Page 29 of High Roller

“Look, the fact is, I can’t let you leave,” Matteo says. “Not without some kind of information about your husband. And I am loath to kill an innocent woman. Which means you’re our prisoner until further notice. Now that can look like staying in a luxury room here at the club, or I can take you somewhere much less pleasant and lock you in a cage. The choice is yours.”

I raise an eyebrow at Matteo. He’s not one to promote violence or the mistreatment of a prisoner. That tells me he’s ready to get to the bottom of what has been plaguing us for nearly two years.

“I’ll stay here, Mr. Bennett. Or should I say, Trentini? I recognize when I’m outnumbered.”

Matteo’s knuckles turn white as he grips the edge of the desk. “How do you know who I am?”

“I pay attention to who my husband’s enemies are. It seems like it might serve me well someday. Perhaps that day is here sooner than I expected.”

“It’s not like you have a lot of options, Mrs. Draven,” Matteo says. How he’s keeping his voice so calm, I’m not sure, but I’m grateful that he’s taking the lead right now.

“Oh, that’s where you’re wrong. I always have plenty of options. I was fully aware of who I was marrying, and I’ve made sure to keep options in my back pocket. Something tells me the women in your lives have done the same.”

The three men in the room with me stiffen at the mention of their wives and girlfriends. If there’s one thing she’ll need to learn, it’s not to bring them into the conversation. Skylar, Bellamy, and Zara are all strong women in their own right, and have their own wants, desires, and passions, and the men they fell in love with protect them with their lives.

“Oh. I’ve touched a nerve. I apologize,” she says in a soft tone that almost sounds sincere.

“Enough of this bullshit. Take her back to the suite. She’s not going to talk,” Matteo says.

“You’ve barely asked me a question. How could I possibly talk?”

She kind of has a point, but if I say that to Matteo, he might end me.

“Then tell us something, anything that might get Phineas off our backs,” I urge.

“Don’t let him find out you’ve kidnapped his wife?” she asks, batting her eyelashes. When Matteo steps toward her, she holds up her hands. “Forgive me. I would say go after his mother. To be honest, I doubt he’ll miss me all that much. But you fuck with his mom’s career as mayor of this town, and he’ll pay attention.”

I raise an eyebrow. That’s actually helpful information.

“Now you can take me back to the suite because I have no intention of giving you anything else tonight. Not until you’ve proved you’ll keep me safe if I help you.”

Matteo gives me a nod, and I pick up the leash. “Are you going to walk like a good girl, or do I need to carry you again?”

“I’ll walk,” she murmurs.

Something has changed in the last few minutes, and I wish I were inside her head.

As we walk to the suite, she speaks. “Tell me about Gracie.”

I raise an eyebrow at her. “What’s to tell? She works for us, and that’s all the information you need.”

“It’s clear you’re sweet on her, and she has it bad for you.”

I jerk her leash hard until she comes to a complete stop, and I put my nose against hers. “It would serve you well not to meddle while you’re here.”

The damn woman smirks but doesn’t continue her line of questioning.

“I’m curious about needles. Do you think I could watch your scene with Gracie?”

I frown. “That will be up to Gracie. I’ll ask when we talk in a few minutes. For now, you wait here quietly.”

After I deposit her in the suite and lock the door, I go in search of Gracie. I find her sitting with Bellamy and Tobias in the bar, who are apparently waiting for Owen before they play.

As I approach, the smile on her face slides, and I realize she’s worried about the punishment I promised her. With Lili’s voice in my head, guilt settles in my chest, but I crook my finger and motion for her to come to me.

She’s quick to obey since we’re in the presence of other club members, but she doesn’t have the pep in her step that she usually does.

I stroke a finger down her cheek when she stands in front of me and offer her a small smile.

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