Page 42 of Felix and the Spy
“No, we don’t know that.” Amara’s guts were shaking, her tone snappy. She felt so insulted, but she held it in. “Nobody at work knows we’re together. I like your father.”
There was a stunned silence in the room. Amara wondered if she should take the cue and leave, but Max spoke.
“He’s a lot older than you.”
“So?”
“I’m not entirely convinced your intentions toward my father are honorable.”
“Max, I can take care of myself. Stop interrogating her.” Felix intervened. He placed a hand on her shoulder and guided her to the door. “You should leave. I will see you at work.”
Mutely, Amara nodded. Frustration filled her bloodstream. She wanted to defend him from his judgmental son, but she had no right to interfere in their business. Maybe Felix would explain everything to Max, and it’d be all right. With a sigh, Amara moved away.
“I’m sorry.” He watched her as he escorted her to the door. They stood on either side of the threshold, eyeing each other like they didn’t want to leave.
“You don’t have to apologize. Will you be all right?”
“Yes. Max is a little shocked, that’s all. I’ll explain everything to him.”
She nodded, not entirely convinced. But it was time to leave. Her eyes were fixed on the face that had become so dear to her. She wanted to kiss him, but Amara wasn’t entirely convinced that it was a good idea. So, she quietly left.
* * *
The gambling den smelled of smoke, lag, and sex. She had been to a few of those in her lifetime as a spy. Dressed as a female gambler, she watched Tranagard’s movements on the other side of the room.
The den employee was dealing cards. They were playing poker, a game she sucked at. On the bright side, it was just a smokescreen that would give Tranagard the time to get to their target and arrest him.
Amara collected her cards, distracted. The scene from that morning incessantly played in her head. Max’s hostility left a bitter taste in her mouth. As the game progressed, all she could think about was the accusations he’d hurled at her, and her sudden departure. She wanted to go back there and explain herself. The fact that she’s left a bad impression on Max made her uncomfortable.
“Fold.”
The man sitting before her, the den owner’s minion who had been smuggling lag grinned, his row of yellow teeth with two golden ones flashing at her. Belatedly, Amara looked at her cards and realized that she was losing.
Not that she was extremely concerned about that right now. All she could think about was going back to Felix’s house and fixing this morning’s debacle. She wanted to make a better impression on Felix’s son and correct his misapprehensions. Maybe she should go back there tomorrow, and try to explain everything. Mentally, she cataloged all the things she could get, as another player discarded his hand.
Since when had she become the kind of woman who worried about other people’s opinions? But this was Max, Felix’s son. And she liked Felix, which meant she wanted Max to like her too. Argh, it was so frustrating to be in a relationship. In just a day, she felt like she was being churned like butter. She hated how inferior it all made her feel. It was like she had gone back by three years, feeling as desolate as she did upon her mother’s death.
“Your turn.” The gambler to her side nudged. She looked down at her cards and smiled.
A straight flush.
Well, well, hadn’t she gotten lucky.
“Raise. Double.”
A few snickers filled her ears. The sound of chips being added followed. Smoke hid her view of the opposite wall but she was sure Tranagard must’ve made progress by now. Once a brawl broke out, she’d join in the fun and be out of there. She knew armed men orbited the room, hiding in plain sight. Amara would’ve preferred a more active role, but she was too distracted tonight.
Had Max been right in doubting her? Were her intentions toward Felix honorable? She’d never met a man as nice as him and sometimes Amara felt he was too good to be true.
She agonized over it for a few more seconds while the other players made their moves. She couldn’t let his words affect her. She had too much self-worth to allow Max to treat her so poorly. Being with a man like him would open her up to scrutiny from his family.
Perhaps she was overthinking. Max had walked in on her almost naked. Anyone would draw extreme conclusions in that situation, wouldn’t they?
This was driving her crazy.
She needed to stop thinking about the mess she’d made. What she needed was a plan. By the time another hand was played, she’d talked herself into visiting Max the following day and apologizing. Though she didn’t know what she was apologizing for, she’d do it. Then, she’d explain everything.
That she liked Felix a lot.
