Page 26 of Ace of Hearts

“I bumped into Li Mei in the foyer. Apparently, they saw each other earlier.”

I glance at Li Mei, and she nods.

“Something’s not right,” she says. “Rose asked me a favor earlier. When I said I couldn’t do it because I didn’t have time, she ... completely lost it.”

“What kind of favor?” I ask, trying to ignore the foreboding rising inside me.

She bites her lip, hesitating, and sighs.

“She wanted me to place some bets for her. When I said no, she hurled insults at me and stormed off in a rage. That was an hour ago.”

I can hardly believe it. I know Li Mei wouldn’t lie, but this doesn’t sound like Rose. She’s got a short fuse, it’s true, but she’d never lose complete control like that. Except to throw a shoe at me, of course. I look at Thomas, trying to gauge what he thinks, but he’s stone-faced.

“I’ll take care of it. Thank you,” I say to Li Mei.

She nods, and I can see that underneath her calm expression she’s worried. I suppose she and Rose must have gotten close without my noticing.

I get changed and tell Thomas not to mix himself up in this any further. I go downstairs, trying to call her mobile, but it goes straight to voicemail.

I go through all the gaming rooms, starting with the slot machines. Now that I think of it, Rose hasn’t come into the public part of the casino once since we’ve been here. Why not, if she loves it so much? Why has she never suggested that we go there together for an evening of fun?

Why ask Li Mei to place bets for her? Did she want to hide it from me?

“Looking for your ‘fiancée’?”

Shit. I grit my teeth and turn around. Tito is smiling cruelly at me, a bottle of water in one hand. He must have only just finished playing.

I look him up and down, and not in a friendly way. Then I turn to walk away.

“Mind your own business,” I say.

“I know where she is.”

I stop and turn around slowly. He’s savoring the moment, his arms crossed over his muscular chest.

“She was in the process of pissing your money away at blackjack an hour ago.” He sighs. “Then when she ran out of chips, she laid into the croupiers. It wasn’t a pretty sight ...”

I know he might just be saying this to hurt me, but I can see in his eyes that it’s the truth. His eyes narrow as he says, more seriously, “You shouldn’t let her go near the tables.”

My first instinct is to spit in his face. My second, more reasonable one, is to force a laugh. What right does he have to give me advice about my fiancée?

“It’s true that you’re an expert when it comes to relationships.” I smile, keeping my cool. “How is your wife, by the way? Still asking for a divorce?”

Tito is far less gifted than I am in the art of hiding his emotions. He clenches his jaw in fury.

“You’re playing a dangerous game, Levi.”

“Is that what you said to my father before you stabbed him in the back?”

“Your father didn’t have the strength of character you have. I admit that. But you’re picking the wrong fight. I have nothing against you.”

He’s terrified. He knows what I’m capable of, and he’s afraid. This simple fact gives me the strength to keep going. I shake my head and raise my hands, lying shamelessly.

“I’ve told you: this is the last time I’ll play against you. If I win, so much the better. If not, I’ll get over it. I’ve found love. That’s far more important than an old quarrel that doesn’t even concern me.”

With that, I leave, and he shouts at my retreating back, “Have fun while it lasts!”

The asshole. I try to forget him as I make my way to the blackjack tables. I’m afraid Rose might be spotted counting cards and get herself kicked out of the hotel. That would be bad. Especially since they’ll make the connection between her and me.

I scan the room, feeling frustrated. I’m about to call Thomas to help me when someone puts a hand on my shoulder. I jump and turn to see Lucky behind me.

“Are you looking for Rose?” he asks.

“Have you seen her?”

He nods and scratches his head. “I bumped into her just after a croupier told her to leave the table. She looked a bit wired. I asked her if she was OK, and she asked me to lend her some money.”

I frown in confusion.

Lucky runs his hand through his hair. “She saw me hesitate and swore she’d pay me back double.”

“Did you give it to her?”

“I didn’t get the chance. She came to her senses immediately and told me to forget it. Then she left in a mad rush.”

I ask which way she went, and he points toward the fire exit. He offers to come with me, but I decline and thank him for his help. I have no idea what’s going on, but whatever it is, it’s nothing good.

None of this makes any sense.

I cross the room and walk through the fire exit into a silent, deserted stairwell. I call her name, but there’s no reply. I go down a few floors, and just as I’m about to give up, I stop dead.

A small form is hunched on the floor near me. Her back is against the cold, white wall. Her head is in her arms, leaning on her knees, but I recognize her dark hair.

“Rose?” I murmur gently, “Lyubimaya . ”

She looks up at me miserably. I notice scratches on her left knee. She’s bleeding. She doesn’t look like herself. My heart pounds.

“What happened?”