Page 47 of Ace of Hearts

Rose

June

Las Vegas, USA

The word is well and truly out.

Ever since the security guards let me go free of charges, nobody’s talked about anything else.

“Levi Ivanovich is color-blind.”

“Jacob’s son can only see in gray.”

“How can he win if he can’t see colors? I bet he cheats.”

Some people are curious; others take pity on him; and a few idiots say he must be lying. This is exactly why Levi wanted to hide his achromatopsia. And it’s all my fault. His reputation is taking a hit just before the semifinals, and all because I was stupid enough to fall into my father’s trap.

He really got me, that bastard. An apology, a necklace, and an “I’m proud of you”—I should have seen through it all. It’s not like I don’t know him. He was obviously counting on my feeling blind love for him; he knew what I’d always dreamed of hearing, and he used it against me.

To hurt Levi.

Tito doesn’t give a damn about me. Once more, he’s thinking only of the Ivanovich family. I’m just a means to an end, for him. I assumed the secret he was using to blackmail me was the truth about Jacob’s murder, but that was naive of me. There’s no way he could possibly have known about that.

When I realized he’d used me to get to Levi, part of me was amused.

I was sure he’d miscalculated regarding the situation involving the necklace, because there was no way Levi would come to my rescue.

Not after everything that happened between us, and especially not after our conversation in the lift.

It seems I underestimated him.

Levi admitted to his achromatopsia in that room, knowing full well what the effect of dropping this bombshell would be, and all just to try to prove me innocent. He had no way of knowing whether what he was trying would even work. He’d never have attempted it if he didn’t care for me.

His feelings are sincere. I still can’t quite believe it, honestly. But I’d be crazy to keep running away now. The hardest part will be going back to face him. Am I strong enough to do it? Isn’t it too late?

I wait outside the door of the tournament room, hoping to intercept him before he starts his day’s play, but security closes the doors before I can find him.

I just hope Levi won’t do something stupid in there if Tito provokes him.

“What are you doing here?”

I spin around to find Thomas standing behind me, his hair pulled back in a low bun. My mouth opens in surprise. I assume he hates me—even more than he already did, that is.

“I could ask you the same question. Shouldn’t you be playing?”

“I was knocked out two days ago.”

I didn’t know. I doubt he cares all that much, but I don’t know how to react, so I nod. “Oh. I’m sorry.”

“Li Mei’s still in, though.”

That doesn’t surprise me. Li Mei’s a dark horse. I thought she didn’t know how to hide her emotions when she was playing, but that was before I knew it was all an act. She’s a pretty amazing player actually.

“I’ll tell her you’re looking for her,” Thomas says.

“No need. I was just leaving anyway.”

“Where are you going?”

What does he care? I shrug. I have no idea. To collect my things, for a start, because there’s no way I’m sleeping in the same suite as my father anymore.

Perhaps I really should go back to Venice this time.

The thing is, I don’t want to. Not until I’ve seen Levi again.

Just one last time.

“Does it even matter?” I say.

I turn to go, and he doesn’t stop me.

I leave a note for Tito on the kitchen counter before I leave. Nothing very poetic, just a simple Fuck you.

I take refuge at the bar, my natural habitat, where I can watch the semifinal for free on my phone. My heart leaps when I catch sight of Levi, more gorgeous than ever in his vintage shades.

Tito flashes everyone a supposedly charming smile that makes me want to bang my head against the wall.

There are twenty-seven players left, divided between three tables.

As I drink, I analyze Levi’s game. He was already good when I met him at the Venetian, but he’s improved noticeably over the last few weeks.

I wouldn’t go so far as to say it’s all thanks to me .

.. but some of it is. He’s much better at controlling his gestures and facial expressions now.

He analyzes other people’s faces too. Sometimes, I can tell that he’s trying to calculate the probabilities.

He and Tito are by far the best players, but there are other good ones, too, including Li Mei. She’ll make it to the last stage; I’d bet my life on it.

A few hours later, I’m proved right. Ten players make it to the final, which will take place in a few days. Tito has the biggest stack of chips, but only just. Levi’s doing all right. He has enough to survive two big hits, maybe three. No more than that.

