The dealer shuffles the cards over and over and flicks them across the table to the gamblers. The back of each card is red and black with Oliver’s seahorse crest on it.
Gabrielle watches the gambler's hands as they wait to look at their cards. Some people drum their fingers on the tabletop and others twist their jeweled rings, but her father’s hands are perfectly still. Each player has one chip, representing their family member.
“Please Dad, just tell me what’s happening?” she whispers. “I don’t remember anything and I’m scared.”
She can see Anthony’s shoulder muscles tense, but he doesn’t turn around to look at her. She wants to tug on his jacket or tap on his shoulder, but the bodyguards have tied her hands behind her back. The rope cuts into her wrists and she wriggles her hands be
