Page 7 of Wild Card (Advantage Play 1)

The guy looks to be a few years older than me, and he’s built like a swimmer. Tall and trim with a tapered waist. I’d probably punch his chiseled jaw if he didn’t look so damn apologetic for almost mowing me over.

“Yeah,” I murmur, taking a wobbly step back with my chips still in hand. “I’m fine.”

“You sure?” His brows are pinched in concern as he looks me up and down, searching for any bumps or bruises.

“Um…yeah.”

“I’m Jack.” He offers his hand to me, and I take it. His palm is warm; his fingers long and calloused.

“Ace.” My real name slips past my lips before I can stop it, and frustration quickly follows.

Shit.

He knocked me off guard when he ran into me, and now I’m going to pay dearly for it.

Rule #6: Never reveal your true identity and don’t get personal.

I’m an idiot.

“Nice to meet you, Ace. Seems you were meant to play cards with a name like that,” he teases with a playful smirk. His chin drops to my left hand that’s still clutching my fat stack of chips.

Clearing my throat, I search for a response but come up empty.

The only thing going through my mind right now is shit, shit, shit. I need to get out of here. I’m supposed to be invisible, or as invisible as possible in a casino full of cameras at least, and right now, I feel like I have a glaring spotlight pointed right at me.

Holding my stare, a curious Jack asks, “Do you play often? I feel like I’ve seen you before.”

The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, though he doesn’t appear aggressive in any way. His hands are relaxed at his sides; his smile seems genuine. Maybe it really is a coincidence, and I’m not seconds away from being dragged to a dark room and backed off by a scary pit boss. Or worse. If I played at legit casinos, I wouldn’t worry, but when I’m dealing with mob money, things can get sticky. Fast.

Breathing in through my nostrils, I look at the situation from every angle, searching for the optimal response before going with a classic excuse. “My boyfriend and I like to party. I should probably go hunt him down, though. He’s looking for me.” To soften my blow, I smile innocently at him, then take a step closer to the information desk.

“That’s too bad. I think we could’ve made quite the pair,” he shamelessly flirts.

With a snort and heated cheeks, I cover my face in embarrassment.

A jack and an ace in blackjack give you twenty-one.

“Very clever,” I laugh, though the tension in my body is still very present.

“Why, thank you.” He winks.

I need to get out of here.

“Maybe I’ll see you around, Jack.” With a swift turn on my heel, I plan to make my escape when his smooth voice makes me pause.

“I hope you will, Ace.”

Digging my teeth into my lower lip, I press forward and ignore his parting comment. My hips lazily sway back and forth as I continue on my way, making sure to keep the persona I’ve chosen for the night by being confident even though I’m freaking out inside. I was supposed to be invisible. It’s one of my main rules. Yet tonight, I was the opposite. I just hope it doesn’t come back to bite me in the ass.

I refuse to acknowledge how shaky my hands are as I give my chips to the casino clerk. Within thirty seconds, he hands me my cash, and I look over my shoulder in search of Jack, but he’s gone. Slipping the money into my clutch, I make my escape.

Rule #1 is fresh in my mind as I scan the parking lot and head to Dottie’s where I stashed my backpack.

The sooner I get out of this dress and back to myself, the better.

Chapter Four

Ace

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