Bluffing the Devil(29)

"That might have been the cutest thing anyone has ever said to me."

"Is that a yes?"

"Of course it is!" A sweet kiss to my lips sealed the deal. "The only thing is…"

"Oh goodie a stipulation, I will not like any basketball team named after a body of water, nor will I eat mushrooms. Those are both deal breakers."

His riot of laughter warmed my heart. He took my hand, "I want you to leave me here."

"What? You want to stay here without me?"

"No, I want to always be with you, but I think if I stay here, I can earn her trust again and have an inside scoop on what is going on. You can visit me in your dreams and, whenever we decide it's a good time, you can come storming in and steal me away again."

"I do not want you to be deceptive for any cause. I want you to be with me and fight on my side. If you stay here, surely she will punish you or worse. I don't want to leave that to chance. I know I am strong enough to beat her. In time, I will figure out what I can do and with you and the rest of my herd, we will keep the peace, fight for good, and eventually triumph."

"Herd, really?"

"I just used that term earlier and it just sorta stuck for now, though I see us more as a flock, especially since we have an angel on staff now," I chuckled.

"An angel? I have missed so much apparently."

"Jamison came to me tonight. It's a long story that I will tell you all about… if you come home with me." I held my hand out as my final offer. Devin was a good soul and wanted nothing but good for the world. Going with me was the true way to get it. Staying, while it had benefits, would make us both suffer and might help us find victory, but not in a way that we should earn it.

Epilogue



The buzz around the poker community was that the top two players of the tournament had run away together, leaving the next in line to ultimately win it all. The fellow that had joked about her entrails being on our chips walked away with the bracelet and cash prize. The kid had talent and was going to go far.

We had gone back to the suite, quickly thrown our belongings in our suitcases, and got the hell out of there. No good was coming from that place and we’d had our fill.

Rhea and Victoria attacked me when they saw me. Victoria had checked me over completely and then let Rhea have a turn.

Rey had explained to them what I was and a bit of what happened. The craziest part of it all was that they just accepted it. Right away, no questions asked, just accepted. They both said that they knew there was something special about me and that they wouldn't have it any other way. That was just another reason to add to the pile of why I loved them so dearly.

Then we all cried together over the loss of our friend. I told them my plan about eventually trying to save her. While they appeared slightly skeptical, everyone came to the agreement that if I thought something was worth saving then it probably was. Either they were scared to hate on the nuhra or they truly believed in me. Either way, it was nice to configure possible future encounters with our friend-turned-enemy.

~

Heading back home was a bittersweet moment. I was leaving behind a place where I had learned so much about myself in such a short time. I was also forever leaving behind the life of professional poker that I had grown to love so much. Of course, I could still play local tournaments, online, and occasionally guilt my friends into playing with me, but nothing gets a girls blood pumping quite like $250,000 on one hand. Blind, all-in. What.a.rush!

The house seemed so huge and cold when I walked in. That early fall weather crept in before I knew it. I dropped my bags in the foyer and headed to the kitchen to make tea.

"Well it's about time you made it, I was starting to wonder if you told me the wrong address to try to get rid of me," I heard behind me.

"As if I could get rid of you so easily," I said and jumped into Devin's arms and he dropped the keys to the other car on the side table.

"Did you drop Rey off at the guest house?"

"I sure did and Rhea decided to stay and help him get settled," he added with a knowing grin.

"I'm sure she did!" I grinned with him. The past few days certainly turned our lives upside-down. Amazing what a little change can do for a girl!

"And now, I need a shower!" he announced. "I recall someone owing me one of those. You know, I'm new here. I need guidance to learn how to use one of those things." His wicked grin pushed me.

"Race you to the top of the stairs, second door on your right, ready? Go!"