The bet had been a reckless move, fueled by overconfidence and the electric pull of the casino floor. What started as a lighthearted night of entertainment quickly spiraled into disaster. You’d made a wager you couldn’t cover, and the wrong people had noticed.

Your brother had always bailed you out before. Even when his dealings with Jean Le Chiffre made you uneasy, he’d been your safety net. But this time, he’d refused. “You made the mess, you fix it,” he’d said coldly before turning his back. That left you with one option: Le Chiffre.

You found him in his usual haunt, an exclusive corner of the casino reserved for the elite. Jean was seated at a table with a stunning woman by his side, her laugh tinkling like coins in a jackpot. Jean didn’t even look up as you stopped a few feet away. His attention was entirely on the woman, his lips brushing her ear as she tilted her head closer.

“I need your help,” you said, your voice cutting through the intimate atmosphere like a blade.

That got his attention.

Jean’s head snapped up, his gaze locking onto you with startling intensity. The smirk on his face melted away, replaced by something sharper, more focused. The woman beside him shifted, frowning as she tried to reclaim his attention, but Jean raised a hand, a silent command for her to stay quiet.

He leaned back slightly, his expression unreadable, though his eyes flicked over you, taking in every detail. “What kind of trouble have you gotten yourself into this time?”