Page 48 of Destined To Fall

I shake my head and walk on, wanting to be done with this conversation.“I found something I’m good at. I excel at it. It’s something I actually enjoy most days, and it pays through the roof. How many professionals do you know who can say the same?”

“And your parents?”

“Oh, yes.They must be so proud,” I scoff.“They wouldn’t give a damn if I wasPresidentof the United States because it wasn’t what they chose for me. I answer to no one but myself. My life, my choices.”

I come to an abrupt stop at the end of the hall and knock on the only door. It swings open seconds later, and we’re met with Skeeze and his slimy grin.

“It’s good to see you both. You’re right on time. I hope you brought your cash.”

Our game faces are instantly in place as Max steps forward and opens his coat, showing the stash of cash in his pockets. He did come prepared.

“Very good. Come on in. You can cash that in for chips in the corner. And what about you? Candy, was it?”

“You remembered my name—that’s so sweet.” And a little unnerving.

“Never forget a pretty lady.” He leers at me.

Gag.I just smile sweetly.

“Don’t fancy playing with the big boys?”

A retort is right on the tip of my tongue, almost burning with the need to put him in his place. Instead, I swallow it down.“I like big boys, but I’m all full-up.” I wink at Max, and he manages a watered-down smile in return.

Skeeze laughs, but it’s cringe-worthy and sets my nerves on edge.

“I’ll be quiet as a mouse if you let me watch. I like to watch.”

“Do you, now? And here I was thinking you’d be more the watchee.”

“Oh, ha ha. That’s clever.”Kill. Me.

“Take a seat.” He points to a chair just shy of the poker table, already three-quarters full of players.

“Thank you.” I smile and head for the chair, ignoring the leers directed my way.

This is going to be a long, long night.

I’ve been struggling to pay attention for the last three or four hours, only doing enough to gather the bare minimum of what’s happening, who’s winning, and who’s losing. I should be far more present, but I’m all up in my head. It’s gotten to the point where I’ve had enough of stewing, and I want out. It’s time to leave.

“Baby?” I lean forward, my cleavage on display for all to see, and halt Max’s next play.“I’m getting kinda sleepy.” I bite my lip coyly and run my tongue over the seam, hoping mysubtlemessage is coming across loud and clear. It’s now or never.

Max’s mouth quirks in understanding, and he turns back to the players, now withaslightly glazed-overexpression. I lean forward and slide my hand over his thigh, squeezing firmly, sending my final message.

“Well, you heard the little lady. It’s time for bed,” Max says with a gleam in his eyes I didn’t know he had in him and pushes all his chips forward, going all in.

I giggle and cover my mouth with my hand. Max turns back to me, seeming to give me all his attention. But I know better. The vein in his neck pulsates, no doubt in time with the rampant thoughts racing through his mind.

Chuckles and a fewlucky bastardsfilter through the room, but Skeeze’s beady eyes just stare, boring into me. Two of the men fold, unprepared or unable to match the bet. Two start counting chips, and Skeeze watches. Always watching. It could be anyone’s game with a king, ten, nine, and two eights on the table, yet it won’t be.

“Twenty K, all in?”

Max directs his gaze to Skeeze and nods.“Yeah, that sounds about right.”

The other two players put their chips in and look at Skeeze. He slides his chips across the table, an unreadable mask on his slimy face.“Call.”

I fight the urge to bite my lip in anticipation, already knowing the outcome in my head. That’s more than eighty grand, right there. One by one, Max turns his cards over. First the jack, then the queen.

Game, set, and match.

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