Page 40

Here we go.

It’s been a while since I played, but with all my troubles, it’s like this is what I needed tonight.

A comfort, like all those cups of hot cocoa.

The dealer wins the first round, just as I planned.

The man at the far end wins the second.

I win the third, fourth, and fifth.

“Hello, Genesis.”

I freeze, panic charging through me. Chills sweep up my spine at the voice that’s haunted me for the past two days.

I struggle to keep my composure as Dima sits beside me—so close that he’s nearly on my stool. His wide shoulder bumps into mine, and he steals a stack of my chips. The dealer’s attention whips to me, and I slowly nod, not wanting to make a scene.

Dima’s cologne is strong, almost suffocating. He’s dressed in a black suit with a black button-up. A snake ring, nearly as largeas his hand, is on his pointer finger. It matches the snake tattoo that runs from his hand up his wrist.

I don’t say a word to him, only tell the dealer my calls, and win the round.

Dima grunts in disapproval, glares at the dealer, and steals more of my chips.

I win another round.

“Son of a bitch,” he hisses, slamming his hand on the table.

I don’t know why he’s so mad. It’s nothismoney he’s losing. I’m just takingmineback.

Staring straight ahead, I lower my voice so only he can hear me. “What are you doing here?” I’m shocked at how assertive I sound.

“Watching you,nevesta.” He edges so close that I feel his breath hit my cheek. “Keeping an eye on what’s mine.”

My stomach drops as I fight for words.

The reality is that there’s a possibility that I will be his.

“Please go away.” I ask, every muscle in my body tense. “I’m trying to gamble here.”

“Ahh.” His gaze latches on me, his lips forming a cunning smirk. “If your plan is to win money to pay off your father’s debt with me, that’ll never happen,nevesta.”

He runs his hand down my thigh, and I shove it off.

“I have my eye on you, Genesis.” He stands, towering over me, and lowers his mouth to my ear. “Soon, you’ll be mine.”

“Too late,” I murmur, wishing I hadn’t said a word and just let him walk away, but I keep talking. “Julian already signed a contract with your father.”

He stands tall, straightening his sleeves. “A contract has never stopped me from getting what I want.” Reaching out, he grabs a strand of my hair and twirls it around his finger. “I can’t wait to tug on this when I force you on your knees to suck my cock.”

I stare at him, speechless.

“No need to say anything,” he says. “I prefer my women stay silent.”

13

“I wantthem separated into three accounts.” I stare at Caesar, the man I pay to run my shell company. “Better yet, add another for extra precaution. If even one account leads back to me, they’ll never find your body in the ocean.”

Caesar nods, scribbling down notes.