Page 50 of Wild Card (Advantage Play 1)

“Diece?” I ask, getting my hopes up.

“No, Reggie. You won’t know he’s there because he’s very good at what he does, but I promise you, he’ll keep you safe in case Burlone tries to mess with you.” His nose runs along the column of my throat. “I have business to attend to, so I won’t be able to visit until tomorrow. But after that, you’re all mine.”

“Is that right?” I quip with a teasing smile.

“Damn right it is. If I didn’t have shit to do, I’d act on all the indecent fantasies that popped into my head as soon as I saw you lying in bed this morning.”

Licking my lips, I ask, “And what fantasies did you imagine?”

“Well—”

The blaring sound of a cell phone ringing echoes from his front pocket, and he groans, dropping his forehead to rest against mine before pulling out the blasted phone and swiping his thumb along the screen.

“Yeah?”

Silence.

“I’ll be there in twenty.”

Hanging up the phone, he tangles his hands in my hair and gives me another panty-melting kiss. When he pulls away, he says, “Kick some ass tonight, Ace.”

“You too.”

He quirks his brow. “Why, Ace, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

I laugh. “Sure, you don’t. I’ll talk to you later, King.”

“You too.”

Then he leaves me with a day full of thumb-twiddling as I wait for the tournament to start where I can finally exact my revenge on someone who deserves so much more than a public humiliation and a few dollars lost. But it’s the best I can do, so I’ll execute it with my dying breath.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Ace

Staring in the mirror at Dottie’s Diner, I take a deep breath then lacquer my upper lashes with a bit more mascara. After an hour of debate, I finally decided on a simple black cocktail dress with my warm brown hair curled in loose waves and left hanging around my shoulders. I look like…me. It’s a stark contrast to the personas I normally wear, and I still can’t decide if it’s a good choice or not. Regardless, I need to get moving, or I’ll miss the tournament, and my wardrobe won’t matter anyway.

After I put the mascara wand in the hot pink tube and twist the cap for good measure, I toss it in the bottomless pit I call a backpack when the worn deck of cards catches my eye. Before I can stop myself, I reach inside and grab the familiar cards. It’s one of the only objects I still have from my childhood, and the sight makes me miss my mom more than usual. I run my thumb along the edge then lift the pack up to my nose and breathe deep. There’s still a hint of smoke that clings to them, reminding me of my childhood trailer and the memories that accompany it. With shaky hands, I drop the deck back into my bag then swing the strap over my shoulder and head out into the seating area.

I don’t have time for a walk down memory lane, especially right now when I’m about to confront the monster who stars in most of my nightmares.

“See ya, Dottie!” I call out, waving my hand in the air as I notice the majority of tables are occupied which is an unusual sight, but I guess it makes sense when I’m usually only here after hours.

“You comin’ back tonight?”

“Yeah! I got a date with Gigi!” I wink.

She grins before tucking the pen in her curly, dyed hair and yelling, “Alright, then. See ya, doll! Good luck tonight!”

With a shaky breath, I nod then turn on my heel and make my way to Sin.

* * *

The place is packed. That’s the first thing I notice as I enter the casino through a cloud of cigarette smoke. Holding my breath, I walk through the haze to the registration table where the same stuck-up concierge hands me my info.

“Head to the main poker table, give them this voucher, then they’ll cash you in.” He points to his right but doesn’t bother giving me any other directions, barely deeming me worthy of a response in the first place. In any other circumstance, I’d probably give him some salty remark, but I’m too distracted by the flashing lights and heady anxiety pulsing through me.

I’m here. This is the moment. What if I lose? What if he recognizes me? What if I break down crying and curl into a ball on the center of the casino floor? With how nauseated I’m feeling, I’m going to say it’s a definite possibility. I’ve done everything in my power to prepare for this moment, but am I ready? I don’t think I’ve ever been so nervous in my entire life. Maybe I should visit the bathroom first and go puke. I mean, better there than all over the poker table, right? And what if I have to sit by him. God, I don’t think I could handle—

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