Page 76 of Vampire so Virtuous

“That’s me out. Gentlemen, it’s been a pleasure,” Bill said, pushing back his chair and extending a hand to Antoine. “Gabe,” he added with a nod across the table, “thanks for clearing me out. Next week?”

He picked up his glass of brandy and drained the last swallow, setting it down again. “You know,” he said thoughtfully, “it’s no wonder you two keep winning. Neither of you drink.” His brow furrowed briefly. “Kind of odd, if I think about it.”

“No, it isn’t,” Gabriel said mildly, and Antoine caught the faintest trickle of his power.

Bill blinked. “You’re right. Of course it isn’t.” He adjusted his jacket. “Well, have a great weekend, and enjoy the last few hands.”

Antoine waited as Bill left, the door clicking shut behind him. Then he turned to Gabriel. “Split the winnings?” He’d held on to his advantage, and the offer was generous.

Gabriel eyed their respective stacks. “Sure.”

The dealer swept the cards from the table, stacking the deck neatly to one side before pulling two one-hundred-thousand-dollar chips and two fifty-thousand-dollar chips. He slid one of each to both men. “You may exchange these at the desk on your way out, gentlemen.”

Antoine leaned back in his chair, idly spinning a poker chip between his fingers. The dealer slipped out without a word, leaving the two of them alone.

“I spoke to Minh the other week,” Gabriel began, his tone light as he mirrored Antoine’s relaxed posture.

“Is this place secure?”

“Quite. It’s the Berkshire,” Gabriel replied smoothly. “Besides, I have thralls on the staff.”

“Of course you do.” It seemed Antoine was the only one who didn’t keep an army at his back.

Gabriel watched him closely. “He seemed rather fixated on you.”

Antoine flicked one chip against another with a soft clink. “Mmm. He’sbeen visiting me, too. I suspect he’s eyeing my territory.”

Gabriel scoffed. “He wouldn’t stand a chance.”

“He seems to not know that.”

“Evidently not,” Gabriel agreed. “He has shifted his focus your way, though. According to my thralls, his east side is wide open. He’s planning something. Not that he’s ever been subtle.”

Antoine tilted his head, feigning mild curiosity. “Oh?”

“Don’t play coy,” Gabriel said. “You know what I mean.”

Antoine spun the chip effortlessly between his fingers. “I don’t keep thralls in Minh’s territory. Or yours, for that matter.”

Gabriel’s smile was slow, almost feline. “I know. I suppose this is where I reassure you I have none in yours.”

“I wouldn’t ask you to. Friends don’t lie to each other.”

“Are we friends?”

Antoine returned his attention to the green baize. “We could be, if we don’t lie to each other.”

“True.” Gabriel hesitated briefly. “Would you tell me, then, if you knew what Minh was planning?”

“If I knew Minh’s plans, I’d tell you. Happily.”Not a word of a lie, either.

Gabriel studied him before shifting slightly in his chair. “Did you know the Curia is coming to Boston?”

Antoine wasn’t quick enough to mask his surprise.

Satisfaction flickered across Gabriel’s face. “Thought not. You do have a habit of keeping yourself… isolated.”

“I keep to myself.”