There's a fine line between a brilliant play and a death wish. Damon Tavian was about to tap-dance across one with landmines on both sides.
Renwick was a paranoid bastard with a God complex, and Damon was betting his balls that the bastard's ego was louder than his instincts. He also knew Maddox Drakencrest was dangerously perceptive, cut from the same cloth as Nicholas in that way.
Chess was over. Poker was loading. And Damon was about to play two hands at the same goddamn table. In the common tongue, this would be referred to as two briefings duct-taped together and sold as one.
The first was pure theater for Renwick. The second was coded subtext for Maddox, who hopefully knew how to count cards because the penalty for misreading this table was a Beta-sized body bag.
The gamble: Would Maddox Drakencrest play ball?
Damon was all-in on yes.
DOMINO 68: THE GODFATHER GETS PLAYED AGAIN
GREYHALL CROSSING
"Drakencrest." Damon gave Maddox a nod in front of Renwick.
