Page 99 of Devotion

“He wouldn’t dare.” Fear. Real fear. Which means…

“You know how far hisreachis. And his close relationship with the Lyras.” Anyone who knows anything about the Greek assassins knows to fear them.

The auctioneer swallows hard, glancing back and forth between us.

So, he doesn’t know a thing about Pyotr. The invasion. Only that he’s come into some old trophies as a result. Well played, my love.

Only that kinda leaves us back at square one.

“We seem to be at an impasse. I cannot just allow you to leave.” He glowers down at me.

Vanya gambled. Now it’s my turn.

“You’re a purveyor of chance, and a good one. So let’s play a game,” I interject before the threats and tension can escalate into something unfortunate for us.

“What do you propose?” His eyes narrow.

Ha! Got him.

“A bet, a game. Anything you want.”

“The stakes?”

“If you win, you keep all of my winnings, my deposit, and I’ll even throw in a littleextra.” I wink, nodding to Vanya. I pray she goes along with this for now. Her nostrils flare, but she stays silent. “She’s a beauty, isn’t she?”

His eyes sparkle, his mouth twitches in a sick smile. “You would trade Pyotr Sokolov’s daughter for your freedom? Don’t make me laugh.”

“Fuck, I meant like anightwith her, you wacko.” Choose my cards, place my bet. Now I wait to see if he folds.

The regal man’s head tips back, a pompous laugh echoing in the room. “Such an indecent proposal. You Americans have gall, I will give you that.”

The guards laugh along with him, elbowing each other and eyeing Vanya.

“Can’t blame a guy for trying. Even a man such as yourself must getlonely.” I raise my eyebrows suggestively, biting my lip.

The four guards behind me can’t see my expression.

The auctioneer shakes his head slowly, but I catch it, the slightest flinch of his eyes down my half-unbuttoned shirt.

“Leave us,” he announces, waving his hand. The guards hesitate for a moment, then file out. As soon as they’re gone, I stand, smiling at our host.

“What do you say? Shall we play?” I step closer, putting on my most sultry stare. “Can you really pass up those stakes?”

“You arelovely. And devious.” The man scoffs, his mouth curling. “As tempting as seeing you lose all of that money is and…other things, what makes you think I would share any information with you? What keeps me from just taking your winnings? I will not simply cave because you figured out my secret.”

“How often does a man of yourtastesget an opportunity like this?” Vanya huffs, indulging my gambit.

“You know I cannot.”

“Then I guess we have you by the balls,” she drolls.

“Perhaps. But I too have a card unplayed. Isn’t that right,Mr.Diamante?”

Well, shit.

But I’m not done yet.

“You really do have a full house. But I’ve got a royal flush. How do you think your clients would feel if they found out a member of the Diamante family walked right into your casino and took you for one hundred million dollars and the contents of your safe. Last I heard, you were holding onto some pretty pricey items for the sheikh of Dubai…” Nowthatis how you gamble.

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