Bluffing the Devil(24)

"Man needs more than just a steak, love."

"Maybe later, I have a headache," I joked with him. "Seriously though, tomorrow we can head back home, and I will certainly give you much more than steak."

"Deal! Want to shake on it?" he asked me with hand stretched out to me.

"Sure!" I said as I shook my booty and then trotted away.

"Well, that's a much better shake than I had in mind, thanks love!" he called after me, chuckling.

"Are you two being inappropriate and lovey dovey again?" Rhea asked me as I went past her on the couch.

"Who, us?" I asked pointing back at Devin. "No, never!"

The fit of giggles that elicited should have made me want to throttle people in an epic pillow fight or something, but instead I giggled with them. They were right. It might not be a saint, but sinning sure was fun and giggle-worthy.

I decided to keep my complete outfit on for the tournament. I looked nice, my lucky bracelet was bound to bring me some luck at some point, and I was just feeling too lazy to change into something more comfy. I still grabbed my lucky hoodie on the way out as I kissed Devin and made him pinky-promise to call or text, as soon as anything changed. He vowed it on his freedom, which meant the absolute world to me.

The kiss he gave me as I was leaving made my heart quiver, my toes curl, and my breath traipse off into the night. I asked what made him kiss me that way and he said that he never wanted us to part ways without saying how we felt, or showing it with affection. You truly never know what might happen at any time. He was right to make that a new "rule" or habit for us. It made me even more happy and giggly, that he brought it up instead of me. It seemed like an emotionally awesome thing to do, and for the guy to initiate it that meant something to me.

With that realization came another rude awakening that Devin was turning me into a sweet little girly girl that swooned over everything. I wasn't sure I was going to like that very much. I simply don't "do" being girly.

I walked back through the suite and headed for the front door when Devin pounced on me like a lion and gave me a quick kiss. He grabbed my hand and said, "Good luck. See you in a bit?"

"Thank you!" I was giggling from the sneak-attack kiss. "Yes, I promise! See you in a bit."

I had a horrendous habit of saying things I should not say to Devin. I just broke my biggest rule in life by promising to return. I knew I wanted to and, I mean, he was in a hotel room, what's the worst that could happen? But, still a feeling of dread blazed through my stomach.

He kissed me again, "Sweet. I promise I will be good!" He padded off to watch awful football again as I walked out to chase my dream.

Chapter 16



We arrived at the casino with twenty minutes to spare before the game would start. The place was much more crowded than the night before because tonight was the main event; whoever won tonight would have a seat at the final in the biggest poker game in the world.

The floor had only nine tables set up for the final. Two players from each table the previous night were set to battle until the final six would meet at the main table and duke it out to find out who the champion of the entire tournament was.

Rey and I were, luckily, placed at separate tables again. I had played with a few of the people on my table before and knew their style. Three of the players actually greeted me before being seated, the other two were apparently much too busy and important to speak. My sites were set on them first to leave. No respect in a game like this meant you didn’t go far. Players smell cockiness and attitude and swarm. They aren't called "poker sharks" for nothing.

I saw Rhea and Victoria taking their seats in the assigned area. They were in my direct line of sight at my current table, so that put my mind at ease. I wouldn't have to look around all awkward all night to catch a signal from them in case Devin notified us about Carly.

I ordered a cranberry juice, put my hoodie in my lap, and lazily played with my lucky bracelet. I rolled the beads between my fingers almost like worry beads or a crucifix. I sent up a tiny, silent prayer for strength in the game and focus, before I knew it the announcer was telling us it was time to play.

The game started off quickly for me. I was getting great hands and making chips hand-over-fist. The two cocky players that were far too busy to notice us "fish" at the table were knocked out first. One of the other players I recognized gave me a slight nod after knocking the second jerk off the table.

"Well played," was all he said. It was a simple, but powerful term of respect, from one player to another.

"Thank you. You also," I returned the respect, always.

The rest of the game went by pretty quickly. The cards were coming and people were betting like there was no tomorrow. The fact was, this was the final night and there really was no tomorrow for any of the players. If someone wanted to make a move, being aggressive early and making things happen was the way to go. If you were someone that wanted to stay around a while though, you took your time, played the right hands, and changed things up so that no one could ever see what you were up to.

An hour into the game, I decided I wanted to try my chance with bluffing. I had a good, strong hand, but the board was not being nice to me. I made it look like I was excited about the potential of a good hand and made someone fold what I know had to have been a better hand. I didn't want to admit that I had done that and I immediately felt bad, so I just sat back and slow-played for the next few hands.

Time ticked away so slowly and I was becoming antsy when the first break was announced. I nearly vaulted from my seat and over to my friends for an update.

They had heard nothing from Devin on Carly's well-being. I contemplated taking a stroll back to the hotel to check on them, but was nervous not to make it back on time for the game to start back, so I stayed and got a new drink for myself and chatted with my girls for a bit.

Victoria volunteered to go back to the room in an hour if no one had called yet. She just wanted to make sure things were okay, and was worried that I was going to be distracted all night if I didn't have some information soon. She was right, of course, but I didn't want to admit that.

The break was over and Rey walked up to me as we were about to be seated again.

"Heard any news on your girl yet?"

"No, not yet. Victoria will go check on her in an hour, she says."

Rey looked over into the spectator area, sent a small wave to Rhea, who reciprocated quickly, and nodded to Victoria. She surprised me by nodding back. Their unspoken "I have her back when you aren't around" sort of truce was cute to me.

"Good luck," I said to Rey as he was heading to his table.

"You too, buttercup."

I rolled my eyes, "Really?"

"What? I haven't called you something cute all day. Give a fella a bone over here, geez!"

"Ha! Okay. Good luck, sugar bowl!"

"Well, okay you need to work on your nicknames, but see? That's a start and much better," he said with a sweet smile, and then sat at his own table. He and I had a rocky start, but he was turning out to be a really great friend.

I sat down, feeling uneasy and strange, but I couldn't figure out why. I chalked it up to nerves of nearing the end of this round.

When the dealer arrived, a chill crept up my neck. I looked up to see her.

"What are you doing here?" I asked in a hushed, but aggressive tone.

"I'm working here, lady. Do you have a problem with that?" The Devil grinned at me with her million dollar smile. I couldn't say anything or fight the fact that she was our dealer. Certainly she didn't usually work for the casino. She tricked someone into getting to deal. I knew her game, but what she was doing at my table was beyond me.

"What do you want?" I asked urgently, hoping she would get what she came for then leave.

"You."

"Oh, just like that. That's all?"

"Yes, you surrender yourself to me, I will have someone kill you, and then I will leave Rey and Devin in peace with their newfound freedom." She spoke so calmly as she brushed the felt and prepared her seat for the game.

"And if I don't want to "surrender" myself to you?"

"Then you are in for a world of hurt. I will have your soul, theirs, and everyone's that you love before the night is over. Don't test me, little girl. Your power means nothing to me." Her eyes flashed in anger and heat bellowed off of her.

"I have no power! Why would you want me?"

She looked up slowly from the table, "You don't even know what you are, do you?" I could feel her evil chuckle all the way at the pit of my stomach. "You are preciously delightful."

"No, what am I?"

"Oh no, I’m sorry darling. One doesn't show their hand until they absolutely have to. Pay to play," she sneered.

"No thanks. I don't play your kind of game, bitch." My contempt for her and her bullshit was definitely showing on my face. The other players at the table looked a little bewildered and then one signaled the floor manager and let them know that there was a conflict of interest at our table.