Page 34 of Black Reign

“Six months. He finds her real identity.”

Drew lifts one finger.

“Counterbet.”

“Go.”

“Vesper is a fifty-eight-year-old Russian man named Sergei.”

Jalen loses it.

Drew continues….“Two gold teeth. Lives in a basement.”

“Why only two gold teeth?” Kane asks.

“The others are missing.”

Leo laughs.

Vale adds, “Chain-smokes.”

“Definitely,” Drew says. “White tank top.”

Jalen says, “Has a tattoo of Putin riding a bear.”

I close my eyes.

Apparently this is friendship.

Kane is laughing hard enough to spill beer.

Drew points at me.

“And Blackwell has spent years falling in love with Sergei.”

“I never said love.”

The laughter dies.

Instantly.

I realize the mistake.

Vale leans forward.

“No.”

Drew's mouth drops open.

Jalen whispers, “Oh, shit.”

Leo watches me carefully.

Kane suddenly looks almost sympathetic.

I sigh.

“Don't.”