Deck of Destiny 1, page 25
“You’re sharp, you’re fit, and you’ve got the right personality for it,” Hudson told me. “Good background in physical fitness, and you’re a licensed concealed-carry, right?”
I blinked. “You pulled up my records?”
“In a manner of speaking.” Stackman chuckled.
“I’ll think about it,” I told the two of them cautiously. “Kinda between work right now.”
I heard an engine on the other side of the street.
A familiar engine.
My heart scrambled its way up into my mouth as I turned. Hope, excitement, and some kind of crazy high blasted its way through my mind, and my old Dodge Ram appeared at the end of the block. I’d left it ruined in the middle of the street, with half of the hood caved in, the engine damaged, and the wheels destroyed. The broadside I’d taken from the knarlback’s charge was nowhere to be seen.
The damaged panels had been replaced, the engine growled appreciatively as it slid up to the sidewalk beside us, and I gaped at my truck as it pulled to a halt. A guy in a police uniform, probably only two years older than me, pushed his way out of the driver’s seat with a big smile on his face, and he held out a package to me.
“Nice to finally meet you, Matt,” he said. “Name’s Brian. Heard a lot of good things about your dad down at the department.”
I took the brown paper bag, recognized the heft of it, and realized that my well-loved 1911 was tucked into a holster in the bag. I stared at the guy for a long second and held out my hand silently to him. Brian’s grin widened as he handed me my keys, and I turned back to Hudson with a stunned feeling of awe in the pit of my stomach.
“You didn’t have to—” I began.
“Listen, Matt,” Hudson cut in, “you did my family a favor. Your old man had a lot of chips he could’ve called in, back in the day. He never did. Least we figured we could do was help you get back on your feet.”
I almost wanted to hug the guy. I stuffed the hidden gun into my coat pocket as best as I could and stared at my truck in astonishment. It’d been written off. Maybe with the right mechanic and the right amount of time, I could’ve gotten it fixed, but I’d been more concerned with surviving the Game than my mode of transportation. I spun the keys around my finger for a second, let them slap into my palm, and realized that my problem with transport had just been solved.
“Thank you,” I said finally. “I-”
“You’re welcome,” Stackman told me. “Don’t need to say anything else, son.”
Hudson sipped his coffee and gave the others a nod. “Appreciate your help, fellas. Mind if I get a minute alone with the kid?”
“Done,” Brian said. “Nice meeting you, Matt.”
Stackman shook my hand, and the two of them headed around the block and out of sight. The sheer generosity, thoughtfulness, and complete unexpectedness of the situation had floored me. I knew my dad had been a good detective. I knew that he’d died in a house fire under mysterious circumstances. And I’d spent plenty of time dealing with that.
Hudson stepped forward and leaned against the hood of my truck.
“Elsie was over the moon when I told her about this,” he said. “Girl’s really got a thing for you, you know that, right?”
“It’s mutual,” I managed.
“Figured as much.” He chuckled. “Crazy situations bring people together.”
“Send me the bill, at least,” I said. “Can’t have you pay for this—”
“It’s already done,” Hudson told me firmly. “Man’s got to have a way to get around in Millbank.” He cast an appreciative eye over my Ram. “And this is a good way to do it. How’s Elsie? She settling into the city okay?”
I thought about my girlfriend fighting off a lunatic tramp with a chainsaw.
“She’s getting there,” I said.
“Bring her over for dinner sometime,” Hudson told me. “I know you’re busy figuring out things together. I don’t know what it is between the two of you, but you strike me as the kind of guy who would treat her right.”
“She’s good people.”
“She’s better,” he told me. “You look after her, you hear me?”
“Loud and clear, sir,” I said. “When do you want us around?”
Hudson blew out a breath. “Busy week ahead. How’s next weekend suit you?”
“Done,” I assured him.
