for it, Beth?"

I matched him without hesitation, making his smile falter ever so slightly. King's eyes narrowed as he tossed in the last of his chips to call, his face a mask of charming indifference. Like he had all the money to waste.

"Alright, boys. Show me what you've got."

When King revealed his hand, I was almost disappointed to see he had nothing worth mentioning. How boring.

Jack on the other hand, showed off his three jacks with a smile so sure of victory.

But it faded as soon as I laid down my own cards, aces full of queens.

A second of silence hung in the air.

"Well, well," Jack laughed softly. "Seems I underestimated you."

King leaned closer, his fingers brushing my shoulder.

"Enjoying yourself a little too much, Beth Baby?" he whispered.

Just as I was ready to swat his hand away, Jack's phone rang.

"You'll have to excuse me for a moment," he said and stood to take the call.

With Jack out of earshot, I tossed King a glare, hoping he saw the frustration simmering beneath.

"What's your deal?" I hissed.

"I know you're here to steal something," he murmured, his gaze holding mine. "I can help."

"Why would you?" I challenged.

He paused, his lips pulling into a thoughtful pout before his eyes crinkled into a smile.

"Pity, perhaps?"

I rolled my eyes, shifting back to put some space between us.

"I don't trust you, King."

But he was undeterred. Leaning closer, his presence wrapped around me like smoke.

"Come now, Beth Baby, don't be like that. After everything we've been through?"

I crossed my arms.

"So, why risk helping me?"

He gave a careless shrug.

"I have no loyalty toward Jack."

"And Alistair Chase?"

At that, his eyes sparked in interest. He leaned in close enough for me to smell his favorite brand of expensive cigarettes.

"So, you're here for the big boss, hmm?"

I struggled to hold his stare, my pulse quickening.

"Maybe."

God, I'm gambling here.

"It just so happens that I might have a bone to pick with Alistair..." His voice went low and the way his eyes narrowed; I believed him.

"How come?" I asked, curiosity winning over caution.

"Personal matters," he dismissed. "What are we stealing?"

"Is it 'we' already?" I asked, raising a brow.

"All you have to do is say yes."

The way he looked at me suggested he might mean something else entirely. But, with options running thin and my life already on the line, I relented.

How much worse could this get?

"I'm looking for Alistair Chase... hoping to get my hands on a certain card," I admitted with a sigh. "It's small, like a bank card, with four suits—"

"Like this?"

I froze as King produced a card that was hauntingly close to the one Secretary Coy had shown me. Ivory with gold embossing, but this one bore only a single suit — a diamond.

"What's that?" I asked, suspicion tightening in my voice.

King leaned back, his gaze steady.

"Your only shot at getting what you want."

My frown deepened.

"Is it related to Alistair's card?"

"First, tell me why you're so interested in Alistair's accounts," King said, flicking the card just out of reach. "Curiosity's a killer, you know."

I swallowed, forcing a smirk.

"I... I heard he's got money," I lied.

King's eyebrow rose, amused as ever.

"Didn't you text me that you could settle your debt in full by tomorrow? What happened to that bold confidence?"

"I... celebrated early," I muttered.

King's laugh was maddeningly soft.

"Beth Baby, let's keep it honest between us."

Every word he spoke made my frustration flare hotter.

"Never mind. I don't need your help," I said, glancing over at Jack, still on his call.

King's eyes tracked mine, lips curling in smugness.

"You think he's your ticket to Alistair?" His tone dropped, the teasing edge gone. "If you're so sure you can handle it, let's go now. I'll take you to him myself."

With that, King stood and pulled me to my feet, wrapping an arm around my waist as he guided me toward the dim hallway. My legs felt robotic, moving on instinct rather than will.

"You going to expose me to him?" I asked, panic creeping into my voice.

"No, no, merely introduce you as my little plaything. He's on the top floor, as we speak."

A chill ran down my spine at his words, an uneasy sensation I couldn't shake.

"We might have to wait while he deals with his... guests."

King laughed, the sound anything but funny to me. What guests were Alistair dealing with? For King to laugh like that... What if there were men out there worse than Rob?

"D-does he keep the card on himself?" I asked, trying to mask the tremor in my voice.

"Of course not," he replied.

Something cold flickered in his eyes as we moved toward the elevator. Crystal chandeliers dangled above us in the ivory hallway, casting flickering shadows that seemed to mock my unease. Despite the opulence surrounding me, I felt far safer in bloodstained alleyways.

A warning thudded relentlessly in my chest; an ominous rhythm impossible to ignore. I couldn't shake the haunting thought that I might not make it out of here alive tonight.

"Where does he keep it, then?" I pressed, fighting against the growing dread.

"Before I tell you anything more, don't you think it's only fair for you to be honest with me, Beth Baby?"

"I am..."

"Who are you working for, hmm?" His gaze slid over to me. "Careful now. I already know the answer."

He pressed the button, sealing us inside as the elevator doors slid shut. The weight of his scrutiny bore down on me, each floor we ascended feeling like a countdown to an inevitable confrontation.

Is King bluffing? Does he really know about Mr. Illion? But how?

The tension twisted in my stomach, gnawing at me.

