“Yes, sorry,” Smith said. “Let me refresh your drink. Nadia, may I hurry your martini along?”
“Will you? Thank you so much.” Smith headed to the bar, which was starting to become busy as people finished dinner. Val moved to where he had been standing, allowing someone to stand between her and Nadia. James was the first to appear. He headed straight for the bar and stood beside Smith. Komal, Blanton, and Sam entered next. Blanton and Sam scanned the crowd, assessed the situation, and headed toward the bar. Komal walked toward them.
“Ladies, it seems the gentlemen have left you unattended.”
Nadia rolled her eyes. “And look what they let in the door.”
Komal smiled politely, but the look he gave Smith’s mother would have flayed her skin in one fell swoop if it had been possible. Nadia huffed. “I’m going to find that drink.”
“She’s had a few.” Val chuckled.
“She lives in a bottle.” Komal’s disdain for Nadia was as clear as Nadia’s disdain for him.
He turned away from the bar and leaned on the table, blocking her view of Smith, as a smile that Val assumed he thought was sexy spread across his face. “I’ve cleared it with the train staff, and I can take you on a private tour anytime.”
Val popped her eyes wide. “You can?” She peeked around Komal’s shoulder at Smith, who was on the way back. Blanton stopped him with a question, but she couldn’t pay attention to their conversation now. She shook her head. “Ivan wouldn’t like it.”
“So don’t tell him. It’ll be our little secret.”
She drew her brows together. “But how? The only time he’s not with me is when he’s playing poker. No. I’m afraid I can’t.”
“If I were to fix it, so he’s playing poker. Say, tomorrow afternoon?” Komal leaned closer. “It would be our secret, and it would be fun.”
She peeked around his shoulder. “Tomorrow after dinner. I can meet you at the end of the passenger cars. What time?”
“Nine thirty.”
Val reached out and touched Komal’s suit jacket. “Okay. But you can’t tell him, or he’ll be really mad.”
Komal stared at her for a moment. “I look forward to it.”
“You look forward to what, exactly?” Smith sat her wine glass in front of him, forcing her to step over to be closer to him to reach it. Komal smiled at the move.
“I told your wife how much I’d look forward to winning my money back. Would you consider a rematch tomorrow night? After dinner?” Komal baited Smith.
“If you wish to lose more money, who am I to decline?” Smith dropped his arm over her shoulder and took a drink of his scotch. She flashed a quick smile at Komal, hiding it behind her wine glass. Komal lifted his eyebrows a couple of times. The rat had sniffed the bait. Now to make sure the snap of the trap killed the bastard.
17
Smith sat down at the poker table. Komal, Blanton, Sam, and the man he hadn’t named sat at the table with him. James had begged off with a headache, although he was fine at dinner.
“I’m in the room. I’m prepared, and I’ve checked my equipment. I know how to handle this guy. Don’t let anything you hear break your character. You start to get worried about a half hour after Komal excuses himself or quicker if he makes a move on me. I’ll let you know where I am. They’ll follow you when you excuse yourself.”
He didn’t need the recap. Perhaps Val was nervous? More than likely, she wanted to make sure he wasn’t. Killing wasn’t hard. He had no problem taking Komal’s guards out. The game's object would be to do it where no one would see them. The storage car or the luggage car was where he believed Komal would try to seduce Val. The only thing he cared about was her getting the job done without being touched by that slimy bastard. He knew she would play her part, but that didn’t stop his stomach from turning at the thought of Komal’s mouth on Val or his hands on her body.
“Shall we deal?” Sam asked, and Blanton cut the cards. Smith played using every advantage he had, but he won hands he shouldn’t have. They were throwing games to him, keeping him in the game, no doubt. By the time nine-thirty rolled around, everyone was low on chips, and his stack had multiplied.
“I need to take a comfort break. Continue to play. I’ll be back,” Komal said.
Smith cocked his head. “That’s not how the game is played. If you break, we all break.”
Val’s voice came across his earpiece. “He’s leaving. I got it. Heading out now.”
Komal shook his head and smiled. “My friend, you’ll soon have all our money. Take theirs first, and I’ll be back in time for you to take mine. Besides, we make up the rules on this train. Who is to tell us any different?”
Smith leaned back in his chair and stared at Komal, narrowing his eyes suspiciously at the man. Finally, he nodded. “Deal the cards.”
* * *