Page 102 of Gamble with Me

I returned the rocks to the pocket and stood up, relishing in the amazement I had caused. “Here are the keys from my Maserati, my golden Rolex, and the diamondcuff links.” I threw everything on the table, casting her an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, but that’s all I have in my safe right now. Do you think it’s enough to call the bet your husband made?”

“Why are you asking her?” Chester whined, obviously angered by my audacity to leave him out of the discussion, but I was done with him. This was his last stunt. He wouldn’t go any lower because I wouldn’t allow him to drag his family down with him.

Wait! Did I sayhisfamily? Wrong, very fucking wrong. I meant my family!

“Keep your mouth shut when I’m talking to the lady!” I spat, my stare sharp as a blade when it collided with him. “Valeria?” I returned my attention to her, seeing her evident nervousness.

“No,” she whispered, her lower lip quivering and gorgeous eyes watering. “No amount of money can equal my daughter’s life.”

“I know,” I confirmed immediately, feeling my anger at Chester growing in my chest for putting her into this position. “And I promise this is the last time you suffer disrespect and humiliation. Your soon-to-be ex-husband will never bother you again.”

“What?” Chester yelled, abruptly standing up, but I only smiled at him.

“I call,” I announced, throwing the keys from the yacht in the middle of the table. “Show your cards,” I challenged, the buzz in my ears making me uncomfortable. My heart almost collapsed when I momentarily doubted my decision. If I had made a mistake…

Fuck!

Chester released his cards from the chip protector and threw them face up before him. Two aces shone brightly against the table’s green surface, and I almost patted my back. My analysis of his hand was spotless—long but spotless.

The gasps and murmurs erupted around the table. His hand was good. Not good, great, but I only smiled victoriously and slowly showed my cards.

“I have a straight,” I said, watching as the realization settled in his eyes and reflected on his face. He was horrified. “Goodbye, Chester.”

“W-what?” he whispered in apparent disbelief, staring from my cards to the board. Alice was extremely helpful in showing the winning combination and moving the money and my keys to me.

Yet, I focused on different things. Before anyone could react, I exchanged glances with Malin and Dorian, giving them silent permission to do what was necessary. I craved Valeria, to snatch her into my arms and never let go, but this wasn’t the right time. She had to leave with my brother to take her daughter before Chester understood the weight of his gambling.

I had always been one step ahead of my enemies until Chester and his schemes and secret moves appeared. He outsmarted me in many ways, but here, he underestimated me. I tried to keep up with him for the past few months, and today, I finally outran him. I beat him in the biggest game of our lives, but I knew this wasn’t the end. Too bad I couldn’t put a bullet in his head to give this hand the finish it deserved. That would be a birthday gift to remember.

“Do you wish to continue?” Alice asked, interrupting my staring at Valeria. She argued with Malin because she didn’t want to leave, but with barely two words, he persuaded her. She flashed me one last grateful glance and headed toward the exit.

I looked at a smiling Alice, winking at her when she mouthed a silent “thank you.”

“Let’s take a five-minute break,” I suggested, accepting congratulations on the big win.

“What about him?” Jamal materialized on my left side like a ghost, glaring at an enraged Chester, who started shouting profanities and insults like a lunatic. He accused me of cheating and demanded Valeria's return.

“Have some fun before kicking his ass out,” I said, refusing to submit to his provocation. I’d just gotten everything I ever wanted. I wouldn’t allow anyone to ruin this pure happiness and pride moment.

Pulling out my phone, I checked Valeria’s message, a smile tugging on my lips.

Valeria:Stay safe, please.

Zyon:You too, mon cœur. Get our girl, and Malin will take you home. We’ll meet there.

I smiled at the text, for the first time confirming her suspicion. But there wasn’t any reason to pretend anymore. She was mine.

Valeria:Home?

The sound of breaking glass and shouting interrupted my reply. I locked my screen and placed the phone on the poker table, watching Chester shatter my belongings. I removed my suit jacket and rolled the sleeves of my button-up shirt to my elbows.

Enough was enough. He had three seconds to stop, or he would eat the muddy sidewalk outside the Starlight building.

-48-

Valeria

Malin drove the car smoothly, acting like nothing had happened, but his grip on the steering wheel was so tight I worried it might crack at any second. His knuckles were white, and his phone hadn’t stopped ringing since he fired the engine. His dark eyes watched the road, yet his mind was elsewhere.