"I... I owe Illion Industries some money..." I finally admitted, my heart racing as I watched for any sign of surprise in his expression.

There was none.

"You stole from Rob, and he roped you into one of his contracts," he confirmed, his tone teasing yet laced with an edge. "I already knew but it's nice hearing you admit it so easily."

"How do you know?" I shot back, my heart racing.

"I have my ways..."

His smirk made the back of my neck prickle.

This man was more dangerous than I realized... and he knew far too much.

I nervously bit at my thumbnail, acutely aware that we were nearing the top floor.

"So, you... you really mean to help me?" I asked, doubt threading through my voice.

"Only if you let me," he replied. "Otherwise, I'll just walk you to your death."

My heart plummeted.

My instinct had been right... Meeting Alistair Chase was a very, very bad idea.

"Then... then I've changed my mind," I stammered, my voice thinning. "Let's leave. I don't want to meet your boss anymore. I'll find another way."

"Too late, Beth Baby," King said, his voice low and teasing as the elevator doors slid open.

In front of us lay a dimly lit corridor, ending at a single silver door that seemed to set off even more warning bells in my head. I had always relied on my instincts for missions. And every single instinct in me right now was screaming.

King reached for his card, ready to unlock the door, but I grabbed his tattooed arm, forcing him to look at me.

"Stop!" I insisted, panic flooding my chest. King hesitated, amusement flickering in his eyes, clearly enjoying my discomfort. "I said I changed my mind."

Why am I out of breath?

"You'll take my help?" he asked, still holding the card near the scanner.

I darted my gaze between him and the door.

"Yes, yes. Just... just get me out of here," I pleaded, desperation driving every word.

"Alright," he replied, as if this was all just a joke.

He led us back into the elevator, and as the doors began to close, I shot one last look at the silver door. I had no idea what would've awaited me inside... and I was more than ready to keep it that way.

As we descended back to the club, my reflection shimmered in the metallic doors. I looked much paler than when I first stepped into the building. Mr. Illion's dirty work was already drawing circles under my eyes. If this kept up, I'd age like cheese left out in the sun.

"So, what's this alternative solution you've got?" I asked.

He toyed with the card in his fingers.

"You probably know that The Four Suits Company has four businesses under its umbrella."

"Yes..."

"Each one is managed by a subordinate Alistair trusts completely."

"Alistair trusts you?" I raised an eyebrow.

He almost smiled, a dangerous spark igniting in his eyes.

"Plenty of people trust me when they shouldn't."

"Me included?"

My heart raced, caught between intrigue and caution.

"We'll see about that," he teased. "In any case, the four of us who run his businesses hold cards relating to our sectors. Collect all four, and you'll basically have a copy of his."

I frowned, playing the scenarios through my head.

"How is stealing four cards easier than stealing one?" I asked.

"Would you rather face one big tiger or four baby tigers?"

I scoffed at the absurdity of his analogy, but it held a twisted logic that I couldn't ignore.

"If I can pull this off without running into more crime bosses, I'll take it as a win," I replied, then murmured, "God knows dealing with one is plenty enough."

The elevator jolted to a stop at the bottom floor, the pulsing music blaring through my bones. King escorted me out, guiding me through the writhing bodies on the dance floor. Strobe lights flashed across his tanned skin, flickering over his gold piercings and accessories.

"Where are we going?" I asked, frowning.

"To settle your debt."

"What? I thought you were on my side."

He laughed, a sound that sent shivers down my spine.

"I like you, Beth Baby. But not enough to lose my job."

We reached the back of the club, and King led me through a door into the darkened alleyway.

"Won't you lose your job anyway if you help me steal these cards?"

"If I fail to collect the debt, Alistair will blame me. If someone loses their card, Alistair will blame them. It's that simple."

I processed his words, a mix of confusion and doubt bubbling beneath the surface.

"But you'll be giving me your card too, right? I need all four, and you so graciously offered your help."

He hummed in half-agreement, the corner of his mouth twitching in a knowing smirk.

"We'll leave my card for last. By the time Alistair pieces things together, it'll already be too late."

I nodded, feeling a glimmer of hope spark inside me.

If King was sincere, this could work...

As we stepped onto the main street, I expected we'd get a cab.

Instead, I froze.

A police car idled ahead, an officer leaning against it with a scrutinizing gaze.

My brows snapped together as I turned to King, but instead of offering answers, he nudged me toward the officer, his expression cold and calculated.

"What's this?" I demanded, my heart racing.

"Here's the girl," King said loudly, his voice dripping with false authority. "I caught her selling drugs inside."

"What?"

My voice trembled with disbelief.

Before I could grasp the situation, the officer cuffed me and pushed me inside the car, slamming the door hard behind me.

"King!" I shouted. "What the hell did you do? Hey! King!"

I shot daggers at him as he stood there, a cruel smile on his lips, waving goodbye as if he'd pulled the ultimate prank. My nails dug into my palms as I itched to strangle that thick neck of his.

But more than anger, something else brewed in my stomach.

King likely has no idea he just signed my death warrant...

With my hands cuffed, I gently touched my choker.

Mr. Illion would have me killed for this...

I screwed up big time.