Chapter Thirteen: The Lady Won

My brow furrowed as I tried to read his expression. I couldn't understand what he was trying to do. What on earth was he doing? What was Andrei planning in his dark mind?

Was he trying to help me? Or giving me more rope to hang myself with? It had to be the latter because his eyes screamed mercilessness. Andrei would never help me, especially when he had a chance to revenge.

Repressing my inner tumult, I stared him down. In for a penny. I could use his idea to my advantage. I lifted my chin. “If it’s worth five more, why not ten more?”

The corners of Andrei's mouth lifted. “Yes, indeed. Why not?” He looked around the table. “Miss Bennet has raised the wager by ten thousand dollars.”

To my shock, one by one, the men agreed to my supposed “raise,” except for the German, who folded with an unintelligible curse. What was happening? Could I really win and save Lyra? Was Andrei helping me, and for what reason?

And just like that—oh, merciful heavens—there was suddenly a pile of chips at