Our chances of survival had just skyrocketed. I could get the girls home and safe, and I sure as hell could make dinner if we didn’t get taken out by magical lunatics with guns. Hell, the weapon in my pocket was borderline useless against the kind of people we were up against, but it was a piece of my old life that I could still hold onto.
“Sorry about the phone call earlier,” Hudson said. “Didn’t mean to scare you. But I figured it was the only way I could get this old girl to you in a hurry.” He gave the truck an affectionate pat. “Subways can be hell.”
“Tell me about it,” I said and thought of the trio of Dragons I’d run into.
“You look like you’re in a hurry,” Hudson observed.
I nodded. “Need to get back to Else.”
“Then I won’t keep you. Keep your head down, alright? Things are getting insane around here. There was a shooting down south yesterday. No one was killed, but it was a pretty close thing.” Hudson held out his hand.
I took it firmly and met his eyes. “Can’t thank you enough. You’re a lifesaver.”
“We’ve got that in common,” he assured me. “See you next week?”
“You’d have to kill me to stop me,” I replied.
He stepped back, away from the truck, and I took a step forward toward the vehicle with a swell of excitement. The interior was still banged up, but the airbags had been replaced, and the gas tank was full. I slid the keys in, fired up the engine, and ran my hands over the wheel with reverence. I hadn’t realized just how much I’d missed the feeling of the seats, the smell of old leather, or the rumble of the engine. Hudson tipped me an informal salute as he turned back to go upstairs, and I cranked the truck into gear.
“Back in the saddle,” I muttered to myself.
I got caught in the early evening traffic on the way back to the Castledaine, but I barely noticed. The truck ran like it was new. The wheels were aligned, the tires were fresh, and the Dodge carried me easily through the insane streets of my hometown. Part of me wondered what lay beyond tomorrow. We had a month of safety under our belt at Daine’s pub, but Elsie still had college to worry about. Mayce would be free of the Dragons and have the ability to choose her own destiny.
And each of us had enough magical firepower to level entire crews of armed thugs like a knife through butter. We’d already made enemies, and I had a feeling that the list wasn’t about to shrink if we got away with double-crossing the Dragons.
One thing at a time.
My first priority was to get back to the Castledaine and find a safe place to store my truck. I didn’t even know if Daine had parking for his customers, but I couldn’t imagine the brawny barman getting around on the subway. The other mercs who’d won his favor must’ve had their own place to stash their vehicles unless they all teleported places or something. The thought suddenly energized me. I didn’t even know if that was possible.
I’d spent so much time on the run and being focused on pure survival, and I hadn’t stopped to think about what kinds of Cards were out there and what they could do. It was a fucking miracle that I’d made it this far already. Suburbs rolled past me as I thought over the various aspects of the plan ahead and what I had coming ahead of it.
What would I do after I was finished?
The answer seemed obvious. My team and I needed to keep hunting Cards. The best source was other Players, of course, but that had its own set of problems. People like Wilson and his cronies had plenty to work with, and there was no end of new Players who probably wanted a piece of me.
The thought disturbed me.
I was already thinking like a Guild. My people first, everyone else second. There was some tactical sense to it, but it was completely devoid of human emotion. I was driving around in my truck, and the only reason I’d come by it was taking a risk on helping Elsie, instead of myself. Sure, there was some selfish component to that, but it was a similar situation with Mayce. Stepping outside of the tactically smart and toward the empathetic had paid dividends so far.
Most of the Guild Players I’d met had been selfish, murderous, and totally focused on their own goals and ambitions. All they wanted was the power high that came with taking out other Players and enjoying the spoils of war.
There had to be other ways.
Building my own Guild didn’t seem like the worst thing in the world. My own pocket that still relied on safety, but with strong, capable people by my side to help keep the balance between the other Guilds. The profits and rewards of working with Daine and the Sharks hadn’t escaped my mind, either. I didn’t want to be a big collective like the Dragons or the Leviathans. Something small, low-to-the-ground, and tightly knit felt like the right way to go.
