Chapter 5 - The Empty Casino
The trap was simple.
Make Victor believe Lena had returned to work.
The Aurelia Grand closed one private gaming floor for renovations.
At midnight, Lena stood behind the same coat-check counter.
Matteo hated the plan.
“You stay behind Gabriel.”
“You've said that six times.”
“Seven.”
“You're impossible.”
“And you're alive.”
At 12:47, the elevator opened.
Victor stepped out.
Alone.
“Lena.”
She forced herself not to retreat.
“Victor.”
He smiled.
“Where's Matteo?”
“I don't know.”
“You're a terrible liar.”
“So I've been told.”
Victor approached.
“You should've minded your own business.”
“You should've left his watch alone.”
His smile vanished.
“You have no idea what that man is.”
A voice came from behind him.
“She knows enough.”
Victor froze.
Matteo stepped from the dark gaming room.
Gabriel and two men appeared behind him.
Victor slowly turned.
“Matt.”
“Twenty-one years.”
Victor swallowed.
“You weren't supposed to find out.”
“You tried to have me killed.”
“You were destroying everything!”
“I trusted you.”
Victor laughed bitterly.
“You trusted a coat-check girl after knowing her for one night more than you trusted me after twenty-one years.”
Matteo glanced toward Lena.
“No.”
He looked back at Victor.
“She simply gave me fewer reasons not to.”
Victor's face hardened.
For one dangerous second, his hand moved toward his jacket.
Gabriel stepped forward.
Matteo didn't move.
“Don't.”
Victor stopped.
The silence stretched.
Then his shoulders dropped.
It was over.
Matteo's men escorted him away.
Lena watched until the elevator doors closed.
“What happens to him?”
Matteo looked at her.
“He answers for what he did.”
“That sounds ominous.”
“It was intended to.”
She shook her head.
“You mafia people really need normal hobbies.”
“What would you suggest?”
“Bowling.”
Matteo stared at her.
Then laughed.
May you like
It was the first time Lena had heard him genuinely laugh.
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