Page 11 of Untouchable Billionaire (The Hardcore Novels: Special Editions #1)

I sit down and hand her my new Been Jammin' card.

She swipes it, then slides it back with a large stack of chips.

I can feel the eyes of the other gamblers on us.

I peel two off the top and push them back to her.

She accepts the tip graciously, then turns her attention back to the entire table and says. "Place your bets."

I put four chips in the betting circle and watch her manicured hands deal the cards.

I can tell by the way she handles the deck that she has been a dealer for years.

I sit in silence. The last one takes a hit and wins with 21.

Rebecca turns her card over to reveal she has a Queen and a ten.

They groan again. The player on the end looks at me and says.

"You can have my spot, bro. Her luck is changing. "

After an hour, the original gamblers have all left, and before others take their place, I question her.

"How long have you worked here?" I push my chips to place my bet.

"Three years."

"Have you always been a dealer?"

"No. I started as a dancer." She deals the hand.

"Why aren't you dancing now?"

She smiles. "Better hours and less work."

"Ah!" I fall silent and tap the table to take a hit. She flips a queen up, and I bust. I lean back and stretch my arms as she takes my chips, enjoying the view. A cocktail waitress stops next to me and asks if I would like a drink. I order my usual, then ask Rebecca as I bet again.

"So, who is Surreal?"

"She's our star attraction."

"Is she any good?"

She smirks at me, raises an eyebrow, and repeats her statement. "She's our Star attraction!"

I laugh. "I saw her banner. She must be really good."

"She's our ...."

I hold my hand up and stop her, laughing with her.

"Did you dance with her?"

"I did."

"What can you tell me about her?"

"Nothing."

I tip my head and say. "Now come on."

She laughs. "I'm not at liberty to discuss her."

I slide six chips her way and raise my eyebrows with a smirk on my face.

She takes the chips. "Thank you. That's very generous of you."

"I just want to know how good she is."

She eyes me. "Are you a reporter, a blogger, or ...." She stops short of saying it.

"A stalker?" I laugh at that. "Do I look like a stalker?"

She stays serious. "No, but a girl can't be too careful. Why are you asking?"

"It's business, not personal."

She studies me. "An agent?"

"An investor."

"Ah!" She says, knowing that's the truth.

I stand up, pull my money clip out, and find a business card to give her.

She looks at it and says. "She's the STAR attraction because she is unbelievably awesome at what she does."

I chuckle. "Is that the only answer I'm going to get out of you?"

She grins, then says. "I truly can't tell you anything other than that because I don't know anything other than that."

"But you danced with her."

"Yes. I did."

The cocktail waitress returns, and I tip her, then ask her. "Who is Surreal?"

She answers the same way. "She's our star attraction."

"Can you tell me anything else about her?"

She says. "No. Top secret." Then walks away to deliver the other drinks on her tray.

I look back to Rebecca for clarification. "Her identity is top secret?"

She looks at me with a confused grin. "Yes. No one knows who she really is. They keep her isolated. They don't even tell the other dancers when a performance is scheduled. We had to be ready at the drop of a hat. It was very stressful for me."

I listen intently, letting her continue.

"Not the dance routine, but not knowing if it was Surreal or the real deal. A screwup or misstep might mean your career, you know? Some of the celebrities are real bitches." She looks at me, wanting me to agree, but the confused frown on my face makes her laugh. "No. You obviously don't know."

"I'm confused. What am I missing here?"

"When there is a 'Surreal' performance," she does quotes with her fingers, "no one knows if the dancer is Surreal or JLo, or Brittany, or Beyoncé."

"Oh! She's an impersonator!" I laugh.

"Yes." She joins me. "You didn't know that?"

"No. I missed that key fact."

"She's an excellent investment if that is what you want to know."

A new player sits down, and our conversation ends for several games, then I ask her. "So, do you miss dancing?"

"Not really." The other player stands. "I enjoy dealing, and the tips can be just as good." She smiles at him. He smiles back and slides her a chip. She thanks him, and he leaves. She deals another game to me.

"What can you tell me about Seary?" I ask for a hit by touching my cards.

She smirks as she flips one up for me. "She's our headliner."

I smirk back and cover my cards. "Did you dance with her too?"

"Yes. I did, and she's the real reason you're asking these questions."

I laugh. "Busted. Tell me about her." Leaning forward, I rest my forearms on the table and study her. "Is she any good?"

She laughs. "She's our headliner. Of course, she is good." She takes two cards and loses.

When she pushes my winnings to me, I ask. "Can you talk about her?"

"Yes. I can talk all day about her."

"So talk." I tip her two chips, then push four more at her. She eyes them, and I lay my hand down on top of them, covering them. "Tell me everything you know about Seary."

She laughs out loud. "She's great! The best dancer I've ever had the pleasure of sharing the stage with."

"What makes her so special?"

"Special? She's not just special. She's unforgettable.

" I laugh at that over-the-top analysis, and she says.

"I'm serious. She is more than a natural talent.

She's a phenom." I smirk, and she gets defensive.

"I'm telling you straight up. Her dance interpretation is so unique!

" She looks away, remembering. "It's really amazing the way she lets go, getting into the music and the moment.

There is no counting, no thinking, just pure art.

" She looks back. "Seary is one of those dancers that comes along once in a lifetime.

" She looks back at me. "You'll get to see her tonight. She's scheduled to dance."

I nod. "I'm looking forward to it. Anything else you want to add?" I look down at the chips under my hand.

She grins really big. "Yeah. She's a real sweetheart too. The kind of girl that other girls love." Her fingers touch her ear, and she looks down at the table, then smiles a bright smile. "Your party has arrived and is waiting for you with Beverly."

"Excellent." I push the chips to her and stand. "Thanks for the intel."

"No problem. Stop back by on your way out later."

"If you're still here, I will." I wink at her.

"I want to hear you say. 'Rebecca. You were right. Seary is unforgettable.'"

I chuckle and give her a doubtful smile. "It takes a lot to impress me." Then I turn and walk away to find out for myself if Seary really is unforgettable.