I’d ask Elsie and Mayce about it once I got back.
I pulled into Underwood a half-hour later. Night had well and truly fallen, and the streetlights dappled the surrounding mansions and boulevards in tree-filtered light. I pulled up outside of Castledaine Pub and spotted Charlie and Burr standing just outside the front gates. The bouncers swept their eyes up and down the street to see if I’d been followed, and I wound down my window to talk to Burr.
The former Giant whistled appreciatively at my truck. “Where’d you get this?”
“Cops fixed it up for me after I ran it into a knarlback,” I said.
Burr stared at me. “You serious?”
“Caught me off-guard, too,” I assured him. “We paid up?”
His face split into a hungry grin. “Mayce just beat you here. I’ve got the stuff on the stove warming up as we speak.”
I tapped my hand on the car door. “Anywhere I can park her?”
“’Round the side,” Charlie piped up. “There’s an alley.”
I gave them both a grateful nod, pushed the truck into gear, and guided it past the corner of the old manor house. A narrow alley snaked between the pub and a high fence of wrought iron. Something about the sight comforted me. I’d already seen our shadowy killers take a shot at the space between the front gates, and the magical round had dissipated into nothing. Sure, my truck didn’t have the same magical protections I did, but anyone looking to destroy my vehicle with magic wouldn’t manage it inside Daine’s warded property. I squeezed the truck down the alley, found a spot behind a silver Lexus, and parked.
I was back out the front of the Castledaine a minute and a half later.
“—You really think they’re going to pull this off?” Charlie asked.
I halted in place, just out of the edge of the bouncer’s vision.
“Couldn’t tell you,” Burr said. “Be nice. Shake things up a little around here.”
“You know what happens when the Leviathans get jumpy,” Charlie countered.
“They’re already jumpy, Charlie,” Burr reminded him.
“May as well have dumped gas on the hornet nest and started dancing around it with a lit match,” Charlie replied. “That’s not shaking shit up. It’s provocation.”
“Not our problem.”
“And if they come here looking for their pound of flesh?”
“We do our jobs,” Burr replied.
I stepped out of the shadows a second later. Some part of me rankled at the fact that Charlie didn’t think we could pull off our mission. The smarter part of my brain told me to ask questions. Mayce and everyone else had told me that my plan was insane. Hell, I’d heard as much from the drug-addled Dragons leader himself, and he was the guy I was relying on to keep to his word. Charlie gave me a nod as I approached, and I offered him a smile.
“Some history between you guys and the Leviathans?” I asked.
“You heard that, huh?” Burr chuckled.
“Hard not to when you’re screaming it all over the street.”
Charlie shook his head. “Just speculation, kid. Nothing personal.”
“Guess Elsie told you about our plan?”
“She might’ve mentioned something about it.”
“Quietly, I hope,” I muttered.
“Quietly enough,” Burr assured me. “They’re waiting for you inside.”
“Thanks for the parking,” I said. “Is it—”
“Safe? Yeah. Just as safe as you are,” Burr said. “Ward stretches all the way around the property. You try and dip a pinky toe of magic here and it’ll fizzle out.”
I let out a low whistle. “Damn good security.”
“Not flawless but close enough,” Burr agreed.
Charlie shot me a questioning look as I passed between the two of them. The hum of conversation swelled through the door of the Castledaine, and I spotted a familiar face on one of the outdoor settings. Jenna flashed me a dazzling smile as she leaned back in her chair. She had one elegant leg crossed over another, and a cigarette smoldered in an old-fashioned holder between her fingertips. She took a draw and looked me over with a smirk.
“You look on top of the world,” she noted.
I paused my stride. “Might need your help tomorrow.”
“Darling, I don’t do help,” Jenna told me. “I do jobs. There’s a difference.”
“How much do you charge?” I asked.
“Depends on the injuries,” she explained. “For you, I’m sure I could find a discount.”
