Page 66 of Twisted Games of Revenge

The energy of the casino pulses around us as our group approaches the high-stakes tables, watching players join the games, the air dense with anticipation and the scent of pricy perfume. I’m not surprised to see that our personal invitation to Dr. Northgate has been accepted, and there he sits, amongst the assembled group at a Texas hold’em poker table, looking quite pleased with himself already. His sharp features and assessing stare make it clear; he sees himself as a shark amongst the other players, ruthless and competent. He believes he’s here to win big tonight. If only he could sense his impending doom like I can. The chilling weight of how his life is about to change.

Enzo joins me, standing at my side. A small smirk paints my lips as I lean into him, knowing now is the time to strike and put my plan into action. “You have been friends with Dr. Northgate a long time?” I ask, waiting patiently for his reaction as the first hand of cards is dealt.

“A very long time.” He nods slowly, his gaze fixed on the players, their intense focus mirrored in his own eyes.

“Oh.”

Abruptly, his attention shifts to me, a noticeable change in his manner. His brow furrows, suspicion etched deep into his face as his eyes narrow in my direction. “Why do you ask, Vivian?”

“It’s probably nothing.” I shift my eyes down to the carpeted floor below us. “But you did tell me to come to you if I heard anything.” I glance back up at him, unsure. “This could be important. I don’t know.” I shake my head. “It’s just something his wife said at that high tea Valentina invited me to. And watching him now, I just have this sinking feeling.”

His eyes narrow further, focusing intently on me in a way that makes me feel small, a glint of something unreadable in their depths. “If you have information, speak, girl.”

I let out a heavy sigh. I want him to think I’m torn about revealing this information to him. “He’s got a real gamblingproblem. Like, I think he and Susanne might be about to lose it all. You know, one more bad decision and poof, it’s all gone. Every damn thing he’s worked so hard for. Years of climbing the ranks at the hospital. I just thought as his friend, you might want to know.”

He rolls his lips before responding, and I wonder what’s going through his mind. But I just laid the foundations I need to destroy another one of his inner circle. And after what happened at The Flamingo Hotel the other night, we need to move quickly on this. “I’ll keep an eye on him tonight.”

He lowers his head closer to mine, watching Alessandro as he moves around the room chatting to some of the other invited patrons as he does. “How’s your latest task going? Is Alessandro on board yet?”

With a tilt of my head, I sweep my fingers through my short bob, tucking it behind my ear. “You know what, Enzo, I think he just might be. I did what you suggested, and it worked like a charm.” I place a hand on his chest, disgust permeating right through me as I make contact. “You know that boy so well.” I laugh playfully.

His lips curl up at the corner. I’m playing right into his ego, and he’s taking the bait, hook, line, and sinker. “If only all the people who work for me were as efficient as you, Vivian.”

When Alessandro has had enough of me talking with his papa, the boys invite me to play a couple of games, their boisterous laughter echoing around me as they excitedly gather around the roulette wheel. But I’m too distracted watching the determined doctor to really join in.

There is what feels like a dramatic pause throughout the entire crowd, and I turn to see what everyone is looking at, as a stunning blonde woman and a hulk-like dude walk through the front door. They stride toward us, and I realize it’s Sloanewearing a mask. Immediately my heart races, knowing she wouldn’t come to the casino unless it was something urgent.

She hooks her arm with mine. “Let’s get a drink,” is all she says, directing me away from the boys, and I leave with her immediately. I can feel Geovani close behind us, but she doesn’t seem to mind him. “Don’t you answer your phone?”

I pull my phone out of my bag and find fifteen missed calls from her. “Shit, sorry.”

“Myriah is just as bad. She’s around here somewhere, isn’t she?”

I motion to the craps table where Myriah has been for most of the night with a blond hunk.

Sloane looks unimpressed, and I get it. She had to come all the way down here because we didn’t answer our phones. I order two espresso martinis from the young server, and he makes them quickly. We take our drinks to a quieter corner of the casino. I stare down into my drink, wondering why I bought this tonight. Normally they’re a favorite, but the smell is turning my stomach. Must just be nerves with everything we have going on tonight. I take a sip, the bitterness overwhelming my taste buds.

“Is he watching us?” she asks over her shoulder to Geovani and Onyx when we make it to the table.

“Sure is,” Geovani answers, his eyes lingering on me in a way that tells me he’s ready for a fight. He has been since that detective was killed, on edge in a way that kind of scares and excites me at the same time. Ready to start a riot in my honor.

I return my attention back to Sloane. Even though she is wearing a mask, I can see her turmoil. “What’s going on? That strange look on your face and your silence is making me nervous.”

“Laugh,” she instructs me instead of answering my question.

And I do without even thinking, throwing my head back like she said something hilarious.

“Good, keep that shit up, make it look like we’re having fun. Geo, block our view with Onyx as best you guys can. I have to talk to Viv without him seeing too much.”

Geovani drops his arms around both our shoulders playfully, and the big dude hovers a little farther back from us. We look like four friends having a fun night out.

“We’re good,” Onyx mutters.

Sloane’s eyes find mine. “Malachai managed to get audio on Enzo. You’re in more trouble than you think, sis. He’s watching everything you do. And he has only increased his measures since the mayor died. Not just you, but the boys as well. It was him who set up the murder of your detective contact. A male voice I didn’t recognize told him all he needed to know, someone he trusts thoroughly. They are conspiring to drive Alex out, that’s why he’s pushing for him to run for mayor, make him too busy to run the family business. He no longer trusts any of you, not even the boys, no matter what he says to your face. If you’re still going through with your plan this evening, you need to get Enzo out of here.”

“Fuck,” Geovani growls, his fists clenched.

“We’re not backing out now,” I mutter, glancing at him. I know what he’s thinking, that this is too dangerous and we should all just go postal now and murder them all, but tough shit. It’s happening my way whether he likes it or not.

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