Page 227 of Plaything

Nodding in understanding, he thought for a few seconds before pressing his lips together. “Does that mean you’re susceptible to suggestions?”

“Yes,” I breathed out in relief. “Besides the obvious lack of diversity and blatant sexism in partners and employees... I know nothing about what else needs changing,” I ranted.

His smirk grew as I rambled. “So you do have a plan,” he pointed out. “That’s actually a great start—assuming you’re terminating certain partnerships off the bat, there will be new opportunities for additional—better—partnerships that will be more profitable. A few suppliers have already asked if you’re looking to rebrand.”

He was right. The first thing I planned on doing was cutting off all business ties to men like Lestat. The business profits would take a temporary hit, but Niko ran the numbers, showing they’d hurt much more than Whitlock Enterprises. I needed to do it even if it was a bad business move. I couldn’t live with myself if I had to work with any of those pigs.

“It sounds like you just offered your expertise,” Dominic joined in.

Vincent’s smile reached his red eyes. “Whatever you need, Kid,” he said. “It’ll take time, but you’ve got a lot of people rooting for you.”

It brought a great deal of comfort knowing I’d have Vincent’s support and someone to go to for advice who I trusted. “Thank you.”

“It’s not that serious. One of you just lose!” Wyatt groaned. “It’s one in the morning,” he added, waking me up.

My eyes shot open, darting around the dining room. I didn’t know when I zonked out, but I was still in Dominic’s lap at the table. When Wyatt and I came back inside, it was nearly midnight, so I’d been out for at least half an hour.

Dominic kissed the side of my head, realizing I woke.

“You could forfeit,” Reesia suggested with a snarky upturn of her mouth.

“And let you win?” Niko shot back. “The stakes are a little too high for giving up—thank you,” he dismissed.

“Stakes? Did you bet on something?” Wyatt questioned.

I thought they were playing for bragging rights.

Jamie gasped. “That’s right! You two were outside when they negotiated,” she announced excitedly.

“Negotiated?” I repeated. “What are you playing for?”

“Don’t worry about it; she’s not winning,” Niko huffed, clearly frustrated that they were still even.

“You sound scared,” Reesia smirked. Turning her attention to me, she smiled. “If he wins, I promised never to flirt with you again. When I win, I get to make-out with you for a whole minute while he watches,” she explained innocently.

My mouth dropped open as I shot daggers at Niko. “You agreed to that?!” I asked in disbelief. I didn’t particularly care about kissing Reesia; it wouldn’t mean anything. But I was beyond shocked that Niko would even consider those terms.

“What are you fucking around for? Win,” Wyatt badgered.

Counting cards in a two-player game of Texas Holdem wasn’t helpful—there weren’t enough cards to count. They were both playing on luck. It was anyone’s game.

“Working on it,” Niko waved Wyatt off. “Also, I didn’t agree right away,” he defended. “I’ve got a chance to end the constant flirting that drives me up the wall—of course, I took it,” he said like it was obvious. His accent turned slightly more Spanish than it usually was. He was worried...

While Niko struggled to defend himself, Reesia was applying lipgloss, quietly grinning to herself.

She was much more intelligent than she let on. More than that, she was disturbingly skilled at manipulating others to get what she wanted.

“This could go on forever,” Aiden said, sitting up in his seat. “I propose one more round, all or nothing. Both of you go all in with the cards you’re dealt,” he suggested. “So we can go home,” he added.

“What if I get bad cards?” Reesia scoffed. “That’s stupid.”

“No,” Niko shot down.

“What’s the worst that’ll happen? They kiss?” Dominic sighed while eyeing Niko.

Niko widened his eyes and laughed humorlessly. “Uh, yeah!”

“I’m not into girls, Niko. She’s not going to steal me,” I promised. I knew that was what he was so worried about. There truly wasn’t a chance.

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