“So you can taunt me into driving a stake through your heart?” I scoffed. “That’s not a game I want to keep playing. I think my chances of winning are better here.”
“Our game is far from over.” The promises hidden within Kale’s statement echoed across the distance between us.
There was an awkward pause where neither of us spoke. I grasped for words, wondering why I’d thought this call would make me feel better. Somehow, I couldn’t accept that things between Kale and me were so irreparably damaged.
“Anyway,” I stammered. “I just wanted to make sure things were all good there. So have a good night and, um, try not to kill anybody.”
Before I could hang up Kale said, “Alexa…don’t get killed, ok? I like you with a heartbeat.”
The last bit was cryptic, spoken with a smile judging by the lilt to his tone. It sent a chill through me that left me staring at the phone long after he’d hung up.
I ambled up to the poker table, doing my best to take my sweet time. Only Shaz glanced up at my approach. The two vampires locked in card combat had eyes only for each other. Sloane had vacated, leaving the men without a voice of reason. I guess it would have to be me. Joy.
“So, what did I miss?” I slid into the chair beside Shaz, taking note of the amount of chips in each vampire’s possession. Things were not looking good.
“Besides some arrogant bets that didn’t pay off? Not much.” He stared pointedly at Arys who scowled. “He might be able to bluff a good game back home, but I think he’s met his match here.”
“It’s a game of strategy, pup. I know what I’m doing. Would you care to get in on this?” Arys asked snidely, his temper short.
Shaz ran a finger through the condensation on his beer bottle. He wore a bored expression. “Not at all. I’ll leave the stupid decisions in your hands. You’re doing a great job so far.” He followed up with a sarcastic thumbs up.
I studied him in small glances so he wouldn’t notice. He hadn’t been back long, but after a month in the wilderness, spending much of his time as wolf, Shaz had come back with some serious attitude. Of course, he’d always been confrontational with Arys.
“Game of strategy, huh?” Jenner’s laughter rang with satisfaction. Slapping his cards down on the table, he snickered. “You’ve lost your touch, my friend.”
A straight flush mocked us from the tabletop. I watched with growing horror as Arys’s chances of winning grew smaller. He stared in disbelief. Jenner was kicking his ass. If Arys didn’t win a few hands, it was over.
Jenner toyed with his chips, picking up a stack and letting it slide through his fingers. The sound they made grated on my senses, an endless clink that quickly got under my skin.
“Maybe it’s karma,” Jenner offered, sliding the chips faster, louder. “You f**ked me over, and now it’s your turn, Arys. Let’s end this.”
“Yeah, why not?” Shaz chimed in. “Some of us don’t have precious time to waste.”
Arys met my gaze. Other than the muscle twitching in his clenched jaw, he was unreadable. I half expected him to touch my mind, to say something. He didn’t.
Instead, Jenner asked me, “What do you think, sweetheart? Feeling lucky?” Confidence oozed from him.
I ignored him and his cocky smile. Intimidating me wasn’t necessary. I was already afraid. However, I was also ready to fight. The wolf paced inside me, certain she’d get her shot at Jenner yet.
Everyone stared at me, awaiting my response. My head swam from the booze and blood. The noise and lights assaulting my senses had begun to dull. All things considered, I was feeling pretty good.
To Arys I said, “Do whatever you gotta do, babe,” staying committed to our united front.
Arys flung ten grand in chips down, a challenge adorning his handsome face. I didn’t know what cards the dealer had dealt him, but he seemed happy with it. Waiting for Jenner to decide if he was bluffing had me on pins and needles. Unable to stay seated, I paced the length of the table. Jenner’s eyes flashed in irritation so I shot him a snide smile. Perspiration greased my palms. Calming breaths did nothing to help.
They played a few more hands with neither vampire sustaining much damage. Then, the cards stopped in a long pause as decisions were made.
I didn’t have the patience for this shit. The waitress brought me another whiskey, which I eagerly snatched. A cloud of perfume surrounded her, taunting me with a hint of musk and human. Our fingers touched as I accepted the drink, and my gaze fell to her neck.
“Can I offer you anything else?” She asked, tilting her head to reveal two bites hidden beneath her hair. Jenner must pay these people damn good.
“No,” I snapped, more forcefully than intended. “Thank you.”
It took a moment to regain my composure. The heady atmosphere of the club made it difficult. Talking myself down from the ledge became a lot easier when Jenner’s triumphant shout broke through my thoughts.