Giovanni “Gio” Moretti, a powerful mafia, stood at the abandoned circus warehouse.

“Boss,” one of the men murmured “are you sure about this? I mean…?.”

“Yeah, I’m sure.“ The group stepped inside. The place was a nightmare carnival frozen in time.

Then there was her.

She was perched on a tall stool at the center of the chaos. Jinxs was as infamous as she was insane. She wore smeared clown makeup

Jinxs was sharpening a knife when they approached. She didn’t look up.

“Well, well, well,” she said “If it isn’t the big wolf himself, coming to the carnival. Did you bring popcorn?” She tilted her head up suddenly, her wide eyes locking onto his

Gio felt his stomach twist but kept his composure. “I didn’t come here to play games. I need info.”

She laughed. “Oh, everything’s a game. And lucky for you…I’m the best player.”

“I heard you’ve got connections to Darnell’s. I need to know where they are.”

“Darnell. Nasty fella. Likes his guns loud

Gio clenched his jaw. “Money. Power. Whatever you want”

“Money’s boring. Power’s a headache. If you want my help, you’ve got to play by my rules.”

“your rules?”

She stopped inches from him.

“You play the game. And if you lose, I keep one of your boys”

“No” Gio growled

Jinxs pouted, then giggled, spinning away. “Oh, relax, Gio. I’m kidding!” She stopped at a cabinet and opened it, revealing a chaotic mess of papers, maps, and photos. “I’ll give you what you want. But only because I like you.” She tossed a photo at him—a image of Darnell in front of a warehouse.

“East Dock. Midnight. That’s where they’ll be. But you’d better be quick. They’re slippery.”

Gio caught the photo, his eyes scanning it quickly before tucking it into his jacket.

Gio turned on his heel, his men following closely, their tension nearly tangible.

“Boss, she’s a damn lunatic. You really think we can trust her?”

“No. But she’s useful. And if she’s lying…” He glanced back at the warehouse “…I’ll put a bullet in her myself.”

For now, though, the game was on.