Page 88 of The Biting Bargain

The crowd murmurs as Vincent puts down a Flush.

"Tie game, Renard," Stellan hisses.

The dealer deals new cards.

Vincent's gaze is locked on me with a stony expression. My heart stops for a beat, only to hammer on.

I try to tell him with my nonexistent telepathy that this isn't necessary. That he doesn't have to take this risk just because of me. That it's okay. That I am here of my own accord. That I can handle Stellan.

That he doesn't have to put his reputation on the line for me.

But something in his gaze makes me feel hot and cold at the same time, and something around my heart, something I hadn't even known was there, an iron clamp that has gripped and crushed me, twists a little tighter.

He's going to lose, it flashes through my mind.

At that moment, Stellan puts a royal flush on the table.

The crowd murmurs.

Vincent doesn't make a face.

"Game over, Renard," Stellan says with a smirk.

ChapterForty-One

Vincent

The cocky grinon Stellan's face should be enough reason to tear the skin off his face. And also the surrounding crowd would have deserved nothing better than to be torn into confetti-sized shreds by my wolf.

Sensationalist, decadent bastards.

Ever since I marched in here with that silly sash around my chest, it’s like the dandruff has fallen from my eyes and I see my kind clearly for what they really are.

These people aren't worth it. All these old, rich, pompous snobs aren't worth it.

They're not worth her.

And Stellan DiAngelo will live to rue the day he dared to even breathe in her direction.

I place my hand — a Full House — on the green velvet of the poker table as the crowd around us jeers, Stellan smirks as if he's just taken my favorite toy away. Polly next to him is white as a sheet, her beautiful green eyes wide and full of horror.

Don't worry, little dove. There's no way I'm going to let that bastard have you. That you had to expose yourself to him is bad enough.

I came prepared.

Out there, beyond the walls of this mansion, the full moon hangs over the city like a giant searchlight. And whatever my little dove did to me on the last full moon night — I am now able suppress my werewolf.

If I want to, that is.

I rise from my seat.

The mocking crowd falls silent. Stellan winces, his grin collapsing a little.

"Sorry, no dice," I can't help but say before I shift.

The crowd screams out.

A few ladies faint.

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