Page 18 of Gamble with Me
"Of course," I whispered.
With a heavy feeling growing in my chest and nervousness in my entire body, I prepared everything I needed and waited for players to show up. They were scattered outside at the roulette, drinking and laughing, not caring about anyone else but alcohol and half-naked ladies around them.
I knew three of the men from TV. One was a politician, and two others were successful businessmen. They were throwing money around like it was no big deal to lose thousandsof dollars, and we were here to encourage them on their journey to spend their monthly profits.
I rolled my eyes when I realized they lost more in an hour than I earned in a year, but it was the world's injustice. Maybe a higher education would've gotten me somewhere else. Then, I wouldn't have to act like I was pleased by their company, sexist comments, and drunk opinions. Sometimes, this job was like a punishment for the sins I committed in a previous life.
"Evening, ladies."
I raised my head to look into the gorgeous, stoic face of one of Zhumagulovs, thinking it surely wasn't Dorian. His smile, even slightly insane, was contagious. This man didn't move a muscle. Zyon's eyes were darker, and he had a scary tattoo on his neck, so it had to be Malin.
"Good evening." Tasha smiled, signing the last paper for the economic department. "Just in time for an autograph session."
She turned a pile of papers in his direction and handed him a pen. He looked at it as if he wanted to throw up but signed everything in one go.
"Have you received money, Tasha?" he asked, returning the black pen with the casino logo to her.
"Yes, Mr. Zhumagulov. Thank you, but it wasn't necessary," she replied, slowly standing up.
"He saved Zyon's life," Malin pointed out, confirming my guess, and I quietly watched them, hungry for any information about the attack.
"You understand the relationship between Richard and Mr. Zee better than I ever will. And you know he would never accept that kind of money for his services."
"He tried to refuse," a deep voice announced from the door. I turned in the direction of Zyon entering the room. My heart skipped a few beats in a row when my eyes landed on him. "I visited him. He didn't have a choice but to agree. You're giving birth soon, Tasha. You can't work till the last day."
"Are you kicking me out already?" She pouted, caressing her belly, and a smile appeared on Zyon's face, knocking the air out of my lungs. It was absolutely different from the sinister grin I had seen before. It was kind and complemented by a loving look in his dark eyes. He deeply cared for this woman, and a pinch of jealousy nested in my chest.
"No. You can stay as long as you want, but we both know it won't be long." He glanced at her belly, crossing his arms over his chest. The black sweater he wore barely held together over his broad shoulders. "You must rest and prepare for the big arrival."
"Okay, okay. I'm leaving," she sighed theatrically, gathering all her papers. "Valeria is in charge tonight." She winked at me and dramatically left the room with Malin helping her with the bag and other stuff.
"Good evening, Mrs. Kellerman," Zyon said, eyeing my sitting position, and I squirmed nervously. Blood rushed to my face when my mind reminded me of what I had done in the privacy of my bedroom with his name on my lips. "It's a pleasure to meet you again."
"Good evening," I replied, trying for a polite tone.
"Prepared for tonight?" He lifted an elegant eyebrow at me, his black eyes not leaving my flushed face. Embarrassment filled my body, but he couldn't know why, yet the glint in his pupils gave me chills.
"I hope there won't be any surprises," I stated cryptically, shooting him a knowing smile. He chuckled and came closer to me.
"You deserve a little excitement in your life, Valeria," he uttered in a voice so low I wasn't sure I heard him. I instantly imagined him whispering some sweet nonsense into my ear after we made love.
How pathetic was I? Fuck!
"I have a man in my life who excites me just right," I snapped, sounding more attacking than intended.
"Interesting." He sat on the chair reserved for him, placing his forearms on the table next to mine. The sleeves on his cashmere thousand-dollar sweater were rolled up, exposing his tattoos. I was always a sucker for strong arms, and his were perfect. "Why would you think I was talking about that kind of excitement?"
My heart clenched in my chest, but I didn't let him push me into the corner with his remarks. He wanted to outplay me, catch me in the trap made from my own words, but I was smarter than this. Life with Chester taught me better.
"Because you're clearly interested in me, Zyon." I let his name linger in the air, relishing in the amusement dancing in his eyes. It was the first time I called him by his first name, and I knew I’d just started a dangerous game. Of course, he took it as a challenge.
"Don't tease a snake with a barefoot, Valeria," he advised, and an unfamiliar thrill rushed through my veins like an addictive poison. It wassolate for this warning.
-11-
Valeria
The game went smoothly. Players were funny, slightly drunk, and willing to lose money. Nervousness quickly left me, seeing no one paid much attention to me. They wanted full glasses of alcohol and a great view of young, half-naked girls. The room changed into a strip bar in no time, and for the last half an hour, I was sitting behind the table, waiting for them to return. But seven men were preoccupied with naked butts and roulette.
