Page 51 of When He Plays

“I think he wants his casino back. I suspect we’ll walk in and find ourselves at another game. Only tonight, Ares will believe that he has the control. He’ll be wrong, of course.”

“You’re not betting me.” Just so they were clear.

“I will not be betting you.” Definite.

“I know you didn’t want to come,” she said as her gaze once again darted to the window. It had started to rain, a steady rainfall that sent fat drops sliding down the pane of glass.

“Why would I want to come? He tried to kill me last night. Incidents like that tend to turn you off a person. Make you want to refuse their invitations.”

“You believe he’ll try again tonight?” Before Logan could answer, she shook her head. “I won’t let that happen.”

“I won’t, either. But I’m not particularly concerned he’ll try to kill me in front of a crowd. Seeing as how the others will be present, too, I figure he’s just setting the stage for a rematch.”

The others. After Logan had gotten his invitation, he’d called Sebastian Shay and Carmichael Lennon. Both men had also received invitations. Both men had confirmed they were attending the private party hosted by Ares.

After that, there had been no stopping Charlotte. So many suspects…all right there? Too tempting.

But also…

I feel like we are walking into a trap. “You have weapons on you, right?”

“We’re going to be searched. Your favorite knife will be taken from you.”

She had more than just her favorite knife on her.

“The suspect list,” he prompted. “You didn’t tell me how you came up with your primary targets. I truly want to know.”

She hesitated a moment then admitted, “The CIA created the list. We have a team that is amazing when it comes to data analysis. We found individuals who were located closely to the known victims. Individuals who have the skill set that would enable them to pull off and get away with these particular crimes.”

“And everyone from my back room game was on your list?”

“No.” She smoothed her hands over the silk of her dress. “The main suspects are currently Sebastian, Pierre, Ares, and Carmichael.” As for one other major suspect…“Harper’s brother,” she said. “Hugh Channing. He’s also on the list.”

“But not Freya?” He rolled back his shoulders. “Why was she included at the card game if she wasn’t a potential suspect?”

“She had to be there so as not to arouse suspicion. Jezebel learned that you typically invite Freya to all of your high stakes events in Vegas. When you have a private game, she’s always on the guest list. If she hadn’t been included, the others might have been suspicious. They’ve all attended games in the past where she was present. Her absence would have been noted.” Then, driven by curiosity, “Why do you always invite her?”

“I do it for my family.”

An answer she had not expected. “Really?”

“My grandmother made me once promise that Freya would always be welcome. So I extend her invitations to my games, and Freya shows up. Like clockwork.”

“How, um, how is your grandmother doing?”

His body seemed to go very still. “Pretty sure I mentioned before that she is off limits to the CIA.”

“I’m not asking as the CIA. I’m asking as me.”

“Her condition hasn’t changed. But she’s safe. She’s happy. She’s well taken care of. And I’ll be seeing her either tomorrow or the following day. You know, sort of depends on if danger and murderous attempts on my life can ease up a bit.”

“Logan…”

“That’s all you’ll get about her.”

Charlotte’s fingers twisted. “She’s lucky to have you.”

“No.” Hard. “I’m lucky to have her.”