Page 85 of Falcon's Prey

“Don’t lose.”

My hand came to her cheek. “Never.”

Once the word was out, I couldn’t take it back. I didn’t think, I just spoke, and it was the most real I had ever been with her, and with myself, but I knew it was true.

Ember gave me a nod, then fixed herself on my thigh, her head resting on my chest, and watched me play until it came down to a few players.

* * *

Pam was done playing.She was holding on to Zeke’s hand and laughing and smiling at all his words as if he were doing a comedy special.

“Last game of the night.” The dealer got working on the deck of cards. He then proceeded to lay out the rules and winnings. “Miss Ember, will you please stand up?”

My face stayed impassive as everyone’s eyes came to Ember. She turned to look at me, and I nodded. It was all the reassurance she needed. Years of not feeling shit came in handy when I wanted to jump and break everyone who salivated at the sight of Ember. She did a twirl, showing the players the goods, then came to sit down.

“Saw you in Bali a few months ago.” One of the guys spoke, his voice directed at Ember. “Called your name, but you never turned.”

Ember went stiff at his question. Like me, she wondered if he’d also noticed that wasn’t her.

“Sorry, I don’t speak to strangers.”

Another guy chuckled. “You just fuck them.”

“I always wanted to see if her pussy was made of diamonds,” someone else added.

Hypocrisy was real. I hated all these men talking down to Ember like this, but somehow it felt okay when I did it, because deep down, I was in awe of her.

“Everything you are thinking about her…” I let my words trail off as I put in my cut for this game, knowing we were one step closer to getting out of here and could afford the cut for the fight. “She’s so much better.”

Some men chuckled; others were already starting to undress her mentally. Ember’s penetrative gaze came toward me, but I couldn’t look at her right now. Not when the words I had just said were so much more than sex.

“Well, I can’t wait to have your bitch riding my dick tonight, Falcon.”

That English accent put every cell in my body on high alert. Everyone knew that the most crucial part of a plan was the unknown. Nothing was ever set in stone, variables were to be expected, but a wildcard fucked you over. My body went stiff, and the only one who noticed was Ember. She soothingly patted my leg.

I was so caught up with Ember, I never saw him play. My head turned slightly to where Pam held on to Zeke and noticed the bitch didn’t look at all surprised. I watched with keen eyes as Gideon took the empty seat that was across from me.

In my business, you tended to know everyone or at least had heard of them, and Gideon was someone I knew. He had a fondness for knives like I did. Where I liked to keep it clean and dry, Gideon made art with blood. He was too wild to be tamed. He wasn’t just lethal because he could kill a person; he was lethal because he wasn’t afraid. He got hired to do some of the most dangerous jobs. He was the person you wanted on your team if you were to do a suicide mission. The fucker never died.

The unhinged look was still in his amber eyes. In a lot of ways, we were similar, both light-skinned with light hair. Where I was a bit more muscular, he was leaner. He wore a suit. You could barely see the tattoos on his neck, but the ones on his hands and knuckles were visible.

In our profession, tattoos made us stand out or traceable if shit ever hit the fan. It was also pride and arrogance that led us to get some, proving to the world we fucked the system and we wouldn’t get caught.

“You’re a little far from home, G.” I gritted my teeth.

The bastard smiled at me. “Missed me, mate?”

Then his eyes went to Ember. Not like everyone else in the room. Not with lust, but with calculation.

“Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’m one hell of a ride.”

When he winked at her, I reminded myself to take deep breaths. As the game went on, I held on to Ember a little closer and tighter. She didn’t say anything; she just leaned back into me like she wanted me to shelter her from the world. For the first time all night, I didn’t think I could.

Between me and G, it was hard to tell who would survive.

The more players that folded, the more I regarded Gideon. My mouth made it to Ember’s head, kissing her, but I don’t know if I was reassuring her or myself. People were starting to leave now that the yacht had made it to the harbor. The game players who lost would begin to leave, and then it would take off again until dawn, and everyone looking to fuck and party would remain.

“Ren,” Ember whispered. “I’m scared.”

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