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Relief fizzed through her. ‘Understood.’
His gaze sharpened and Sage fought to keep her expression neutral.
The stench of stale smoke and cheap liquor hit her the moment she went down the dark carpeted stairs into the poorly lit gambling club. Half a dozen t
ables were grouped in a large room, all occupied by gamblers hunched over their winnings or desperately hoping to earn back their losses. On either side of the room, four alcoves were partially curtained off but Sage caught glimpses of more of the same going on.
‘It’s that way.’ The bodyguard indicated a sign on the far left of the room.
She nodded, noting that while a few heads swung her way, none of the gamblers paid her close attention as she walked past. Nor were any of them Ben or Xandro.
About to head down the corridor that led to the Ladies’, she caught sight of Xandro’s profile from behind one of the curtains.
She turned to the bodyguard. ‘Could you get me a drink for when I come out? A club soda is fine. As you can see, I’m in no danger. Please?’
He gave a grudging nod. The moment he headed for the bar, she made a beeline for the alcove. About to enter, she paused when she heard Ben’s strained voice.
‘If I win this hand, I’ll give you your necklace back, but in return you agree to stay the hell away from my sister.’
‘And if I win?’ Xandro demanded with a heavy trace of bitterness. ‘What grand prize do I get on top of the pain in the backside you’ve been to me this last six weeks?’
She held her breath.
‘Whatever you want. I can work for you for free for however long you want. But my sister is off the table. Agreed?’
Xandro’s harsh laugh ravaged her heart. ‘Would you believe me if I told you that you don’t have to worry about that any longer?’ he said. ‘That we can end this right now?’
‘End this how?’ Ben asked after a moment.
Tense silence reigned, dragging nails over her nerves. ‘Things didn’t end the way I wanted them to, but I’ll still keep my word to you. All I want is the necklace. Return it and you can go free,’ Xandro finally said.
‘I don’t believe you. You’re a risk-taker, just like me. We make the deal my way. That’s the only way I can trust you to stand by it. So, are we agreed?’
‘Agreed,’ Xandro bit out.
Pain slashed across her heart. The bottom that was already dropping out of the precarious world she’d built out of paper dreams gave way and disappeared into nothing. Xandro had never hidden his intentions from her and still she’d fallen in love with him. A man who was, even now, as she parted the curtains and walked into the room, sliding over the cards that would seal her exit from his life.
She wasn’t aware she’d made a sound until the men at the table turned towards her. Xandro was the first on his feet.
‘Sage, I told you to stay in the car!’
She swayed away from him as he lunged for her.
Ben charged to his feet, too, but his steps were halted by a limp and a groan of pain as he clutched his ribs. Despite his hampered mobility, he managed to plant himself partially between her and Xandro. ‘Stay away from her.’
‘Keep out of this, Woods,’ Xandro snapped without taking his eyes off her.
‘Like hell I will. I just won—’
‘Stop! Enough, Ben. You know how I feel about gambling. Do you really think this is what I want?’
Ben blinked, probably because she’d never yelled at him before. ‘Sage—’
‘No, I don’t want to hear any more reasons why you think your life is so miserable. Where’s the strong brother who helped me deal with the bullies? Who urged me to follow my dreams and stood by my side as we defied Mom and Dad? You were brave enough to fight for your country, but this...what you’re doing now? I don’t recognise that Ben.’
He tried to shrug it off. ‘What does it matter? He can afford a hundred more of those necklaces.’
She exhaled in despair. ‘No, he can’t. Not that one. And, even if he could, you’re not a thief. At least you weren’t till recently.’
