Page 71 of The Scarab's Game
A bag flew over my head.
A punch to my face, the taste of metal flooding my mouth.
The boot to my stomach would come next.
I shook off the memory, my fingers instinctively reaching for the poker chip in my pocket. The smooth, worn face grounded me, its texture bringing me back to the park. To Monte Carlo.“I was suspicious enough of Dante inviting Jenn here after their brief meeting in Nice. After I discovered Enzo was in town, I assumed Dante’s approach was part of a bigger plan. But I figured Jenn was safe because Enzo wouldn’t know her. Unless Fenix were surveilling you at home or Noah was feeding them an awful lot of extra intel.”
“But now that Noah’s there?”
“They took me to get to you.” I withdrew my hand from my pocket, sank onto a bench, and leaned back—acting casual for Jenn’s sake—while my mind was a jumble. “Would they take Jenn for the same reason?”
“I understand Malcolm and Rav are worried Noah will come after me, but it doesn’t make sense. He didn’t try anything in Washington and hasn’t reached out since then. Maybe he’s found someone else for the job he wanted me for.”
Noah had tried to recruit Scarlett to join the Fenix group. She’d obviously said no—kidnapping me hadn’t exactly endeared the organization to her. But for some reason, she trusted Noah enough to send us all to Monaco after the scarab.
The scarab.
I frowned, pieces clicking into place like tumblers in a lock. “If Noah’s working with Massimo, why would he send us the tip about the scarab?”
Scarlett hummed thoughtfully. “Good question. Noah said there was a division in their ranks. Massimo must not be on Noah’s side.”
Unease churned in my gut, a familiar sensation that had become my constant companion since Venice four months ago. I wanted to look back at Jenn but stopped myself. “Is this a power play? Are we pawns in the middle of Noah’s game?”
“I wish I knew.”
Another massive cruise ship was making its way toward the port, its horn bellowing a deep, resonant note that echoed off the tall buildings crammed into this tiny country.
I’d been to Monte Carlo over a dozen times, but I could still remember the thrill of my first visit. The way my heart raced as I stepped into the famed Monte Carlo Casino, the clink of chips, and the hushed murmur of high-stakes games filling the air.
Today, the glitz and glamor faded to a dull sheen.
Instead of being my favorite city, it was the backdrop for another battle with Fenix.
“I’m not sure if you heard,” I said, “but the Ferraros sent Jenn some information about theWheatfieldpainting. The one Dante brought her to clean is a copy. Dante just showed her the original hanging in Massimo’s yacht.”
“I don’t like this, Em. We should abort the scarab mission.”
I ran a hand over the outside of my left pocket, feeling the poker chip. Memories of Venice danced in my head. Sequestered in a small room. Patched up from one of the many beatings. The musty smell of damp stone. “If we have a chance to divide this organization further, we’re taking it.”
“This isn’t about us or revenge,” Scarlett argued. “This is about Jenn’s safety. I’ll call the museum in Cairo and our client so they can deal with the auction. You come home instead.”
“You know that doesn’t work, Scar. By the time the authorities act, it’s too late. You think any police force will work on this by tomorrow, based on an anonymous tip? Go in and break up an auction at the Casino Rocher? Plus, nobody touches the Casino—not for a tiny stolen jewel.”
“So we fly Jenn out of Monaco. If you need to continue this mission, we get her out first.”
“We already talked about this,” I snapped. Laughter from a passing group of tourists grated on my nerves. “If they’re genuinely targeting her, what’s the difference between grabbingher here or at home? What are we going to do? Hire private security to tail her for a year? Do the same with Heather and Kelley? Their families? Are we going to add security to every one of our employees?”
“It’s better than any plan you’re proposing!” Her voice had raised—something she rarely did. This was a sensitive topic for her.
“Then she stays with me. Every second, every day.”
“They tookyouin New York,” Scarlett said softly.
The words hit me like a physical blow, knocking the air from my lungs. The phantom pain of bruises long healed throbbed beneath my skin. Memories of the headaches. The blurred vision for two months. “That’s because we didn’t even know they existed before New York, let alone that they might take one of us. But today? Monaco may as well be my home turf, and we’re not going in blind. She’ll be safe with me.”
“Rav has more experience in that role. Ask him to?—”
“I don’t have time for this. This is my op, my decision.” I hung up on her.Stupid move, Em. I stared at the phone, waiting for her to call back.