Page 48 of Sweet Possession

“I haven’t got twenty grand to lose, Asher,” I whisper-hiss.

He smirks. “You don’t have to lose anything, baby. You can watch this game while I play.” He leans in, his hot breath hitting my ear. “I don’t lose, angel,” he murmurs arrogantly before pulling back to look at me.

I roll my eyes. “It’s gambling, Asher. It literally states it in the name. It’s a gamble. You can’t possibly know that you will win.”

He wraps his arms around me and pulls me in tight against his hard body. “Don’t you worry your pretty little head, angel. I’ve got this. Whatever I win tonight is yours.” My eyes widen and I shake my head. “For that art studio you want to open when you finish school.”

I pause as I stare up at him. “I can’t let you do that.” I try to pull out of his hold, but he doesn’t let me. He locks me in with one arm as the other reaches up and takes my chin, bringing my eyes back to his.

“You can. I want to do this for you. God knows, being with me has brought you enough stress. Let me give you your dream.” He presses a kiss to my lips. “Now, show me that beautiful smile. We’re here to have fun.”

My lips curve into a smile on their own accord. “Come on then, babe. Show me what you’ve got.”

ChapterTwenty-Nine

ASHER

I stare at the cards in my hand and bite back a smile. The tension swirling around the poker table right now is so thick, you could cut it with a knife. It’s just red-shirt guy, who I now know is called Zeke, and me.

My angel sits beside me. She shifts in her seat. I know she’s nervous, but she doesn’t need to be. I’ve got this and am about to win half a million dollars. The probability of me having the hand I have right now is low when it comes to poker, but I do have it, and that’s all that matters.

And I’m going to hand Zeke his ass.

“Show your cards,” the dealer instructs.

My eyes stay on my opponent, his on me. He grins. I smirk back. Asshole may think he is top dog because he has been on a winning streak for the last couple weeks, but tonight is the night it ends.

Together, we both flip our cards. A sharpwhooshof breath beside me lets me know that my angel has read both hands and knows I won. My eyes drop to Zeke’s cards, confirming it.

“Royal flush,” the dealer announces. Cheers and disbelief—no doubt at my cards—sound out around us. Zeke clenches his jaw as a flash of annoyance flickers in his eyes. My lips curve into a triumphant grin. I lean back on my stool, grabbing my angel’s hand. Turning to face her, I smash my lips to hers in a celebratory kiss. I told her not to worry, and I just proved that she can trust what I say by winning for her. I wasn’t lying when I said the money was hers; it is. She can do as she wishes with it. If she wants to open her art studio, I’ll back her every step of the way.

“Well, well, well, this is an unexpected turn of events.” A deep drawl from my left has me breaking the kiss. My head snaps up, eyes landing on… Louis Carrington.

Motherfucker.

His eyes go to my angel. They gleam with sadistic satisfaction and lust. I’m out of my seat before I can stop myself. “Take your fucking eyes off of her, asshole.”

His gaze moves to me, lips quirking into a smirk. “I don’t believeyourlips belong on her either, Mr. Grant, considering she’s your student.”

I step up into him, but a tugging on my hand has my eyes sliding down to my angel. Her eyes are glazed, and she looks scared, which makes my anger increase tenfold. Straightening, I grab her. Before anything, Remi’s safety and happiness comes first, and I’m not about to engage with this asshole in public.

Turning, I collect my winnings and look at Zeke, whose eyes are now bouncing between me and the fucker behind me. “You are a worthy opponent, Zeke. Maybe I’ll catch you again sometime.”

He nods. “Can’t say I’m not pissed that you ruined my winning streak, but you played better. I’ll see you for a rematch?” He cocks a challenging brow.

I nod and smile. “Sure.” With that, I turn to find the smug fucker, Louis, still standing there, his gaze on Remi. Ignoring him, I glance at Remi, who is shifting uncomfortably. “Come on, angel. Let’s go.” I move towards the exit, only to stop when the man who seems to want his eyes and voice box removed speaks again.

“Nice, but surprising, seeing youboth.I’ll be sure to send Abernathy your best,” he taunts, the implication clear. Remi tenses beside me, I squeeze her hand in a comforting gesture before we make our way past a confused-looking Kroy and through the casino. When we make it outside, my angel starts to hyperventilate.

“A-Asher,” she stutters in between breaths.

Grabbing her shoulders, I look her in the eyes. “I know. I know, angel. But you need to calm down.”

She shakes her head frantically. “How can I calm down? He already threatened me with going to the board about my being a stripper. He won’t let this go, Asher.” Her wild eyes come to mine. “We need to go back in there. Make a deal with him. Maybe I can go to his office, give him what he wants,” she rushes out.

My fingers grip her harder of their own accord, and in my anger at her words, I shake her. “Don’t you ever suggest that again. Do you hear me?” I growl. I shouldn’t be so harsh. I know she’s only saying things like this because of her hysteria, but still.

Remi sucks in a breath. “I didn’t mean it. I-I’m just in panic mode. What am I going to do?” she cries.

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