Page 33 of Black Reign

“You've been cyber-dating some mystery woman for years. She humiliates you intellectually, stands you up on London Bridge, defeats your surveillance skills, and she's interesting?”

“I never said we're dating.”

Vale takes a drink.

“I bet on Blackwell.”

Kane looks over.

“What?”

Vale points his glass toward me.

“I say he finds her.”

Drew sits upright.

“We're betting?”

“We're absolutely betting,” Jalen says.

Leo smiles.

“This feels morally questionable.”

“That has never stopped us,” Drew says.

Vale considers it.

“Hundred to one.”

“Those are terrible odds.”

“Not against you.”

Haverhill reaches for another beer.

“How long?”

“Six months.”

Drew scoffs.

“Too easy. Three.”

Jalen says, “Ninety days.”

Leo looks at me.

“You've already had years.”

“Thank you.”

“So something about her is different…?”

I don't answer.

Vale smiles.