Arthur didn't move to collect his chips. He just set his champagne glass down.
From the shadows of the casino floor, dozens of heavily armed pit bosses stepped out. They were not wearing cheap suits. They wore thick, starlight-forged security armor. They carried crackling plasma rifles and heavy stun batons.
They surrounded the table in a perfect circle, cutting off all exits.
Vane's hand dropped to his waist, his fingers twitching toward the spatial ring hidden in his pocket. His jaw was locked tight. "We are surrounded."
Cassia didn't look scared. She just stood up straight, letting her hand drift down to the slit in her crimson dress where her stun pistols were strapped to her thigh. "Looks like the boss finally noticed us."
Arthur stayed in his chair. He casually dusted a speck of lint off his lapel.
"Exactly," Arthur smirked. "Time for our meeting."
A heavy, wet slithering sound echoed from the dark VIP corridors at the back of the casino.
Something big was coming.
