Page 123 of Roulette Rodeo
"You're all so enthusiastic! But you know I love grinding Rafe's gears the most." His expression turns mock-sympathetic. "He lost the other day in the stocks. Three mil, gone like that." He snaps his fingers. "A shame to lose to me, as usual, but what else to expect when there's always someone better on the playing field?"
His attention shifts to me then, and I watch his pupils dilate as he leans in, inhaling deeply.
"Wow," he breathes, and his voice has gone husky. "You're a sweet cherry pie, darling."
The reaction is instantaneous.
All three of my alphas—and yes, definitely mine if this is how they react to another alpha scenting me—let out warning growlsthat would send lesser beings running. The sound reverberates through the air, primal and possessive.
But I've faced down worse than one pretty boy in an expensive suit.
I tilt my head, studying him with the same calculating look I used to size up marks at the casino.
"Do you gamble?"
The question clearly wasn't what he expected.
"Yes."
I bob my head thoughtfully.
"What's your favorite game? One that can be played anywhere?"
His eyes light up with interest.
"Coin toss."
A slow smirk spreads across my face.
"Cool. Got a coin?"
One perfectly sculpted eyebrow arches in intrigue before he reaches into his pocket, pulling out what looks like a silver dollar.
"As a matter of fact, I do."
He shows me the heads side—an eagle with spread wings—making a show of the display.
"When I flip it," he starts, "we can do a quick bid?—"
"Fine," I interrupt.
"Red," Talon says in warning, but I lift my hand to stop him. The three of them exchange worried looks, but I'm focused entirely on Luca.
He flips the coin with practiced ease, the silver spinning through the air, and before he can call it, I say, "Heads."
The coin lands in his palm.
He doesn't even need to look at it—we both know what it's showing.
"Winner gets a hundred bucks and an open tab at the nearest bar," I declare.
Shiloh snickers, unable to help himself.
"There's only one bar here."
"Even better," I grin.
Luca frowns, confusion replacing his earlier smugness.