By the time the day’s last round ends, I’m already tipsy. My head’s spinning, but I don’t let it show. I’m craving a game, too, but I try to keep myself in check. I have hardly any money left. If I place a bet and lose everything, I won’t even have enough to buy my plane ticket home.

On the other hand ... this is a good chance to win back everything I’ve lost over the last few days, isn’t it? I can’t go back to Venice with my tail between my legs. I promised my mother I would get better and clear my debts.

I’ll do it just once. Just this evening. The moment I’ve won back what I lost, I’ll stop. I swear.

It’s this line of thinking that leads me to find myself at a blackjack table at one o’clock in the morning. I didn’t manage to tear myself away earlier, when I could have. But why stop when it’s going so well? I’m cleaning up! It’s so easy. So satisfying. So energizing.

I never want to stop.

I soon move over to the poker tables. There again, I win most of my rounds. I drop my chips several times, making myself laugh. I’ve ordered another drink, but that was a few minutes ago, and the waiter still hasn’t come back.

Oh, here he is!

“Here you are, madam,” he says, holding out my martini.

I’m about to thank him when a familiar voice interrupts me, stopping me in my tracks.

“The same for me, please.”

I freeze, and my whole body starts to tremble. Levi sits down opposite me at the table, taking off his jacket with a gesture that manages to be both casual and elegant. I watch him, trying to ignore the butterflies in my stomach.

The waiter puts my glass on the table and leaves. Levi’s eyes haven’t left my face. I don’t know what to say. The first thought that comes into my head when I see him is God, I’ve missed you , even though he hasn’t been far away. We saw each other yesterday—twice.

He raises an eyebrow and takes out his chips.

“Another game?” he says.

I feel a sense of déjà vu.

I don’t reply, but I signal to the croupier, who deals our cards. I get an ace and a three of spades. I make the first bet without really thinking, my blood coursing through my veins. I feel lucky this evening, completely invincible.

Levi follows without a second’s hesitation, his piercing gaze fixed on me. The first flop is dealt: an eight of hearts, then a seven and eight of clubs. I hide my annoyance. I have very little chance of winning now. I don’t know what’s in Levi’s hand, of course, but it’s starting out badly.

He doesn’t look very worried, but then again, he hides his emotions well. When a three of hearts is dealt, I hesitate. I watch him, my expression playful, and ask, “What do you think?”

He moistens his lips, deep in thought. “I think I’m going to win.”

I laugh confidently. “You always say that.”

“And I’m often right.”

That’s true, but not when the opponent is me.

“I’d give myself ... about an eighty percent chance of winning,” he says. “You should fold.”

“You know me. I believe in miracles,” I say with a cold smile.

He smiles back, which is enough to set my poor heart on fire.

I hate him. I hate him so much. I hate him for being here, seeing my weakness.

I hate the fact that he came to my rescue and that he confessed how he feels.

I hate how he makes my heart race, and I hate the way he makes me feel things I don’t want to feel.

That’s why I go all in, keeping my head high. One part of me is determined to beat him, even as another part of me prays he’ll fold. He thinks for a long time, glancing between his cards and me.

“How about we make a wager, to spice things up a bit?” he suggests invitingly.

This doesn’t sound good. “What sort of wager?”

“You tell me. What do you want, if you win?”

You .

I feel my cheeks go warm. I’m relieved he can’t see me blush. All I want is for him to forgive me. I can’t tell him that, obviously.

“A new Carlotta.”

He smiles and agrees.

“And if you win?” I ask, curious to hear his answer.

I imagine he’ll ask for something indecent, just to annoy me. Then I think, he’s going to ask for information about Tito. That’s all he’s ever been interested in, isn’t it? But nothing prepares me for what he actually says, his expression serious now.

“If I win ... I want you to promise never to gamble again. Not in a casino, not online.”

I sit there, petrified.

“And I mean never ,” he insists.

I wasn’t expecting that. OK, so he’s not here to have fun.

He’s here to mother me, because he pities me.

For some reason that makes me furious, but it also makes me want to cry.

I’d told him I was fine, and that he shouldn’t worry.

Clearly, I lied—to him and my mother both. Yet again, he’s trying to save me.

