Page 98 of SINS & Temptation

“I’m out,” says His Royal Highness, angrily tossing his cards onto the table.

Pussy.

“Me, too,” the tech guy says.

I pass a glance at the virginal, wide-eyed beauty standing behind him.

Pity.

The Belgian twirls the edge of his mustache, deep in thought. Slowly, he nods to the attendant, who presents a solid gold chip with the imprint of a jet on it.

Considering I’m pretty sure his hand consists of at least one numbered card—probably a three—I nearly come on the spot at the thought of his jet being mine.

Or maybe it’s my Bella’s hand sliding across my shoulder. She’s asking for a punishment.

She’s about to have that red fucking dress ripped off her and have her soft skin and toned body slammed up against the nearest wall until she’s begging for mercy and finally realizes once and for all who’s boss.

I am.

And all I need is to hear her say so while I’m driving into that sweet, tight body of hers.

One last good fuck is exactly what I need. To fuck her out of my system.

For good.

Ever the cock blocker, Uncle Andre clears his throat, snapping me from my millionth fantasy of her today.

I cast a wary glance at him as he pretends to thoroughly inspect his cards...as if the past three minutes have magically changed his hand. I raise a brow. “Well?”

With feigned nonchalance, he taps his cards on the table before shoving his stack of chips into the center.

A smirk graces my lips. “You seem to be a bit short.” Like the rest of all five-foot-three of him.

“Not exactly.” Andre’s meaty hand slaps an envelope onto the table.

The chips lose all their luster against the crisp parchment pouch.

It’s about goddamned time. I kick around his request. “How many?”

“Just one,” he says, eagerly adding, “You’ll like her in this pose. It’s one of my favorites.”

I study my hand carefully, my face a mask of composure. Any allegiance I had to my father’s brother died so long ago that I don’t remember it at all.

Briefly, I consider lighting the envelope on fire and shoving it up his ass. I know nobody here would waste a drop of sweat, spit, or piss to put it out.

As if reading my mind, he adds, “Your new favorite.”

I love dirty secrets. They make the best leverage. Too bad this time the secrets are Bella’s, and the leverage is my life.

Before I can stop myself, I hold the envelope up to the light, the shadow of its contents a subtle threat to my composure.

With a calculated move, I secure the envelope in my breast pocket. “Consider this one a gift. But if I win, I get them all. Every last one.”

Uncle Andre takes a sip of his aged whiskey, his grin souring as he speaks. “Fine. And if I win, you owe me.”

I owe him? The words grate against my skin like sandpaper on an open wound. I know why he wants this. I’m the biggest thorn in his side, and he wants a blank check. Me, with an electric leash around my neck.

So be it. Anything for my wife. But I won’t make it easy.

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