Page 41 of Black Reign

Leo drawls, “Nobody go overboard. We already sent the witnesses home.”

Jalen upright for the moment, although barely.

Drew somehow gets two fingers inside my jacket.

“Travers.”

“I HAVE ITTTTTTTT!!!!! TEE-HEEE HE-HAWWWW!”

He stumbles backward holding my device screaming like a five year old on Christmas morning.

Every instinct I possess sharpens fists clenched I stalk toward him. Controlled power still in me.

“Give it back.”

“Password.”

“No.”

Then he looks down—the screen is still unlocked.

I authenticated less than a minute ago to show them the photographs.

Drew's eyes widen.

“Jackpot.”

My stomach drops.

“Drew.”

He looks at Vale. “I'm in.”

“Don't touch anything.”

Five drunk men crowd around the most private conversation I own.

I reach for the device.

Vale blocks me with one arm while protecting his Scotch with the other.

“Let him cook.”

“Tristan.”

“I have money riding on this.”

“There is no bet.”

“There is absolutely a bet,” Kane replies.

Drew finds NULL.

Then the private channel.

VESPER — OFFLINE

His face falls.