6

JJ 6 ANGELO oey is sweating–badly. We took the party to a private room and the only players are Alessandro and Malik, Joey and two of his friends. His friends were out long ago and Malik curses as his own hand folds, leaving Alessandro to laugh as he claims his win and says with satisfaction, “I’m out.”

Joey looks nervous and his hands shake as he holds his cards, which show just how shit he is at poker. Then again, I knew that and as we place our bets, I say with an ominous edge to my voice, “Winner takes all.”

He swallows hard and says nervously, “What. Already?”

I nod and he says helplessly, “Money, then, make this for money, not her.”

“Are you breaking the terms of our contract, Joey?” I lean forward and my friends follow my lead and stare him down with looks that make grown men weep.

He swallows hard and says with a slight tremble in his voice. “No, of course not, it’s just I thought…” “Claudia is the payment I seek and nothing else.”

His friends look around nervously because this is one fucked-up situation, and he nods in defeat. “Agreed.”

The look of horror on his friend’s faces almost makes me laugh because Joey has just proved what a sick fucker he is, and I doubt they will look up to him as much after tonight.

He lays down his cards and, as my own claim the hand, he whispers, “Fuck.”

Alessandro laughs softly and Malik watches them all with the usual evil dark look he wears so well, and I say with satisfaction, “You have five minutes to bring her to me. My friends will see that you honor your bet.”

Malik stands, closely followed by Alessandro and as Joey and his friends hastily leave the room, I stare at the hand of cards that brought me victory.

It’s always too easy. Guys like Joey fall into my trap on repeat and I wonder if I’ll ever know what it feels like to lose.

I’m almost counting on it one day because at least then I’d feel something. Not this frozen existence that gets more fucked-up every hour that passes.

As always, when I’m alone, my thoughts turn to family, and I picture my father doing way worse than this. He likes to corrupt, harm and cause pain and that’s on repeat most days. He wouldn’t be feared as much if he wasn’t, and I wonder if that’s what it takes to survive this world. He certainly has a lot of enemies and very few friends, so I’m better off than he is in so many ways. I have four friends, five if you count Baron, and I have my sister. Now it’s up to me to learn my craft well because I have always known I would kill my father and that day is fast approaching.

A tap on the door interrupts the dark thoughts I have of home and as it opens, Claudia enters, looking terrified. The door slams behind her and I know one of my friends will be guarding it and so I look at her with appreciation because this woman is worth every bit of admiration I’m throwing her way.

“You wanted to see me. Why?”

Her soft voice wafts across the room like silk on a breeze and I point to the chair opposite me.

“Take a seat. Do you drink whiskey?”

She shakes her head. “Not really.”

“You may want to start now.”

I pour her a glass and she looks nervous as hell. “Um, what did you want?”

Leaning back, I hold my own glass and look at her with a hooded gaze.

“You.”

The color drains from her face and she looks around as if there’s a way to escape.

“What do you mean?”

This is the part I enjoy the most, the one where they learn their fate and I say almost as if bored, “Joey offered you up as payment for losing so we can do this the easy way, or the hard way, your choice.”

The glass stops mid-air, and she stares at me with a stunned expression.

“You had better be kidding me.”

Leaning forward, I fix her with a dark look. “I’m not.”

“No.” she says angrily, and I shrug. “Your call. I never force myself on a girl; not my thing.”

She looks relieved and her shoulders relax a little. “That’s it, I get to leave.”

“If you like.”

She stands and I say darkly, “Tell Joey the bets off and he can say goodbye to his career.”

“What did you say?”

I shrug. “I did him a favor; you a favor, actually. Remember the guy who attacked you at the club in town. Drugged your drink and tried to force himself on you.”

She sits back down.

“Remember the reports of what happened to him the next day.”

“You?”

I nod, setting my glass down. “Joey came to me with revenge in his heart.

He asked for my help, and I removed your problem from society and protected your boyfriend’s image. He gambled away his debt and a night with you was the payment.” I laugh softly. “To his credit, he tried to change my mind and offered me money instead. I think he really likes you and would have offered me anything to save you this, shall we say, degrading situation.

But in my world a bet is a bet and there is only outcome if that is not honored. You walk away and Joey’s career goes down with him. Shame, really, he has a promising future.”

Her eyes fill with tears and she whispers, “So, either way, I get fucked by a bastard.”

“That’s life, baby. Just be more careful about the company you keep in the future.”

She looks down and nods. “I have no choice then.”

Leaning across the table, I grab her chin and force her to look at me, relishing the hurt in her baby blue eyes. Strumming my finger across her lips, I whisper, “Like I said, you can do this the easy way or the hard way. You see, if I were in your shoes right now, I would be mighty pissed at my so-called boyfriend. He has gambled with you and that can’t be a great feeling.

What better revenge than to enjoy the fuck of your life and walk away with your head held high. One night only with no strings attached. A night of passion with no regret in the morning. A walk on the wild side that will leave you feeling empowered. Don’t be a victim, Claudia, be better than that.”

“But it’s not my choice.”

“Are you sure about that? Say no and walk away with no regrets. This isn’t your debt to pay, it’s his. I wouldn’t care. Either way, I take payment, but if you want to know what it feels like to take control and dance with the devil, now’s your chance. I’m not a bastard. I’ll make it a night to remember and…” Pulling her toward me, I brush my lips against hers and whisper, “I’m guessing you will love every minute of it.”

Pressing my lips against hers, I love how they eagerly part to let me in.

Her soft moan of pleasure is all the encouragement I need as I kiss her slowly, tenderly even, and with one purpose in mind. Seduction.

As she presses in closer, I pull back and whisper, “One night only and remember, night is darkest the moment before the dawn, and I promise the dawn will be the first day of the rest of your life.”

Her soft pants of desire give me my answer already and I say huskily, “Not here.”

She nods. “Where?”

“Come with me.”

Taking her hand, I lace our fingers together and as we walk into the crowd, I feel the curious stares follow us. We cross the room and make for the staircase, and I laugh to myself when I see no sign of Joey or his friends.

Eden catches my eye and I smirk as I lead Claudia up the wooden staircase and the look she shoots her makes me wonder if Claudia will be ok. Eden has a particularly evil streak in her that probably involves an attack of some kind, so I’d be wise to offer Claudia my protection after this. I’m not a bastard, not really. Just a fucked-up individual who gets his kicks this way.

As I lead my prize to my bedroom, I feel good for once in my life because tonight is all about giving Claudia the night of her life with no regrets in the morning and I’m guessing Joey will be looking for a new girl on his arm when his old one wakes up in mine.