Page 72 of Vengeful Guard

“Call,” he says in a low tone that makes goosebumps pop along my flesh.

I grin, lying down my cards. “Full house.”

Kael groans, and I’m sure he’s going to fold, but then a crooked grin spreads across his stupid, handsome face.

He lays down his cards. “Four aces.”

I yelp, glaring at him. “I want to believe that you’re too loyal to me to cheat,” I muse. “But?—”

“I'm not loyal to you,” Kael blurts out, frowning. “I’m loyal to your father.”

I wave a hand dismissively. “Same thing.”

“It’s not the same.”

I raise an eyebrow. He’s being so weird about an offhand comment.

“Fair enough. Show me your sleeves, then.”

He snorts, looking down at himself in a short-sleeved T-shirt. “Where do you think I’m hiding the cards?”

“I don’t know. You could be sneaky.”

“Besides, you’re the one that begged me. Why would I randomly have extra cards on me?”

I huff out a frustrated breath. “I don’t know. Like I said, you could be sneaky.”

Kael barks out a laugh. “You really don’t like losing, do you, princess?”

“Stop calling me that,” I mutter.

I don’t like the way my body responds when he does.

He hums. “What would you rather I call you? Kiddo? Babydoll?”

My cheeks burn, and I look away from him. “How about Paige?”

“All right, Paige.” He chuckles. “You want another hand, or are you too scared?”

“Scared? Who’s scared?"

“You. Scaredy-cat.”

“You better not make that a thing.” I frown, leaning forward.

He’s grinning, and I wish I could wipe the smile off his face or kill him with my glare.

“Then play another hand with me.”

“I thought you didn’t want to play!”

He shrugs. “Changed my mind. I like winning.”

“Of course, you do,” I mumble under my breath. “Fine. Another hand.”

Kael deals the cards swiftly, and I can’t stop looking at his long, tapered fingers. He could have been a pianist or a guitarist in another life. Instead, he’s a gangster. Funny how life works and what you get born into.

If I hadn’t been born into this life, I never would have gotten almost kidnapped, and I wouldn’t have Kael sitting across from me and winning against me at poker.

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