The Player (The Game Maker #3)(67)

Yep. Just as I knew he would’ve let that mare prance right into this house. “Dmitri, if I asked you for something large and unusual, could you swear never to investigate why?” I twined my fingers, touching the ring like a talisman. “To let it not make sense?”

“I can do anything to make you happy. But you must talk to me.”

I couldn’t bring myself to say the words.

He cupped my chin to lift my face. “I won’t tell you to trust me.” If he had, I would’ve bolted. “That will come in time. But I will ask my Vegas wife to take a chance on me.”

I released a breath. “Okay, here goes. Can I please . . . could I have a check today for three million dollars, no questions asked?”

He dropped his hand. “Sit.” He indicated the chair across from his desk.

Just great, Vice, f*cking great. How stupid could I have been? Now I’d blown everything! I hesitantly sat, preparing myself for whatever he was about to say.

He sat as well. “I am disappointed, Vika. In myself.”

“I . . . what?”

He steepled his fingers. “I haven’t made it clear enough that we share this fortune. You never need ask for what’s already yours. I hope we can consult about larger expenditures, but it’s not necessary.”

I could only gape at him.

“You don’t have to answer, but is this money for your parents?”

When I hesitated, he said, “I will never drill down on this or dig further.” Not a lie. “I ask because we could transfer the money. Immediately.”

Sell on the sizzle. “It’s a debt.” Maybe he’d think we had run afoul of the IRS, or needed to ward off a bankruptcy.

“If you have all the account data, we could complete the transfer now, to spare them any unnecessary worry.”

In a daze, I pulled up the information on my phone and handed it to him. “It’s under Joseph and Jill”—Gentleman Joe and Diamond Jill—“Valentine.”

Dmitri typed in numbers at a blinding speed, then said, “There. All taken care of.” He returned my phone.

I started to hyperventilate. “That just . . . happened? Did that really . . . just happen?”

“Of course, love.”

Even as my brain exploded from his generosity, I felt the stress of the last few months evaporating. My family would be safe.

He opened a desk drawer, retrieving a leather portfolio similar to the one that had contained the postnup. He stood and offered it to me. “I just got these in.”

Inside were checks and credit cards in my new name. Victoria Sevastyan.

If I wanted to, I’d never have to give a name other than this one. I stared up at him in wonder.

“Vika, if you decide to leave our marriage, this money will be yours no matter what occurs. That should not be a consideration if you choose to stay with me.” He pinned me with his gaze. “You should stay because we do very well together. You should stay because I make you happy.”

Complicated man! He’d shown such vulnerability earlier when he’d barely been able to utter the word divorce; now he was all blazing confidence.

I stood, reaching up to lay a hand against his cheek. “You truly just sent my family three million dollars?”

“No. I sent them five, to incentivize them to come to us when they are in need of money. I told you, I have no parents. Yours will become mine. We will be notorious for spoiling family, will we not?”

I burst into tears. Real ones.

“Why are you crying?” He looked nervous.

“Because I’m so relieved. And you’re so wonderful.” Two tears in a bucket—I’m keeping him.

Which meant he could never find out my past. Cold-as-Ice Vice was officially buried. I would put away my decks of cards, my costumes, my fake IDs, and wigs forever. I’d hide my past and keep my family separated from him as much as possible—and as long as possible.

I launched myself at him and hugged him hard, my tears wetting his shirt. “If I have my own money, I can buy anything I want?”

His voice was thick as he said, “Name it, ángel, and it’s yours.”

I drew back to face him. “I need to get my husband a wedding ring.”

He swallowed, and could only nod.





“I wish you were here to celebrate with us!” Karin cried over the music playing in the background.

The cartel had accepted the payment and cut us loose! Wham, bam, thank you, ma’am.

They were out of our lives forever.

My family had been drunk-texting me for hours.

“I know. I miss you guys.” My tone was hushed; once Dmitri had fallen asleep, I’d sneaked into the bathroom and briefly spoken to the less hammered members of my family.

Mom and Dad had sounded like their old selves for the first time in months.

Even over the tunes on the other end of the line, I heard a champagne cork popping.

Karin said, “I still can’t believe you got the guy, the ring, and the money—plus some serious gratis on top. Well done, sis. We applaud your grift sense.”

I’d told her all about my angst, as well as Dmitri’s promises to spoil our family. I’d begged them never to let my husband know what we were.

Which meant instant retirement for the Valentines. “Is everyone good with stepping out of the game? I mean, Dmitri did say I could spend money however I like. I’ll set up accounts for you guys.”