Looking at that single nine staring back up at her she could barely believe what had just happened. She looked like she was trying to think of something witty to say but all that came out of her mouth was, “Well don’t that just…” But words seemed to fail her as she stopped mid-sentence and let out a rather undignified harrumph. After taking a moment to calm herself with a series of deep breaths, she stood up. I could see the frustration hanging off her like a cloak and it took a moment for her to regain a mask of serenity, but then, that was probably due to the very smug look on Patrick’s face.
Once again in complete control of herself, she turned to Patrick and said. “Well played, Patrick. I’d say best of luck but I’m sure you understand my preference that you lose.” She abruptly turned around to face me and before the pair of hired muscles could grab her she leaned down and wrapped her arms around my neck and whispered her farewell to me. “I hope you can teach him one hell of a lesson, Marcus. I really wish you the best of luck. On the bright side, you didn’t knock me out, so we can still be friends.”
Looking up into her eyes I could see the playfulness that had so quickly captured my soul. “Thank you, Bella. I think I’m going to need it.” Without another word she collected her drink and made her way into the audience to watch the outcome of the game. I could tell she was hoping for me to take that smug man for all he was worth. I certainly hoped I was up for the challenge.
Then there were three. With so few of us I started keeping hands that I would have otherwise dismissed, because, at this stage of the game, too few cards are put into play. Fortunately for me after a few more hands of nothing I was kissed by Lady Luck when the dealer gave me a pair of kings. I quickly raised Tyson’s two million dollar bet by another two million. Patrick chose to fold but Tyson decided to try and double up at my expense. If I called his new bet, I would risk all but a handful of my chips. But then, I did have a pair of kings, he would have to have a pair of aces to have the upper hand on me, and I had a very good feeling about this hand.
I leaned back in my chair, looked over at Tyson and said, “You sure you want to do that Tyson?”
“Yes, Marcus, I’m sure that I want to do this.” Tyson said with his lifeless eyes. “It’s about time I faced Patrick in the showdown.”
“Careful, Tyson, you’re starting to show a little emotion.”
The dig may not have been the most appropriate thing to say, since the slight hue of eagerness gave way to the second emotion I have seen on his face, irritation. “You are a good player Marcus, but you aren’t in the same league as Patrick or myself.”
“Then again Tyson, you’re not in my league either.” Patrick chirped in.
“We shall see who is better after I knock our friend out.” Tyson said coolly.
How comfortable was I about this hand? I had to remember that I have never seen Tyson lose when he has gone all in. Granted I had only seen him reveal his hand a couple of times, mostly everyone else had backed down, having been unwilling to risk losing their stack. But then, if I won his stack I would be about even with Patrick, which would help. “Well, Tyson, you’re not going to get away with the bullying this time. I call.”
No sooner were the words out of my mouth than Tyson flipped over his cards showing me the other pair of kings. He had the red kings. I flipped my pair and showed the kings of clubs and spades.
“Unbelievable. The same hand!” Tyson exclaimed in a clipped voice.
“Well it seems we shall probably live to fight another day.” I commented, not expecting an answer.
Tyson and I looked over at the dealer and watched as he revealed the flop, the seven and queen of spades along with the five of diamonds. And just like that, I had a possible flush draw. It would take a miracle for me to get two more spades but I had the opportunity and that was amazing.
“Well, Tyson, it seems this hand just got a bit more interesting.” Patrick said with a smile, he could have been a little less obvious with his apparent desire to play me rather than the living statue.
“The odds still favor us to split the pot, Patrick.”
“We’ll see what happens in a moment.” I said as I motioned for the dealer to reveal the next card, a ten of spades.
“He only needs one more spade and you’re out my silent friend.” Patrick narrated.
“The odds are not in his favor.”
Please just give me one more spade. One more spade that is all that I need. Please just give me one more. I watched the dealer burn the last card for the hand and time seemed to slow down to a crawl. I could probably have killed a thousand flies if they had happened to fly in front of me right then. I watched as he pulled the last card off of the pile and I waited for it to be flipped over. All I needed was a spade and it would be me and Patrick in the showdown.
I could almost see the face of the card. Was it black? Hurry up and move faster, you stupid dealer, move faster! As if on command, time seemed to speed back up and the ace of spades was staring up at us all. I had made my flush! I had beat Tyson! I looked over to Patrick and promised myself right then and there that I would do the same to Patrick.
“Congratulations, on the pure luck Marcus.” Tyson said with what seemed to be petulance, or would be if it had come out of anyone else’s mouth. But when I looked over, he had already been collected by Dempsey’s minions.
I shifted my gaze back to Patrick and smiled my warmest smile, “And then there were two.”
“May the best man, win.”
Chapter 12