Chapter 17: A Dangerous Gamble...

Carter's words lingered in the air.

We steal the ledger back.

Lillian shook her head in disbelief. "That's impossible."

Carter exhaled, his fingers tightening around the edge of the worn-out table. "Not if we move fast. Thompson won't expect it."

I studied the map he had laid out, my fingers trailing over the marked location. The building sat in the heart of the district, surrounded by winding alleys and tight patrol routes. Thompson's men would be stationed at every corner, watching, waiting.

"How do we even get inside?" I asked.

Carter leaned forward, his voice dropping to a hushed tone. "We'll need help."

Lillian frowned. "Your contact?"

Carter hesitated before nodding. "Luca. He works for Thompson, but only because it benefits him. If anyone knows where the ledger is, it's him."

A cold unease settled in my chest. "And we're supposed to trust him?"

"No," Carter admitted, his expression grim. "But Luca values his own skin more than loyalty. If we offer him something worth more than his silence, he'll talk."

Lillian crossed her arms. "And if he turns on us?"

Carter's gaze darkened. "Then we make sure we get to him first."

The words sent a chill through me, but I didn't flinch. This was the world we were in now—a world of survival, where trust was a currency far more dangerous than gold.

Lillian let out a heavy breath. "Fine. Where do we find this Luca?"

Carter glanced out the window, scanning the darkened streets. "There's a gambling den a few blocks from here. He practically lives there."

I straightened, pushing back my hesitation. "Then let's go."

The moment we stepped inside, the scent of sweat, smoke, and cheap liquor filled my lungs. The dimly lit room flickered with the glow of hanging lanterns, casting long shadows across wooden tables stained from years of careless spills. The air buzzed with tension—men shouting over card games, gold clinking against the table, and the occasional outburst when luck turned sour.

Lillian stayed close to my side, her fingers brushing the edge of her cloak, ready to reach for the dagger she kept hidden. Carter, however, walked with purpose, his shoulders squared as he cut through the crowd. He knew exactly where to go.

At the far end of the room, a man lounged in a worn-out chair, shuffling a deck of cards between his fingers. He was sharp-eyed, his vest far too fine for a place like this, and he wore a smirk like he already had the upper hand.

Carter stopped in front of him. "Luca."

Luca looked up lazily, his grin widening. "Well, well. Thought you were dead, Carter."

Carter pulled out a chair and sat. "Not yet."

Luca's gaze flicked toward Lillian and me. "And who are your lovely companions?"

I held his stare, unwilling to let him size me up like prey.

Carter ignored his question. "We need information."

Luca chuckled, setting his cards down. "Of course you do. And what makes you think I have it?"

Carter leaned in slightly. "Because you always do."

The smirk on Luca's face faltered for just a second. Then he exhaled, drumming his fingers against the table. "Fine. Ask."

"The ledger," Carter said, his voice low but firm. "Where is it?"

Luca's smirk disappeared completely. He leaned back, folding his arms. "That's a dangerous question, mate."

"And I expect an answer."

Luca exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. "It's not here."

My pulse quickened. "Then where?"

Luca hesitated. His fingers tapped against the wooden surface in thought, his gaze flicking toward the nearest exit as if calculating the risk of this conversation. Then, finally, he spoke.

"Thompson moved it."

Carter's entire body tensed. "Where?"

Luca exhaled slowly, choosing his words carefully. "His manor."

Silence stretched between us. My stomach twisted as I glanced at Carter, whose expression darkened.

"Damn it," he muttered.

Lillian stiffened. "How are we supposed to get into Thompson's manor?"

Luca tilted his head. "That depends… How desperate are you?"

I clenched my fists. "Just tell us what we need to know."

Luca smirked, but there was something unreadable in his expression. "You're not going to like what comes next."

Luca shuffled his deck of cards again, his smirk widening. "There's only one way into Thompson's manor."

I narrowed my eyes. "And?"

Luca leaned in. "You'll need an invitation."

Lillian scoffed. "And where exactly do we get one of those?"

Luca tapped a finger against his temple. "That's where I come in."

Carter's jaw tightened. "What's the price?"

Luca grinned. "A favor. One I'll collect when the time is right."

I frowned. "You expect us to agree to an open-ended deal?"

Luca spread his hands. "That's how the game works, darling."

Carter's fingers drummed against the table. I could see the tension in his posture, the wariness in his eyes. He didn't trust Luca—but we were out of options.

Finally, Carter exhaled. "Fine. But if you try to double-cross us—"

Luca laughed. "Please. I'm many things, Carter, but suicidal isn't one of them."

He reached into his coat and pulled out a folded piece of parchment, sliding it across the table. "Thompson is hosting a private gathering tomorrow night. This will get you in."

I picked up the invitation, scanning it.

Thompson's estate. Midnight. Private guests only.

Lillian swallowed. "This is insane."

I met Carter's gaze. "Do we have a choice?"

Carter's expression hardened. "No."

Luca grinned. "Then I'd suggest you start practicing your best noble act. You'll need it."

I clenched the parchment in my hands, my mind already racing with possibilities.

We weren't just sneaking into Thompson's manor. We were walking straight into the lion's den.