Aloud she said, “I want to live, master. Do this for the head of Starlin. Please.”
He shook his head. I can’t do this. I won’t.
Angelica kept her head bowed, still playing her role. Reyes, you must. Don’t you see? If you do this one thing you’ll be on the Starlin board. You’ll finally have access to all the information you’ve been seeking. The game can be won or lost here.
His mind finally ordered itself, and he shifted his gaze to the table. But one final element came into view, something he was sure Angelica hadn’t considered: Once he was bound in chains, if Sweet Dove decided to kill Angelica or to give her to Engles there’d be nothing he could do to save her.
Reyes, tell me I’m wrong, but if you refuse isn’t it possible, even likely, that Sweet Dove will never make the offer again? Isn’t this your only hope, our only hope?
As if to confirm Angelica’s take on the situation, Sweet Dove drew close. “I’ll only offer this once, Reyes. Accept the chains here and now or I’ll rescind your membership immediately. And you’ll be out for good.”
To be continued …