Page 85 of Diamonds

Chet leers at me—there’s nothing lascivious about it, but it still makes my nerves jump—and widens his grin.“I would, and I have.”

Maddox reaches into his back pocket and produces his wallet.“Well, we’re here.”

“Of course.”Chet thumbs through his book of members.“You’re good to go, Mr.Hathaway.”He redirects his gaze to me.“Miss Wonder, is it too bold to assume that you are Mr.Hathaway’s guest for the evening?”

I wrap my hand around Maddox’s bicep.“I am.”

“Excellent.ID?”

I reach into my clutch—the same color as my gown—and pull out my license.

“And you are coming here of your own free will?You’re not being coerced by Mr.Hathaway or some third party?”

I open my mouth, but no words come out.

“What the hell kind of a question is that, Chet?”Maddox asks.

Chet narrows his eyes.“I ask that of our repeat guests now and then.We want to avoid any distasteful behavior.”

I glance at Maddox, hoping he reads my expression to shut up.“Of course.I’m here because I want to be here.I want to be here with my boyfriend, Maddox Hathaway.”

Chet grins.“So romance has blossomed.What great news.Do I hear wedding bells?”

“It’s a little early to be talking about that, Chet.”Maddox puts his wallet back into his pocket.“Is that all?”

“Everything seems to be in order.”Chet reaches toward me.

I try to grab my license, but Chet holds onto it.

“Chet?May I have my ID back, please?”

He looks into my eyes, his head slightly cocked.“A word of wisdom, Miss Wonder.The course of true love never did run smooth.”

His words send my nerves thrumming again.

Chet releases my license, and I place it back into my clutch, willing my fingers not to tremble.

Maddox glares at him.“Christ, Chet, would it kill you not to be a weirdo for three seconds in a row?”

Chet slowly turns his head toward Maddox.“The weird sisters, hand in hand, posters of the sea and land, thus do go about, about.”

Maddox grabs my hand.“Let’s just go down.”

“You might find that difficult without the key.”Chet stands up and takes out the brass skeleton key to the black door leading to the mirrored staircase.He unlocks the door and opens it.“Welcome, lovers, to Aces Underground.”

I walk past Chet quickly, and Maddox follows.

We get to the bottom of the staircase and arrive at the green door.I turn to Maddox.“Is Chet being a little more odd than usual?”

Maddox shrugs.“A little.Must be the holiday.”

I rub my arms against the chill I feel.“I hope so.”

We open the green door, and Aces is bustling.There are twice as many waiters and waitresses as the last time I was here, and several more guests.Lots of the women are wearing red and pink dresses, and almost all the men are in tuxedos.

Maddox gestures to the bar in the Spades section.“A drink?”

I shake my head.“I think it’s best to keep our wits while we’re here.How about we check out the Diamonds section?Do you play Blackjack?”