#Chapter81
The Game
The smoke-filled parlor was sticky with the smell of Haldir’s cigar and more than a few beer bottles littering the card table. Staring down the greatest poker player he ever met, he threw in his stack of money. /"So, tell me about Mr. Lover Boy, Tess. He seemed like a sweet kid. What’s his name?/"
While she examined her hand of cards, she glanced up over them to the blue-eyed immortal. /"Well, if you must know, you damn busy body, it’s Rafik Idrissi./"
/"Idrissi? You got to be shitting me./" While Jasper drew two more and gave them to her, Haldir glared at him. /"How in the fuck did this come about?/"
His disapproving eyes narrowed and warned Haldir to hold his tongue. /"Those days are behind us. All those ancient rivalries need to end. It’s in all our best interest to negotiate this thing in good faith./"
