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To the left, two unusual green tables stood a few feet apart, each covered with colorful balls. Surrounding the tables were a group of men with long sticks in their hands. One man aimed his stick at a ball and shot it into a small hole at the corner of the table.

How bizarre.

The room quieted as soon as they walked in. One of the men at the table shifted his hand to rest on the barely hidden pistol in his pocket. Her quickened breathing became audible as her body tensed for a fight.

“Evening, Spade,” the bald man behind the bar greeted with a tilt of his head.

Spade nodded. “Did the drop go well?”

“Boys said it went without a hitch.”

“Good.” Spade walked past the bar and clapped one of the men sitting on a stool on the back. “Finneas.”

“Hey, Spade. And by the flush! Didn’t expect to see you back so soon, Death-Zoner.” The younger man named Finneas grinned, revealing a missing front tooth.

“Likewise,” Brock’s expression was stoic, like he was readying for war.

After a few more greetings to Spade, who was quite the popular guy, he led them to a door in the back of the room that blended in with the wall.

If Spade hadn’t pushed it open, Khalani wouldn’t have even realized it was a door.

They entered a small, circular room with two red couches pushed against the wall and a tall bar in the back. Behind it, a man with pale skin, crisp black hair, and a white suit cleaned bottles. He looked up, eyeing each of them with immediate distrust.

“Keno,” Spade said in greeting.

“Spade,” Keno replied back. “Who’s the company?”

“These are the ones I was telling you about. You already know Brock.”

Keno didn’t look impressed as he glanced between them, his gaze lingering longest on Takeshi. “Are you sure they’re the right ones to help?”

Khalani frowned. Help with what?

But Spade replied, “Absolutely.”

Keno’s lips pressed into a thin line, and a heavy silence settled over the room. Khalani half-expected weapons to be drawn, but after a moment, Keno reached beneath the bar, and she heard a soft click.

The front portion of the bar moved forward and vanished, revealing a long staircase that disappeared into darkness.

Her mouth fell open as Spade descended the steep steps, gesturing for them to follow.

Khalani met Keno’s eyes one last time before taking her first step, his expression hard and unreadable.

She quickly stepped down the stairs, thankful there was a banister for her to hang onto. When she reached the bottom, the area opened into a small room illuminated only by the flicker of candles. The air was considerably colder, and Khalani rubbed her palms up and down her arms.

“This is one of our safehouses.” Spade turned to them. “There are several bedrooms down here for members who need to hide out for the night. You’ll remain here for the duration of your stay. Well, most of you, that is.”

Her forehead wrinkled, but before she could ask what he meant, Spade gave them a quick tour of the cold space.

The safehouse was definitely not built to impress. There were no decorations, and each room had one bed, a nightstand, and a small closet.

“I suggest you get some sleep now because you won’t have a chance tomorrow.”

“What happens tomorrow?”

For the first time, Spade looked apprehensive.

“Your first assignment. At the casino.”