Page 130 of Blood & Lace
Régis eyed the drink that was set in front of him suspiciously. Without skipping a beat, Damian grabbed it and drank the entire thing. “Bring two more.”
“Yes, sir,” she said.
“Sorry, can never be too careful,” Régis said.
Damian waved his thanks to the side. “If my establishments can’t be trusted then I wouldn’t be in business.”
Another girl came over and my back went stiff. It was Onyx. He didn’t say anything as he carried over the rows of chips for Régis and Damian. He was way too close to that bastard for my liking.
My hands itched to snatch him away.
Pain flared across my ribs as Nash elbowed me. “Fix your face.”
I looked at the bodyguards instead and that was no better. They eyed Onyx’s ass and that only made me angrier.
This night was testing all my patience.
Luckily, just as quickly as Onyx had come, he disappeared.
“You have some nice talent here. Are certain ones available for personal time?” Régis asked.
Nash elbowed again before I could react.
“We don’t discourage them from making money,” Damian said. “I thought you wanted to play, or are you more interested in the entertainment?”
Régis chuckled. “No, no, let’s play. I can have my fun later once I take you for all that you have.”
Time ticked by at a snail's pace, every minute that went by was hell. Régis made jokes with Damian like they were old friends, and it only made me want to kill him even more. His pile of chips grew higher and the drinks kept coming. At some point, he stopped being wary of them, throwing them back just as fast as Damian. It was like he was in some weird competition with my brother.
Elia made his way over to our table and moved next to the bodyguards, striking up conversation. His black dress was fitted to his lean form, drawing the man’s attention. The other guard, on the other hand, kept his eyes peeled for any threat.
They went another round with Régis coming out on top as the winner. I looked down at Damian’s hand. He had three aces and two kings. Still, he folded when Régis went all in.
“At my age, you learn a thing or two,” Régis said.
Yeah, how to be a bigger piece of shit.
I caught sight of Onyx before he even headed our way. His hips swayed in that hypnotic way that made my mouth water. He had two drinks on his tray. He set one in front of both of them before turning to walk away.
How he got so close and didn’t just start stabbing Regis was beyond me. He had more restraint than most people, me included. Onyx took two steps away before Régis turned in his seat and grabbed his wrist.
Air ceased to exist, and I moved to kill him right then and there for touching what was mine. Nash was to my left and Prince was quick to make it to my other side. He pretended to be giving me information.
“Calm down. We won’t let anything happen to him,” Prince reminded me.
Fuck that, he’s touching my husband.
My blood was boiling under the surface, threatening to consume me. Prince nodded like I’d said something, but in truth, words weren’t something I was capable of at the moment. I just wanted to kill him.
"Wait, why don't you sit here and be my lady luck," Régis said.
"Get back to work," Damian said without looking up from his cards. Onyx didn’t even have time to respond. "Régis, no amount of luck will help you with this next hand."
Régis laughed a full body chuckle as he released Onyx.
“See, calm down,” Prince muttered. He stayed, holding me back, and it was good he did. I wasn’t sure I was capable of restraining myself just yet. My insides twisted, and I wanted to say “fuck the plan.”
My husband was halfway across the room before he feverishly started to rub at his arm. I wanted so desperately to go to him and check on him. My stomach knotted with unease. Prince eased back and clapped me on the shoulder before walking away. Nash, on the other hand, stayed close. His gaze skipped to me a few times as if to check on me.
