In line 45, the author says "the stakes in wild spy games are high." what does this statement mean?

This means that the pressure is high, but there can be different ways to put it. (I'm unfortunately not 100% sure.

Atahualpaemperor of the inca empire who rose to the throne after winning a civil war between him and his brother.  -he refused to become a spanish vassal or christian.-francisco pizarro kidnapped him and demanded a huge ransom.  -pizarro's secretary described him as "a man of thirty years, good-looking and poised, somewhat stout, with a wide, handsome, and ferocious face, and the eyes flaming with blood."-after the ransom was paid, atahualpa was killed by pizarro