Volkov wrinkled his brow. “Freedom? Do you think I’m a fool? You want her for yourself. You’re crazy. Do you know how much time I’ve spent on that bitch? She has to learn the lesson I’ve been planning all these years. I won’t let her go.”

Tanner gazed at him impassively. “Perhaps I used the wrong word. You’re right, of course, I do want her for myself. I can see why you’re so intrigued by her. Though the word freedom would also include not having to look over my shoulder for the rest of her life. I can’t always be there to kill the ridiculously inept men you’d send for her. I’m sure Lara would be happy to have a go at them, but she’s had enough Trials in her life.” His voice lowered. “But since you’re being so stubborn about her, I guess I’ll have to raise the pot to make it irresistible.”

Volkov tensed. “What are you proposing?”

“We play again. I’ll add another million to the pot. Plus sign a waiver to allow you to take my deposit in your Grand Cayman account that we were supposed to be playing for tonight. Winner take all. If you win, you get the entire pot and I promise to turn Lara over to you.”

“You can’t do that to me. I won’t go anywhere without Maria,” Lara said fiercely. “You can’t make me.”

“Well, it seems we have to add the mother.” Tanner shrugged. “But you can’t beat the deal.”

Volkov’s cheeks were flushed, his eyes glittering as he looked down at the chips. “It might be possible.”

“I’ll throw in the Lago Grand Sport,” Tanner said.

“I’ll play you,” Volkov said immediately. “Winner take all.”

“His word means nothing,” Lara said. “Don’t do this, Tanner.”

“Oh, I have no intention of just taking him at his word,” Tanner said softly. “For starters, I want to see him produce a financial instrument to guarantee that he can pay me for my winnings so far. An electronic bearer bond should do the trick.”

“This is ridiculous,” Volkov fumed as he pulled out his phone. “I can have one for you in ten seconds.”

“Do it.”

Volkov impatiently held up the phone to allow it to scan his face, thumbprint, and eyes. “This is humiliating. I’m going to remember how you treated me. Once we finish here, you’ll never be—” He froze as he stared at his phone screen. “What in the hell?”

“Problem?” Tanner asked.

“No.” He performed the biometric scan once more, then appeared even more puzzled. “I don’t understand.”

Tanner grabbed Volkov’s wrist and angled the phone screen toward him and Lara. “Balance zero? What are you trying to pull?”

“Nothing.” Volkov raised his hands. “Wait! I have other options.” He pulled up another page on his phone. He signed in, but again a bewildered look crossed his face. “What the hell…”

Volkov waved frantically at a slender man dressed in a stylish gray suit.

Lara leaned toward Tanner. “That’s his finance director, Vincent Kael. I didn’t realize he’d have him here.”