“You could ask for something a lot more interesting, you know?”

“That’s the only thing I want. Is that a problem?”

Yes. It’s a huge problem. Because I don’t know if I’ll be able to keep my promise, and I’d hate myself if I broke it; if I let him down.

“Not at all. It’s a deal.”

I can be so stupid sometimes ...

My pulse quickens as the croupier takes the last card and places it in the center of the table: a ten of spades. The sight of it is like a cold shower.

I’ve lost everything. Just like that, in the blink of an eye. Levi watches me without even glancing at the card, wanting to see my reaction. He makes no move to take the chips, even though they’re all his now.

My eyes prickle. I’ve spent hours winning this money, promising myself I’ll go home rich. I wanted to stop lots of times, my conscience screaming that enough was enough, but I carried on. Wanting to win more.

Like always.

But of course, no one can win them all. You always come up against someone better than you. And this evening, for me, Levi is that someone.

“Rose.”

His voice is tender. I clench my teeth, afraid I’ll say something that I’ll regret. When I look at him again, his head is tilted at me.

“A deal’s a deal,” he murmurs.

I’d almost forgotten. Not only has he taken all my money; he’s also made me promise to stop gambling— forever . I’m panicking. I didn’t think this through properly. There’s no way I can promise something like that. I say, in a strangled voice, “I can’t.”

“You’re Rose Alfieri. There’s nothing you can’t do.”

My hands start to shake. My mind’s blank of every thought but the fact that I’m completely broke. I came here to earn money, for the sole aim of paying off my debts. Instead, I’ll be going home empty-handed. I detest myself.

I haven’t recovered. I was in remission, but I’ve relapsed. Because I’m weak , weak , weak .

“Rose,” Levi says again.

I get up, breathing hard. I’m about to beg him to give me back my chips, not to make me do this, when I suddenly feel a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

Li Mei appears, followed by Lucky, who smiles timidly at me. Thomas is suddenly on my left, and he nods his head in polite greeting. I want to ask them what they’re doing here, but Li Mei’s too quick for me.

“You didn’t think you’d get rid of us that easily, did you?”

“You’ll never find another group of crazies like us, no matter how hard you look,” Lucky adds, wiping the tears from my cheeks.

I didn’t even know I was crying, but now I can’t stop. Li Mei puts her arm around my shoulders, and, bizarre as it may seem, Thomas lets her do the same to him.

I’m devastated. Everything hurts, and yet I have the strangest feeling that things are going to be all right. Because it turns out, I’m not alone. I have friends. I have a gang of oddballs who accept me as I am and who, despite all my mistakes, have shown up to keep me from destroying myself.

I hide my face in my hands, crying even harder. Li Mei takes me in her arms and holds me very tight.

“Group hug?” Lucky suggests, embracing us both.

I hear a sigh to my left, probably Thomas’s, followed by a laugh I’d recognize anywhere. Then suddenly two more bodies join in. They’re surrounding me, holding me so close I can hardly breathe.

I feel understood, loved, supported.

“OK, who hasn’t had a shower in ages?” asks Li Mei, sniffing in disgust. “And which one of you has got their head between my breasts?”

“Not me, unfortunately,” says Lucky.

“I think it’s me,” I manage a laugh. “Sorry.”

“That’s all right, then.”

When I emerge, my eyes meet Levi’s above me.

“Thank you,” I murmur through my tears. It’s not much, but I know he understands. Thank you for yesterday. Thank you for this evening. Thank you for not giving up on me even though I don’t make things easy.

He nods, a hint of a smile on his lips.

“What now?” asks Lucky.

Thomas grimaces, trying to untangle himself from the hug. “Now we all take a step back. Li Mei’s right; we all stink.”

“But what are we actually going to do?” Lucky insists.

We all look to Levi. His eyes rest on each of the others in turn, before meeting mine. He holds out his hand to me in a determined gesture.

“Allies?” he says quietly. “For real this time.”

Everyone turns to me and holds their breath.

I think of Tito, of his intrigues, and the humiliation I felt when the police arrested me like a criminal ... and I grasp Levi’s hand, smiling conspiratorially.

“Allies.”