Page 20 of Queen of Spades

“This is the last hand,” the dealer says, drawing Cas’s attention. “The floor will be closing.” The attendant returns to the wall.

Annika comes back without the drink Cas requested, and my head tilts.

“Sorry, Mr. Forbes,” she says, stopping at his side. “You’ve hit your drink maximum. The system locked me out from getting you that refill.”

Cas pastes on a playful smile. “Well, in that case, you should let me buy you a drink elsewhere, since Spades seems to be closing.”

She smiles back. “I heard you prefer blondes. I wouldn’t want to waste either of our time.” With that, she gives a weird little curtsy and takes off toward the doors.

Cassian’s eyes widen as they meet mine. I’m sure there’s a shit-eating grin all over my face.

I can’t remember the last time someone shut him down. If we weren’t supposed to be inserting ourselves into her life for a reason, I’d be downright giddy.

“What the hell was that?” Cas growls as we step out into the balmy Vegas night air. “Do you think she made us?”

“She clearly wasn’t impressed by you.” I bump my shoulder into his as I laugh. “She did pretty consistently shoot fuck me eyes my way when you weren’t looking. Maybe I’m more her type?”

The security guys fan out around us as several aim for the elevator to the parking garage. There’s no need for the five of us to be crammed into the elevator when they can pick us up on the way by.

Cas leans against the wall, shaking his head at the night sky. “She’s grown up since those pictures, which is crazy, since they’re only a year or two old. Not to mention, she smells fucking delicious.”

I quirk an eyebrow.

He’s not wrong.

She’s definitely grown into those killer cheekbones and the plush pink lips. There’s no doubt, she knows exactly how to flaunt the overexaggerated curves that signal her designation.

My eyes move to the end of the brick wall and past Cas. There’s a guy loitering, but something about the way he paces tickles at my instincts.

I’m not just here to assess threats for Cassian. It’s like second nature. Several women come down the alleyway that leads to the front of the club. He watches but doesn’t make a move. That means he’s waiting for someone in particular. They make it past us and aim for the parking garage.

My head tilts as he stomps along, spinning around and walking back in our direction.

“He’s probably blitzed out of his mind,” Cas says dismissively.

It’s entirely possible.

The club closed at two.

Any employees who don’t live on-site will be funneling to their vehicles. As will the remaining clubgoers.

“Where the fuck is Larry?” the guy growls, moving out of my line of sight to head down the alleyway.

“Fuck,” Cassian grumbles.

“You can stay here, princess. I’ll handle it.” I roll my shoulders back, looping my thumbs through my suspenders.

“Ahh, fuck you,” Cas snorts.

I’m not sure why my impulses are convinced the sweet yet spunky omega from the high-roller room is going to be involved. But I’m not shocked when I come around the corner to find the asshole pinning her to the brick wall with a hand around her throat.

My neck rolls from side to side as I take in the look of fear on her face. Yeah, my instincts don’t like that one bit. The overwhelming urge to remove his head from his shoulders washes over me from out of nowhere.

“I don’t know who Larry is, but kindly get your hands off of me,” Annika yelps, clawing at his arms.

“The guy I was with last night. He stuck around to ask you out. Only, he never made it back to our hotel. No one has seen him since,” the idiot growls.

“We all know Vegas is a dangerous place,” I call out, taking measured steps forward. “I wouldn’t be shocked if someone taught him a lesson, especially if his manners are similar to yours.”

---