Page 102 of Arianna

And I sure as hell am not desperate, nor do I plan on losing tonight.

One time was enough.

Because losing costs you everything.

That is why I let my greed rule me while down here. It is the only way to survive this world. Being smart gets you far too. It makes you push ahead and take what you need before someone else steals it from you.

No one will ever take from me again.

Taking my seat, I watch as Sandoval lifts his chin in my direction, the smug bastard puffing at his cigar as he rocks back in his chair. He sits at the center of the round table with a knowing smile. He knows I will do whatever is required to win tonight. Like I always do.

Luis came downstairs and dumped all the keys he’d collected onto the middle of the table and a stunning diamond necklace, most likely from one of these fucker’s wives, while the dealer divided chips for their worth.

The necklace had a diamond pendant in the shape of a heart.

Classically beautiful.

Rare.

Then an image of a girl with emerald-green eyes and a heart of ice similar to the one on the table flashes through my mind fueling me with more hunger to win than I came down here with.

I look down at my cards and then at the ugly asshole beside me who is rubbing his hand on the back of his beefy neck as nerves visibly rattle through his body.

A tell.

A grin pulls at my mouth.

This must be the dumb fuck who bet diamond necklace.

Oh, this will be fun.

Winning always is.

An hour later, I left the owner of brand-new cars which I gifted to three of Sandoval’s men and a diamond necklace.

See… greedy men always win.

ARIANNA

Bon Voyage

“She is both the cure and the disease.” – B

Sister,

Did you know that there are seven billion people on this planet, yet there could never be another you? You are the perfect sister for me.

What are the odds of that?

- Mila

My hands tremble as I finish reading my little sister’s letter.

She poured her heart into these letters, and I couldn't even bring myself to read them. I was too angry. Too hurt.

Too afraid.

Angry at them.

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