Page 88 of Diamonds

I never slept with another server—I didn’t care for the power dynamic—but I met several women who I took to bed.I even dated a few casually.

But the goal was to work my way up to Rouge.After all, the Hathaways were dragged over the social coals during the last few years of my father’s life.I assumed that what Rouge meant was, for her to sleep with me, I’d have to prove myself a powerful figure among the societal elites.

And bedding the well-to-do women and mistresses of Aces was hardly a chore.

I have a good feeling about tonight.The club isn’t as busy as normal, so it’s easier to get Rouge’s attention.Her full attention.

I’m in the Diamonds section.I don’t go very often—I don’t like playing with my money—but Rouge seems to hold her money closest to her heart after her power.She tends to be drawn toward anyone who’s playing particularly well.Probably to make sure she isn’t getting screwed.

I don’t intend to screw Rouge, at least not in that way.

She’s outside of her office near the Hearts section, talking to her sister, Bianca.

Bianca is extremely talented.Used to work as an actress in New York City before she came back home to Chicago as the full-time singer for Aces.

But she’s painfully shy offstage.Always looking down, never making eye contact with the person she’s talking to.

She’s acting that way with Rouge.Head bowed, shoulders slumped.

Bianca’s a beautiful woman.And for an insurmountable price—much more than any of the servers—Aces patrons can take her behind the velvet curtains too.

The thought is tempting.

But she’s not the Montrose I’m after.

I’m after the grand prize.The top of the deck.

The Queen herself.

Rouge wraps up her conversation with her sister, and I cut in between them.

“Rouge.”

She eyes me.“Mr.Hathaway.A pleasure to see you tonight, as always.”

I take her hand, kiss it gently.“The pleasure is all mine.”

“Are you enjoying your evening here at Aces?”

“I am.”I narrow my gaze.“Are you enjoying yours?”

She grins.“Every evening at Aces is a new gamble, Mr.Hathaway.A new opportunity to explore the weird and the fantastic.”She turns away.“But I must attend to?—”

I grab her hand.“Rouge.You didn’t answer my question.Are you enjoying your evening?”

She crinkles her eyes, showing creases in her vivid red eye shadow.“What do you mean to ask me, Mr.Hathaway?”

“Years ago, Rouge, when I first came to this club, I asked you what your price was.You told me that I had to work my way up the deck before I could take you.”I shrug.“I now own a successful business, built from the ground up, a complete departure from the life my father wanted for me.I drive a beautiful Rolls-Royce and dress in the finest fashions I can get my hands on.And I’ve taken many beautiful women to bed.Women with power and stature.”I sear my gaze into her.“Does that make me worthy of a Queen?”

She cocks her head, her expression unreadable.“And it’s true that you never intend to return to the political sphere?You’ve spurned that lifestyle entirely in favor of your personal passions?”

I nod.“My father even left me a trust.Ten million dollars, payable to me if I go to Yale, pursue a degree in political science.I haven’t touched a penny of it.And I never will.My girlfriend, Laurie, broke up with me over it.Even then, I stood by my shop.”

“An admirable quality.”She subtly glances over both of her shoulders.“I want one thing to be very clear, Mr.Hathaway.”

“And what’s that?”

She gestures to the Diamonds section.“We offer many games of chance here at Aces Underground, as I’m sure you know.Poker, Blackjack, baccarat.But my favorite card game is one that we do not offer here at Aces.”