The flirtatious note in her voice sent a rolling thrill down my spine. I did my best to ignore it, but the dazzling healer leaned forward like a shark smelling blood in the water.
“It’s not just for me,” I said. “Might be for the girls, too. A week of dinners cover it?”
Jenna’s smirk widened. “You might want to be careful with how much food you’re offering everyone. Daine’s a good guy, don’t get me wrong, but just remember that you’re only covered for yourself. Don’t be too free with his resources.”
I couldn’t tell if she was fucking with me or if it was a genuine warning.
“I’ll keep it in mind,” I said. “Happy to substitute mine for yours.”
“Sounds like you’re setting yourself up to fail if you’re already asking for my help,” Jenna noted. “Dinners sound nice, though. Daine does make a delightful calabrese.” She blew smoke thoughtfully out of her nose. “Done. But only because I like you.”
I gave her a nod that was almost a bow. “Appreciated.”
“Oh, and a gentleman, too,” Jenna murmured. “I think I like you a lot.”
“I’m spoken for,” I said, apologetically.
“Mmm, by two people,” Jenna observed. “Shame.”
I stared at her. “Two people?”
“Mayce adores you, Matt. Isn’t it obvious?”
I thought about her head on my shoulder on the southbound train earlier.
“Can’t say it is,” I told her. “Thanks for the heads up, though.”
“Anytime,” Jenna assured me.
I strolled past her with a blend of conflicting emotions boiling away in my gut. I’d secured medical assistance in the event of our survival, which was a massive plus. I had my truck back, which felt even bigger. I had some kind of a plan, dinner with the Hudsons next week, and three handfuls of Players to juggle into a rhythm tomorrow, and all I could think about were the two girls in my team.
How the hell was I going to navigate this with Elsie?
Chapter 26
The Castledaine was packed.
I hadn’t seen the place this full since I’d first visited it. Almost every table was taken, and the sheer amount of potential collected magic made my jaw clench. I knew that Daine’s customers couldn’t use magic inside. The Sharks were mercenaries, though, and there were plenty amongst their ranks who would be more than happy to take us out for our Cards or for the right price. I wove through the tables as swiftly as I could. There weren’t any familiar faces, and some of the people there could’ve been regular vanillas in for dinner.
I told my paranoia to take it down a notch and kept my eyes open for my team.
Daine was busy at the bar. He poured drinks, offered witticisms, and chuckled heartily as he served his customers. His control and expertise over pours and cocktail construction was mesmerizing to watch. The guy was doing it all off sheer muscle memory and instinct, and he still managed to carry on conversation at the same time. He didn’t spare me a glance as I passed, but part of me was grateful for that.
I didn’t want to draw any more attention to myself than I had to.
The girls weren’t anywhere to be found downstairs amongst the crowd. Maybe they had the same reservations as I did about the potential Players in the main room, and I started up the fancy staircase toward the rooms above. I made a mental note to scrape together some money for both my rent and a new cell phone.
Not being able to contact my team was an immediate problem. Coordination was the only way we were going to survive tomorrow’s task, and I kicked myself a little for not thinking of it. I’d run my budget tight as a solo driver, and I had some money in an electronic bank account, but I hadn’t visited an ATM in the last couple of days.
At least food and drinks weren’t a problem.
I reached the bedroom door and laid a hand on the thick wood of the door. White runes spiraled out from my palm, and a soft click echoed through the hallway. Instinct had me sweep the hallway one last time for a potential tail, and I stepped into the grand sanctum of safety that the raid on the Leviathans had granted us.
Elsie and Mayce were sitting on the bed across from each other.
My girlfriend had changed out of her black cocktail dress, and she’d stolen one of my shirts to wear instead. She hadn’t changed into pants, her hair was wet, and I took a moment to appreciate her smooth, tanned legs. The Texan’s eyes darted up to find mine, and her face split into a gorgeous grin as she saw me.
“About time,” she drawled.
I held up my car keys. “You have something to do with this?”
