Page 13 of Underground Prince

“This crowd?”

He glanced at his watch, seemingly satisfied, because he folded his arms across the bar. “Here, you’re dealing with the small timers. Two hundred dollar buy-in, Texas Hold ‘Em.”

I nodded like I heard this all the time.

“Low buy-in usually means a younger crowd. Twenties and thirties, college guys. Tips for you won’t be as good here, and neither will the players.” He leaned forward, and automatically I met him halfway. “Wait until you see the real stakes.”

“You mean I’m not going to get hauled out of here, told never to return due to my incessant need to cause such a clatter?”

He laughed, a bright, short chuckle. “I see you’ve noticed my super-serious, dark lord glares cast in your direction.”

I shrugged, pretending he hadn’t intimidated me in the least.

“Please.” He flapped a hand at me. “That’s me playing a part.”

“Well,” I said, laughing, “You’re not so bad at it.”

“I must admit, it’s tough to compete with the master of demons beside me.”

I’d be an idiot not to know who he was a referring to. “Sax?”

His lips fluttered with his sigh, either of frustration or admiration or both. “Theo Saxon. The enigma that he is.” Kai dropped his chin in his hand. “But scary as shit.”

“Come now,” I said, bending to his level. “You’re at least getting some points by association.”

“So long as he doesn’t stab me with his mind. Did you see how Sax sat to the left of me a few nights ago?”

“Yeah. Sure.”

“It shows his status. He’s there to be the lead—the first player to bet in the pot.”

I hmm’d like I knew where Kai was going with this.

“It gives him a position of skill. Sax’s job as part-owner of the House is to raise the stakes. Keeps the hands exciting and the players interested. Everyone’s seat is strategic. At least, those that are serious about this.” He motioned to a man who slipped into the room from the balcony, a tall guy with a tiny paunch to his stomach. “Alex there likes to sits across from the best player—Sax—so he doesn’t have to get in as many pots with him. And see the one that followed him in?” Kai pointed to the man who’d been eating chicken wings all night. “Others like to hang around Carl once they get a read. Fish like that, you want to have a position on him throughout.”

“Are you explaining to our new employee that I’m a hired hand?” a low voice asked.

My palm hit the table, scattering my tiny pile of chips the instant I heard Theo speak.

“Hey, Sax!” Kai said, smiling wide. Before this moment, I never knew it was possible that a person could cringe with their teeth. “Thought I’d help the new girl out. Explain the House strategy and all that…”

I scanned Theo head to toe as he stood between Kai and me. “Do you usually materialize like a vampire behind people when joining conversations?”

Kai tensed, looking to Theo, but Theo only responded with a closed-mouth smile.

“Next time stomp your feet. Or clap. Jazz fingers. Something,” I said and held up a chip. “I nearly broke my fun money in half.”

“Mm,” Theo said, taking the chip from me and threading it through his fingers. “Wait until it says one thousand on its face instead of one dollar. Then losing it might not be so…fun.”

The chip disappeared from his hand, because clearly this doomsday-serious man also had to be a magician. “Hey! That’s my—”

“How’re things on the high end?” Kai asked.

“Fine,” Theo said, still considering me. Daring me to make a move. I wondered what he’d do if I just shoved a hand into his pants’ pocket à la Ollie.

“You owe me a dollar,” I said. Theo’s response was to narrow that honey butter gaze of his.

“So…” Kai clucked his tongue, the sound piercing the headiness ringing around us, rendering my eyes to Theo’s, keeping them there. “You buying in this round?”

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