Page 19 of Queen of Spades

The new guy holds the door open, nodding for me to come inside.

I flash Beefcake a nervous smile because I’m nothing if not committed to my role.

Grady is probably getting a good kick out of watching my performance. Not that I have any experience to compare him to, outside of the couple heats he found us extra partners for, but Grady is fun and adventurous. He doesn’t take life too seriously, which I find incredibly attractive after a lifetime of men who have tried to control me. He’ll probably want to play the billionaire and role-play tonight, which I am so totally here for.

I stare at the dome camera and wink in case Grady is watching. When he first started at the High Roller, he was also working as an escort. I don’t really like thinking about that. It’s the one part of his history I’d wipe from existence if I could, but it was over basically as soon as we met, and he never kept it from me.

For me, that’s a big thing because I feel like everyone I’ve ever known has kept things from me to try to protect me.

Grady is real with me in a way no one has been. He also doesn’t try to stifle me, and that alone has forever endeared me to him.

“Set the tray on that table so we can get this over with,” Ward says, looping his thumbs through his suspenders.

My heart races as my eyes widen. I doubt my daggers will pass inspection, and they’re technically in violation of the club rules.

Well, fuck.

Chapter Five

Ward

The look the omega shoots my way spells trouble. I’m not sure if it’s trouble for me or her, but it’s cute.

She drops the tray on the table so hard the glasses rattle and plants her hands on her hips.

“I don’t know what’s going on, but I’ve never been frisked to be able to serve in the club I work in.” There’s something about the husky purr of her voice that makes me take a step forward. Her honey-brown eyes sparkle as she pushes her plush lips together. She blinks innocently as her shoulders bounce. “You must like to keep your boss waiting.”

I chuckle, prowling closer. “Who says he’s the boss?”

Her eyes narrow as she takes a step back. The look on her face is completely at odds with the way she retreats. “Either way, I’m not a threat.”

“Ward, enough. Let the poor woman pass. I could use a refill,” Cas calls out.

She quirks an eyebrow as her face breaks out into a smirk.

I barely hold myself back from chuckling. She’s cute, but she’s wrong if she thinks she won something just now. Pulling my right thumb from my suspender, I gesture for her to go ahead.

Her hair flies around her face as she moves to grab the tray. A caramel and cream scent fills the air as she steps past me.

My nostrils flare, breathing her in.

Good God.

There are hints of cinnamon and something lightly fruity. It’s complex in a way my nose is obsessed with. My hands fist at my sides to keep from scooping her up so I can parcel out each of those notes. She collects the tray and sways her way toward Cas.

Well, this should be interesting.

“Another,” Cassian says without looking away from the table as he raises his glass. “This time, don’t poison my Scotch with ice.”

Annika snorts. It’s a beautiful name that I’m not sure fits her, but I did verify with the club security that she is an employee. Although, admittedly not a very good one. She’s been more enamored with Cas taking the house for all it’s worth than bothering to actually serve drinks properly.

I stretch back in my chair, watching her huff as she shoves herself off the stool.

I’m surprised the woman still has a job.

Then again, Cas’s head tilts as he watches her sway toward the bar in the corner. The slow smile that crosses his lips as they turn upward is concerning.

The suit who has been monitoring Cas’s play all night comes over, whispering something to the dealer.

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