Page 129 of Blood & Lace
Régis grinned harder. “Yes, a few of my colleagues are more than excited to try their hand at the fun here. We can, of course, win and bet more than money.”
The way he said it made it sound like we were selling women and children. Bile burned the back of my throat as I fought to keep my face neutral. People didn’t bother me, I heard some vile shit in my day, but when it came from his mouth it only further fueled my anger. This was personal, and I wanted him dead more than anything.
“As long as it has value,” Damian supplied.
Régis clapped his hands together. “And what will it take to have you play as well?” He eyed Damian like he was something to squash.
“I don’t play in-house.”
“Oh, come on, I know there has to be special occasions. What better way to cement our friendship than a friendly game of Texas Hold’em?” His words were sweet like honey as he tried to cozy up to my brother. “Or are you more of a Blackjack man?” Régis seemed to be in a good mood. It was probably due to the fact he'd been trying to get another meeting with Damian to no avail. Tonight probably felt like his chance.
Damian’s left shoulder rolled back. It was the one tick he’d never been able to get rid of. Even when we were kids, when he was really annoyed and tried not to show it, that one shoulder would roll back. I’d warn Régis to back off but I kind of wanted to see what Damian would do to him.
Régis' gaze jumped over to me. He didn’t deserve to have the same eyes as my bella.
I should scoop them out with a rusty spoon.
"No husband?" Régis asked.
Every fiber of my being froze over, and I wanted to kill him right then and there. How dare he ask about Onyx with that filthy mouth of his. My husband shouldn’t even cross his mind.
He's dead. I'll rip his fucking guts out and strangle him.
Nash elbowed my side, sending shock waves of pain up my ribcage. It didn’t do anything to squash the rage building inside of me. "No spouses allowed," he answered for me. His demeanor, unlike mine, was calm and collected. “We like to keep it a calm setting, if you know what I mean.”
Régis chuckled like he was in on some joke. “Don’t I. Spouses can be dramatic and in the way.” His gaze skipped over to me again and that same smirk was on his face. “Not to mentionliars and manipulators. Just be glad you won’t get him pregnant. Children are always a disappointment.”
One punch. Fuck it, let me at least rip his fucking tongue out of his mouth.
I took a single step toward him and the two guards at his side took notice. Nash got in the way and elbowed me twice more. The pain was becoming a constant that kind of grounded me.
"Didn't know you knew my husband," I finally forced out.
Régis, the lying cunt, shook his head. "Not personally, just heard rumors you got married. What could I say, I was looking forward to meeting him." We made it to the table and he took his seat.
If it were up to me, I'd make sure he never saw you again right now.
Nash's elbow to the rib was going to leave bruises by the end of the night.
"I only play high stakes," Damian said. His smile was subtle. My brother was a businessman at the end of the day. How he could grin at a worthless piece of shit was beyond my capabilities. It took everything in me not to growl at the man like some rabid dog.
"Wouldn’t want it any other way," Régis said. He snapped his fingers and one of the guards placed a bag on the table.
I hadn’t even noticed him carrying it before. My focus had been solely on Régis. It was a mistake on my part, and I forced myself to calm down. If we were going to pull this off, we all had to do our job.
Nash was the one who took it, opening the bag before calling over one of our men. He passed it over, whispering into his ear.
“You know, getting a hold of you is like calling the president,” Régis said, offhandedly.
Damian hummed in response, snapping his fingers, and one of the girls appeared at the table. She had fire-engine-red hairand rainbow freckles painted over her nose. She smiled down at my brother but made sure to show off her best assets to Régis, the customer.
“What can I get you two gentlemen?” Her Bronx accent was thick and only added to her appeal.
They both put in their order as I scanned the club, looking for only one person. I spotted Onyx at the bar with his back to us.
I wanted to go to him and check on him, but I stayed still. I wasn’t going to ruin this for him when I knew he’d been waiting years to kill Régis. A dealer came over to the table and broke open a fresh pack of cards.
As they started the game, a different girl from the one that took their orders came with the drinks in hand. This one was blonde. I’d seen her plenty of times at the club; she was one of our best dancers.
