Page 36 of Baby for the Bratva

She shrugs. “No problem. Let’s play.”

I get up from the bed, grabbing the poker set from my closet and shifting a few jackets to hide the suitcases full of guns better. There’s no reason to, but it makes me feel more comfortable. I need a break from the Bratva, if only for tonight.

I pull the nightstand away from the wall, putting it at the end of the bed and sitting down in a chair on the other side before unfurling the poker set. Stella scoots up closer, and all I see is skin as her dress rides up.

Is she even wearing panties?

I’m distracted for a good few seconds before I’m able to focus on the poker set. Shit, if she opens her legs a few times while we’re playing, I might just lose.

“I’ll shuffle,” she blurts the moment the cards are in my hand.

I pass them to her, divvying up the poker chips as she shows off her shuffling technique. Clearly, she’s played cards before, but that doesn’t intimidate me. I’m so good that I considered going competitive, but crime paid more than gambling.

“You shuffle, but I deal,” I say, taking the cards from her.

She shrugs. “Lay ‘em down.”

17

Stella

I might be a terrible liar, but that doesn’t mean I’m bad at poker. My dad used to be a professional player when he was younger, and I’m fully prepared to use what I know to trash Yuri at his own game.

A paid-for cruise? Yes, please.

Yuri’s eyes drift over my thighs again as he deals the cards. Forgoing the panties was the best decision I made tonight. He’s going to be so distracted that he’s not going to be able to think straight. I can already see the bulge throbbing in his pants as I adjust my legs yet again.

I’m taking a page out of Molly’s book by flashing for money, but Yuri is no longer a stranger. It’s not quite as transactional because I enjoy the burn of Yuri’s crystal blue eyes on my skin.

I feel so alive when he looks at me. Every cell in my body lights up with excitement. I’d even consider losing if the stakes weren’t so high, but I’m not turning down a chance to have my vacation paid for.

“Ante up,” Yuri says, tossing a chip onto the small table between us.

I lean forward, matching his ante before checking my cards. Double eights. Not terrible, all things considered, but it’s not guaranteed to win me a free cruise.

I place a modest bet, playing things safe while I figure out Yuri’s poker strategy. Everyone is different, but once you know how to read someone, it’s frighteningly easy to beat them.

I get no movement from Yuri other than his signature eyebrow raise and a call to my bet.

Three cards are dealt, and the game falls in my favor. Another eight. I’m stone cold on the outside, but inside I’m smiling. I place a larger bet and uncross my legs, watching Yuri’s eyes drift downward as he raises my bet.

My tactic is working. He’s not even thinking about the game anymore. He’s mesmerized by my pussy.

I call, and he deals another card. Nothing special, but I could still lose if he has something spectacular. I take an early risk, putting in even more money and hoping he just folds.

No luck. He slides his chips forward and deals the last card.

A queen.

I consider going all in right now and wiping the floor with him, but he’d probably fold. I check his expression, but I get nothing from it. I can tell he has experience, which causes me to dial back my confidence. If he’s still in the game, there might be a reason for it.

I place a small bet.

“All in,” he announces, pushing his chips into the middle.

“What?! On the first hand?” I ask. I wasn’t expecting this at all. There’s no reason for him to be doing this unless he has something amazing.

He shrugs. “Call or fold.”

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