Page 9 of Castle's Cards

Chapter Three

Carter

I’msittinginachair across from Court’s desk, discussing Victor.

“I’ve told Victor that he can come back tonight. Do you think you can manage not to antagonize him for one night?” Court eyes me.

“He was cheating, Court, what was I supposed to do?” I ask, watching the cars pass by the window. “I don’t know if today is the right day to let him back. It’s Addy’s first night working a tournament.

“What does it being Addy’s first night have to do with anything? I’m trying to run a business here, and there’s no proof of him cheating last night. The only person who saw anything is you, and considering how much trouble you caused last time you said someone was ‘cheating’ I’m not overly inclined to simply take your word for it.”

Court looks at me, clearly remembering the problem we had with Rhys Barker.

“Whatever. So Rhys wasn’t cheating. He was an asshole, anyway. But Victoris.”

“It’s not up to you to decide. If you continue to cause problems here I’ll have to banyou, which is something I really don't want to do. So clean up your act. Can you do that?”

I cross my arms and make a face at him.

“Sure.”

I won’t intentionally cause problems. Not on Addy’s first night. She deserves this to go well since she’s in charge of running the tourney.

The dimly lit room is filled with the hushed murmurs of anticipation as the high-stakes poker game commences. The weight of every card in my hand highlights their importance, each card the key to my victory or defeat. Addy, the woman who is capturing my heart, stands in the center of it all, determination on her face. She is the hostess of this poker tournament, and her presence alone adds an electric energy to the atmosphere.

As the game progresses, I find myself stealing glances at Addy whenever I can. Her radiant smile, and the way her eyes light up when she moves from table to table, it all mesmerizes me. All of the men here follow her every move and the soft swing of her hips and glimmering hair.

Even though I want to ignore them, I can’t help watching the way she captures their attention. The way their eyes linger a little too long, their gazes filled with a mix of desire and curiosity. It's as if they can't resist the magnetic pull she exudes, drawing them in like moths to a flame. And I can't blame them, not really.

Addy is a force to be reckoned with, a woman who effortlessly commands attention wherever she goes. The way they watch her bothers me; there's something possessive in their eyes, a hunger that goes beyond mere attraction. It's as if they want to claim her, to possess her in every sense of the word. And it infuriates me because I want to be the one who claims her, who possesses her heart and soul.

I’ve watched all day as the men in the club try to impress her, vying for her attention with their flashy gestures and empty promises. They think they can win her over with material possessions and superficial charm.

I have more to offer than material things. I sense we already have a deep connection, genuine moments of vulnerability that she craves. These men don’t impress her. I can tell from the frown on her face.

But still, I can't shake the feeling of unease when I see those other men looking at her. It's a constant battle between my desire to protect her and my fear of losing her before she’s even mine. I want to shield her from their predatory gazes, to save her from the world that sees her as nothing more than an object of desire. Yet, I also know that she is more than capable of taking care of herself, of making her own choices.

It takes everything within me to remind myself that she is not an object to be won or possessed. She is a person, with her own thoughts, dreams, and desires. And if she chooses someone else, I have to respect that. It's not easy, though. The thought of her in someone else's arms, someone else's heart, is enough to make my blood boil.

I don’t even have a right to feel that way. All I can do is hope that she knows what's best for herself. That she can see through the superficiality of these men, and find a person who truly understands and appreciates her. And if that person happens to be me, then I'll consider myself the luckiest man alive. But if it's not, then I'll have to find a way to accept it, to let go of my possessive desires and wish her nothing but happiness.

My attention is abruptly diverted as Victor enters the room. Addy smiles pleasantly, not knowing who Victor is. My mouth still aches from his punch, but my bravado from yesterday seems to be all dried up.

Now, I can only feel the strong need to keep Addy safe. Victor is a man who isn’t afraid to lash out. The game continues, moving forward, and I’m watching Victor. With Addy here, I want to put some space between the two of them. Despite my telling Addy that Victor didn’t cheat, I did catch him once. I didn’t tell Court, even though I know I should have.

“Howdy, little lady. I’d like to join this game.” Victor grins at Addy, his mustache moving with every word.

“Of course. Name?”

“Victor Siegle.”

I watch Addy’s eyes alert, realizing who she’s talking to. She nods and writes his name down.

A few rounds are played, and I watch Addy’s eyes slide to Victor as she draws loser to the table at which he’s playing. She narrows her eyes at him and calls Cade over to his table.

“Stop play, please” she says to the dealer. All of the players look up at her. “Mr.Siegle. Turn over your cards, please.”

“What? Why?” he asks, his tone becoming belligerent.

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