Page 94 of Gamble with Me
Sexy shirtless vampires with ripped bodies served liquid blood in packs as if they had stolen it from the hospital, and steamy juicy steaks were brought for us by werewolves.
Every slot machine was wrapped in cotton that resembled a spider net. Drinks imitating blood or green slime and filled with meat and teeth were served everywhere. Cakes and canapes on black platters looked like tiny pumpkins, ghosts, and graves.
“Impressive,” Alice praised, biting a tiny orange pumpkin. “Delicious cake.”
A smile formed on my face when I saw her delighted expression. She was a sucker for sweets.
“Want some?” she offered me a grave with a tombstone and sank the dessert fork into a ghost.
“I’m good, thanks,” I refused, accepting a steamy drink from a sexy bartender who flashed me a broad grin. I smiled politely at him, but my mind was elsewhere.
“Let’s go to the stage.” Alice dragged me from the bar and led me between the slot machines to the live games.
People circled the roulette and blackjack tables. Some played while others only watched and enjoyed the atmosphere. Loud music came from speakers, and provocatively dressed girls swayed around the poles and in cages on the sides.
The dim purple light created different pictures and shadows on the walls and the carpet. The place was crowded with mystical creatures that gave me chills, and my vision blurred. Wherever I looked, someone drank blood. There was also a man chewing meat that looked like it was raw, and I noticed a woman licking something sticky from another woman’s bare chest. My stomach twisted with nausea just from watching them.
“Are you okay?” Alice interrupted me as I stared at a couple kissing, wrapped in a spider web.
“I’m not sure,” I whispered, but thankfully, she didn’t hear me. I waved her question off, acting nonchalant. I sipped my drink, tasting vodka with cranberry juice, when the music stopped and the reflectors pointed at the stage on the other side of the room.
Three identical, tall men stood on the podium, wearing black suits and skull makeup. A tiny smile played on my lips when I watched one approach the microphone, and the entire room went silent. They owned those people. They were kings.
My heart went into overdrive when Zyon’s strong, deep voice boomed from the speakers, and soothing heat spread from my abdomen. This was precisely what I needed—a reminder of his power, influence, and dominance. His commanding presence calmed the insecure tornado that raged inside me. He was the cure my bleeding, frightened soul desired.
I stared at Zyon in awe as he thanked and welcomed guests, hoping to meet up with him soon. The pull I felt toward him was magical. My worries completely dissipated when I watched him enchant the whole room.
No matter what he would say to my plea, I knew I had to speak to him. I couldn’t just walk away without learning how he felt about us.
Exhaling deeply, I finished my drink and placed it on the empty tray. There was only one way to find the answers to my questions.
-44-
Valeria
“Have you heard about Zyon having a different date of birth than his brothers?” Alice asked, munching on her fourth ghost cake. My teeth hurt from the sweetness she was able to chew.
“What?” I tore my glance from the triplets approaching the guests.
“Yes.” Alice nodded eagerly. “He was born on October 31st while his brothers came out on November 1st.”
“Zyon was born minutes before midnight?” I asked, a smile tugging on my lips. He had to be special in every way.
“Half an hour, actually,” Alice replied, scanning the green slime drink. “His mother couldn’t give birth to all three of them naturally. His brothers were born through C-section.” She shrugged, changing her glass for a blood bag. “This story almost had a very tragic end.”
I looked away from her, watching Zyon shake hands with another group of guests. He was surrounded by people, and everyone wanted to congratulate him and his brothers. They spent a few seconds with everybody, politely showing their gratitude.
My eyes left Zyon’s face, glancing behind him. Before the podium with the DJ, a massive table covered with presents was set. Guests constantly brought new, perfectly wrapped boxes, bags, and baskets.
I’d given money to Tasha, who bought a present for the triplets from the employees of Vortex, but I also had something else for Zyon. When I was absolutely sure he was my stalker, I decided to give him something more personal than a gift basket full of expensive alcohol and sweets. But I also couldn’t give it to him in public.
I wished to speak to him, congratulate him, and discuss our situation, but seeing the crowd surrounding him, my hope dissipated. It would be a miracle if he noticed me.
Just when the thought crossed my mind, Zyon lifted his eyes and met my gaze. My heart painfully missed a beat, and my breath stuck in my throat. My body felt like it was shot by an intense bolt of electricity that made my every nerve tingle.
I stared at him as if hypnotized, unable to look away. A man in a Freddy Krueger mask approached him, but he waved him off and left his brothers to deal with guests.
It took Zyon less than ten seconds to stand before me, his dark eyes burning with happiness and excitement. His painted lips stretched into a playful smile as he watched me like a dessert he wanted to devour.
