Page 54 of Savage Revenge

He hasn’t said a word, but he’s staring at me like I’m the only one in the room. Like he can’t look away even if he wanted to.

“Do you want to play?” Cash asks, leaning back in his chair.

A grin slides over my face, and I lift a brow. “Yes. And I don’t bluff.”

His eyes glitter at me using his words. After a second, he nods and tips his head to an empty seat. “Then come play, kitten.”

I pad into the room, and Cash smacks Beckett, so I can sit beside him. Beckett grumbles but slides to another seat, and part of me wants to sit next to Beckett just to poke the bear. The problem is, Cash wouldn’t hesitate to spank my ass right in front of his brothers, and that’s not a risk I’m willing to take.

“Good girl. I saw that naughty glint in your eye like you were plotting to do something you shouldn’t,” he whispers slowly into my ear when I sit down. “You made the right choice, though. I’m proud of you.”

My lips part as I turn my head slightly to meet his gaze, his praise replaying in my mind. A shiver runs up my spine, and I force myself to pull my eyes away. His three brothers are watching us. Hopefully, they aren’t as perceptive to the sexual tension between Cash and me as I am.

Beckett grins at me from across the table, and I can’t help but roll my eyes. I want to hate him, too, but he has this charisma that draws everyone to him, including me. I’d bet all the money in my bank that the guy is a total psychopath under all that fun-loving personality. But still, he doesn’t scare me.

I sit a few feet away from the round table, not wanting to chance getting food on it since it looks like it cost a small fortune, adorned with neon lighting, leather lining, and comfy armchairs surrounding it. The entire time they play their hand, I observe while I try like hell to eat my pasta in a ladylike manner. It’s a struggle not to inhale it because it’s so damn good and I’m so hungry.

When they end that game, I tell them to play another so I can finish my food. I also want to watch them for a few more hands. It’s always good to know what you’re up against.

It only takes a few minutes for me to know that Cash favors sevens and Beckett’s favorite suit is hearts. Kian clears his throat when he’s not bluffing. I can’t get a good read on Xander, though. The man is a tough nut to crack in general. Then again, they’re all obviously unhinged, considering they’re sitting here with their hostage while playing poker.

At one point, Cash goes to the bar in the corner of the room to get a drink. The entire room is set up elegantly, like one of the best casinos on The Strip only scaled down to this space, and it’s perfect.

He comes back with a short glass in one hand filled with whiskey and sets another tall glass in front of me that looks like ice water.

“Drink, baby. I read you need to stay hydrated after a migraine,” he murmurs while his brothers are in the middle of their own conversation.

I side-eye him and raise a brow. “I’ve been taking care of myself during and after my migraines for the past ten years.”

His jaw tenses, and he slides his gaze to me, his head tilted. “Are you going to keep talking back to me or are you going to obey your Daddy and drink your water?”

Gosh, it’s fun to irritate him. I really want to keep talking back to him. But once again, because I’m such a good girl, I stick my tongue out at him, then pick up my glass and take a big drink.

“Show me that tongue again and I’m going to assume you want my cock in your mouth, kitten. I kind of like the thought of that. You, on your knees under the table, sucking my dick while I play cards.”

I nearly spew water everywhere, but end up coughing instead. Beckett and Kian look at me with amused expressions while Xander looks irritated, like always. And Cash is just smiling like the smug motherfucker he is. God, he’s such an arrogant asshole.

Finished with my pasta, I set the bowl aside and turn my face to Cash expectantly. “Give me some money.”

When I hold out my hand, he looks at it, then up at my face. “Why would I give you money, kitten?”

“Because I’m being held hostage in your house and I want to kick your ass in poker, so give me some money.”

“I’ll give you some money, bombshell. How much do you want?” Beckett asks, pulling out ten thousand-dollar bundles of cash from under the table.

“You’re not giving her any money, asshole,” Cash snaps, pulling his own bundles of cash out from under the table. “The only money she’s taking is mine.”

Something sparks inside me at the possessiveness in his voice. I shouldn’t like that.

“Don’t worry, Lassie.” I smirk at Beckett. “I’m going to take your money, too.”

The man grins at me and winks. “Woof.”

“Jesus Christ,” Xander mutters, rubbing his forehead. “Beckett, just shut the fuck up and give her some chips.”

“How much do you want, kitten?” Cash asks as he continues handing me bundles.

“I’m going to leave this room with all of it, so I don’t really care how much you give me to start out with.”

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