Page 63 of The Laughing Game

“Hello, Angel,” Vihaal said, his gaze assessing. “Everything go okay this afternoon?”

“Yep. Just dandy,” I replied, hoping that would be the end of it.

Vihaal sighed, his gaze roaming over me.

“Did you follow my instructions?”

“Yes, Vihaal,” I admitted.

“Oh good. Then I don’t have to come up with another way to make you uncomfortable.”

I gave him a shocked look, but he simply smiled, and the warm affection in his gray eyes made me feel so good.

Gideon’s fingers curled around my shoulder as he leaned forward and kissed my ear.

“I’m glad you tried it. It’s not that bad, and it means we can play harder. I used one, too.”

Walking into Molly’s with them felt exciting. I felt so proud to be in their company. They were widely respected here at the club and probably everywhere else they were known.

When I hung up my overcoat, and Vihaal saw me in my form-fitting, plaid wool pants, paired with a loose, linen top, he put a hand on my shoulder to get me to stand still while he took it in.

“Angel. Oh yes. I think perhaps Gideon has found his true calling.” He turned to Gideon, who grinned with pride and pleasure. “You should be a personal shopper or a fashion consultant.”

“Hmm. I’ll have to consider it.” Gideon looked me over and sighed. “It’s so much fun dressing someone like Angel. And bringing out the gay that’s been hidden inside all this time.”

“Wait, what?”

“Sorry. I mean, bringing out the bi. Whatever.” Gideon gave me a look. “If you think you look straight in those pants, your more in denial than I thought.”

I laughed. “I wasn’t exactly trying to look straight, even when I thought I was. But is this how easy it is to come out?”

Gideon grinned. “I guess we’ll see.”

“It’s a shame you’re going to have to take it all off once we get to the Bordello,” Vihaal commented, giving me a voracious glance.

I followed Vihaal and Gideon to one of the free tables in the gaming parlor. Robin Webb, in his molly boy outfit, preened on stage, holding a microphone.

He squinted at us and spoke into it.

“Oh, hello! Is that Mr. Petrovsky and Mr. Foster?”

“Oh dear,” Vihaal muttered.

Gideon patted him on the ass. “We have a reputation, V.”

“I suppose so,” Vihaal mumbled, giving Robin a wave and sitting at the only free table.

“But who the fuck is that with you? Wait.Oh myGod.”

The other men in the room chuckled and everyone looked over at us.

“Is that Angel? Oh fuck, sorry. I mean, is that Mr. Barnett? No. It can’t possibly be.”

He was so fucking dramatic.

I waved and smiled.

Sebastian, who was at the piano, said into his microphone, “Robin, aren’t you supposed to be performing? Gossiping about the patrons isn’t what we pay you for.”

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