Page 48 of Luca

The betting starts conservatively. When it comes to me, I glance uncertainly around the table, then quietly push chips forward. No dramatic gestures, no excitement. Just Sofia being polite and trying not to make a fuss.

"Are you sure about that bet, darling?" Dante asks condescendingly.

I nod softly, not meeting his eyes. "I think so, if it’s okay."

The flop gives me my straight.

Dante bets big, probably trying to intimidate the newcomer. Two others fold, leaving three of us in the hand.

When the betting comes around again, I hesitate, appearing genuinely uncertain. Then I quietly push more chips forward, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'll... I'll raise. If that's all right."

Dante's eyebrows go up. The third player folds immediately. Dante regards me for several seconds, probablytrying to read the quiet wife who just made a substantial raise without any visible confidence.

He calls.

The turn and river don't help him. When I quietly reveal my straight, there's a moment of stunned silence around the table.

"Well," Dante says slowly. "Beginner's luck, I suppose."

I gather the chips with careful, modest movements. "I'm sorry. I hope I’m following the rules?"

"Perfectly fine," he says, but his tone has shifted. "Would you like to play another hand?"

I glance around nervously, as if seeking permission. "Luca said only one hand. I shouldn't take too much of your time. I’d better stop before he comes back."

"One more," Dante insists. He thinks he got unlucky against a timid amateur. "Luca won’t mind. Higher stakes this time. Make it interesting."

We agree to play the next hand with a five-thousand-euro minimum to sit in. Serious money, even for these men.

I'm dealt pocket queens. Excellent starting hand.

That's when I sense movement. Luca is standing directly behind my chair now, close enough to see exactly what cards I'm holding.

I wait for the betting to come around, then quietly push chips forward. No fanfare, no confidence. Just Sofia trying not to cause trouble.

"You're sure about this, Mrs. Romano?" one of the other players asks gently. "These stakes are quite high."

I feel Luca watching every move, seeing every card.

The flop comes Queen, Seven, Two. I now have three queens.

Dante bets aggressively. The others call. When it comes to me, I blow out a long breath, then quietly push a substantial raise forward.

"Is this too much?" I say in barely a whisper.

The men exchange glances. A timid woman who keeps making strong bets is either incredibly lucky or playing them all for fools.

Dante calls. So does one other player.

The turn is a blank. The river is another blank.

When I reveal my three queens, the silence stretches longer this time.

"Incredible luck," Dante says, but his smile is strained now.

I've just won nearly fifteen thousand euros in two hands, acting like I barely understand what's happening.

"I think that's enough for tonight," comes Luca's voice from behind me, quiet and controlled. “We should get going. I’m sorry, fellas. Urgent business calls.”