Page 83 of Scattered Glitter

Let’s hope I stillhave it.

The tourists titter, and I pretend to blush, even hunching my shoulders as if embarrassed. The dealer grins as he leans backward, completely unaware that I’m maneuvering the ace of hearts to the back of the stack. Once it’s there, I take a breath, letting my clumsiness vanish.

I flick my wrist, and the cards fly seamlessly from one hand to the other.

Hah!

The crowd gasps, and when they do, I quickly slip the ace of hearts out of the deck, palming it so that no one notices.

Flicking my gaze up, I see the moment the grifter’s grin morphs into a look of surprise as I follow up with another trick. I spread the cards between my hands, creating a cascading wave as they move fluidly from one palm to the other. Then I finish with a clean one-handed cut, flipping the top card into the air and catching it effortlessly before fanning the entire deck out in a perfect arc.

I can almost hear Ace praise me, and it pierces my heart.

“That’s my girl.”

Yet, I soak in the phantom words and let a smile form on my lips as the crowd starts to clap, some cheering, and the dealer’s jaw drops. I keep my smile easy, innocent, like I don’t know the weight of what I’ve done.

Handing his deck back casually, I nod. “That was fun, thanks.” Then I reach over and scoop up my winnings.

He seems stunned, his mouth opening and closing as he tries to find words, but I don’t stick around to hear them. I slip back through the crowd, my money in hand and the ace of hearts tucked securely in my back pocket.

Once I’m out of sight, I pull out my phone and snap a picture of the ace, sending it to the unknown number.

Was that a friend of yours? Because if you think he was good, I have to disappoint you.

A moment later, my phone vibrates with his answer.

Let’s keep this going.

Is he for real? That was fucking hard.

I can’t with this guy.

Of course, because a ‘well done’ would kill you.

You know Richard Belmont?

Everybody knows him. Richard Belmont is the owner of the Belmont Plaza, one of the biggest five-star hotels on the Strip. He’s famously horny and apparently an asshole.

Who doesn’t?

I want his phone number. Let’s see if you can charm your way into getting it.

Seriously? I don’t think you’re his type.

Let’s hope you are.

He’s married.

Sounds like a you problem.

I shake my head, an exasperated smile playing on my lips. This guy’s audacity, the pushing, it’s infuriating but also thrilling. It reminds me of the dares Ace and I used to give each other back in Phoenix, sneaking into places we didn’t belong just because we could, enjoying the pure thrillof it. This feels like that, a spark of the person I was back then.

My heart tightens as his voice echoes in my head once more.

“C’mon, Trouble, what’s the point of living if you’re not gonna have some fun?”

He’d say it, that cocky grin on his face, his eyes daring me to follow him into whatever reckless idea he had.

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