She suddenly smiled. “That would not have been unpleasant. But that’s not why we’re here. Anton was a surprise. But he said Volkov wanted him here. Anton usually deals with the men for Volkov. I suppose we should be wondering why he would want Anton here tonight.”

“No, we should only keep an eye on him. Your father impresses me as a man who will reveal anything we need to know if we just give him the opportunity.” He opened the casino doors. “Let’s let him do that.”

*  *  *

“This is incredible.” Lara glanced around the casino floor. The carpeting, lighting, and décor wouldn’t have been out of place in any of the world’s most extravagant gaming establishments in Monaco, Macau, or Las Vegas. Red-uniformed servers stood by with drink carts, and the similarly attired dealers manned the dozen or so tables. “This place looked like a condemned old shack from the road.”

“Tanner!” Volkov was moving toward them from across the room. “Welcome to my playground.”

“Is that what you call it?”

“Why not?” Volkov smiled at Lara. “Good evening, my dear. You honor my establishment with your presence. I can’t wait for you to become more accustomed to it. If Tanner hadn’t been so hasty about taking you away from me, I might have brought you here myself.”

“I’ve seen enough of your playgrounds. This is just another.” She lifted her chin defiantly. “It’s boring. I’m ready for a new start.”

“But I’m not. I prefer to linger awhile before I show you the place where we’ll have our grand finale.”

“I’m glad you’re happy to see Lara,” Tanner said. “But I only brought her here at your request. I don’t want to hear you talk about old times. Her present and future are up to me, unless I decide otherwise.” He paused. “And do I have to remind you that we have a game to play.”

“I haven’t forgotten.” Volkov brushed a long finger under Lara’s chin. “Tell him, Lara. The way I play, they’re never games of chance. They’re psychology. And I’m as good at them as I am at life itself.”

She suppressed the shiver that ran through her. Mustn’t give him the satisfaction. But she hated his hands on her. Well, she knew how to handle that problem. “He’s as good as he says, Tanner. But he has a blind spot you can drive a truck through.”

Volkov jerked back his hand. “Blind spot?”

“What Tanner calls a tell. It’s always been there.”

Volkov was clearly incensed. “What are you talking about?”

“Your weakness. That fatal flaw. It’s been obvious to me since I was a child.”

“Enlighten me.”

She smiled. “Play him, and maybe I’ll point it out to you. Or maybe Tanner will point it out to you when you lose.”