'Of course that's what happened', Elena thought, with the confidence of someone who had just solved a puzzle.
He said he lost a bet, obviously gambling.
Said he missed a twenty percent chance, obviously the odds of winning were one in five, and he'd missed them.
Said he cut his own hand off, obviously he'd gone all in, lost everything, couldn't repay the debt, and some gang enforcer had put a gun to his head and made him do it.
Being chased down afterward, obviously the creditors coming to collect.
Nothing left to take, obviously strip him, beat him, dump him in an alley.
Elena felt quite certain she had arrived at the truth.
Raphael watched her looking extremely pleased with herself and decided to let her keep the theory. Given his current situation, he had more pressing things to address.
"I want to make a deal with you. I won't stay long, but I need somewhere to be for now. Once I have money, I'll leave."
Elena stared at him.
