Page 109 of Forgotten Promise

“Three black in a row. I should have been betting on black,” Benjamin mused.

He only had four chips left, but when he reached for them, John stopped him.

“Benjamin, don’t waste your money.”

Benjamin met his gaze. “This bet isn’t a waste.”

John’s gaze softened, but there was a sadness to the set of his mouth that said he wasn’t there yet. That was fine. This was just the prelude. Benjamin’s phone buzzed in his pocket.

“I can’t believe you have enough money to just throw it away.”

“We,” Benjamin corrected.

“What?”

“We have enough money.” He picked up the remaining chips and put them in John’s hand. “Here.”

“I am not betting your money.”

“Our money.” Benjamin shifted, so he was slightly behind John. “Come on, you know you want to.”

“This is two thousand euro.”

Benjamin gripped his hips. “Sure you don’t want to play?”

John pressed back against him, just a little, nothing raunchy. “Not this game.”

“Okay, then come on.” Benjamin led him to the table manager, where they traded in the remaining roulette chips for a two thousand euro plaque. Benjamin slid it, plus one of the ten thousand denomination ones, into John’s pocket.

“Penny slots,” John said, somewhat desperately. “I’ll play those.”

“Absolutely not.” Benjamin guided John back through the series of salons to the atrium. “Besides, there’s someone I want you to meet.”

Benjamin guided him nearly to the front doors, before grabbing his shoulder and forcing him to turn. The atrium entrance was a study in hand-carved warm wood columns with ornate designs. The center was two stories tall, with second-floor balconies that looked down onto the marble floor.

“What are we…” John’s words trailed off as he took in a sharp breath. It was appropriate. She was breathtaking.

Kailani wore an azure-blue dress. The shimmery material flowed down from one shoulder, hugging her breasts, waist, and hips before flaring at the bottom in soft layers that seemed to float around her even when she stopped walking, one hand on the railing as she looked down at them. Her hair was pulled back on the left with a sapphire and diamond clip in the shape of a flower, and a heavy sapphire bracelet hung on one wrist.

“I was afraid she wasn’t here,” John murmured.

Benjamin once more put his hand on John’s back. “That’s the woman I want you to meet.”

John looked over, one brow raised.

“Come on,” Benjamin said, ignoring the questioning look. “I’ll introduce you.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

She beat them to the Salle Blanche, which was on the first floor at the opposite end of the building. The plan was for her to meet them at the bar inside. The bar itself was beautiful—curved and tiled in turquoise, blue, and gold, with a glass top—but her face felt hot from nerves, so she slipped out onto the Salle Blanche Terrace. A few French roulette tables had a scattering of patrons, but a glass half wall divided the gambling space from a narrow strip of the terrace meant for nothing but enjoying the view.

The water was black, except for the lights reflected off the shorelines. Against that blackness, the glittering city of Monte Carlo hugged the shore, bright and golden.

She felt them coming, knew they were there with some sixth sense. The clack of roulette balls and murmur of conversation covered the sound of their steps until they were right behind her, but Kailani didn’t jump, wasn’t surprised when Benjamin’s hand landed on her shoulder.

“Kailani.”

She turned, stupidly nervous. “Benjamin.” For a second, she couldn’t look at either of them, so she studied the casino tables, the chandeliers that hung over each of them, despite the outdoor setting.

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