Chapter 17 · Interest Due

"Put the card down, Kane, or I start breaking fingers." Vargo pressed a knife under my jaw. "You don't get another hand."

"Then stop standing so close," I said. "You're making it hard to cheat."

His knife pushed higher. The edge kissed skin.

Around us, eight syndicate bruisers aimed guns, blades, and one ugly shock baton. Their faces had vanished ten minutes ago. No eyes. No mouths. Just smooth skin under cheap neon masks.

They still knew how to hurt me.

The table between us held three cards, six black chips, and the sealed contract chip I had come to steal. My left hand was numb from where Vargo had crushed my wrist. My right hand rested over the forbidden deck.

One more mistake and the whole room would jump me.

One more loss and the Void would collect.

Vargo leaned closer. His breath smelled like burnt coffee and old blood. "You think that little deck makes you untouchable?"

"No. I think your men are scared of it."

A faceless thug behind him flinched.

Vargo's head snapped toward the movement. "You scared?"

The thug shook his blank face.

"He can't answer," I said. "None of you can. Not anymore.