I nodded and fixed my shirt. “Perfect.”
I walked into the VIP area and instantly spotted the three men sitting around the poker table.
“Ready to lose millions so early?” I shouted, gaining their attention.
“My favorite asshole,” Arnoldo sneered. “Good to see you, man.”
“I don’t recall ever losing anything,” Dillon said and turned his head to Mikkel.
“No comment,” Mikkel said with a chuckle, and I took my seat.
Nights like these were to die for, and by the time I got settled in and sent for the top-shelf alcohol, Alex and Lucio joined.
“About time you showed up,stronzos,” I teased, shuffling a deck of cards with expert precision.
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Alex replied, taking a seat between Mikkel and Dillon. “Let’s see if you guys can keep up tonight.”
The dealer handed out the chips, each of us receiving a generous stack. Money wasn’t an issue here; we were all wealthy enough to turn this into a night of high stakes and higher thrills.
“Alright, gentlemen, let’s play,” Arnoldo declared, adjusting his cufflinks before placing the opening bet.
The game began with the familiar rhythm of chips clinking and cards being dealt. We started with Texas Hold’em, and the firstfew rounds were light, each of us testing the waters and gauging the others’ strategies.
“So, Ronan,” Alex said, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Heard you’ve been seeing a lot of Nina lately. How’s that going?”
I chuckled, shaking my head. “Not giving away any secrets tonight, Alex. Focus on the game.”
“Fine, keep your secrets,” Alex replied, smirking as he called Arnoldo’s raise.
The conversation flowed as freely as the drinks, each of us taking turns ribbing the others about business ventures, relationships, and the occasional scandal.
Dillon leaned back, assessing his hand with a critical eye. “I’m raising,” he said, pushing a significant pile of chips into the center. “Let’s see if any of you have the guts to follow.”
“Big talk from the guy who lost a fortune in Seattle last month,” Mikkel quipped, but he matched the raise without hesitation.
“I’m in,” I said, pushing my chips forward. The tension heightened as the dealer revealed the flop: Ace of Spades, King of Hearts, and Ten of Diamonds.
Lucio’s poker face was unreadable, but his eyes flickered with interest. “Check,” he said, the word a challenge in itself.
My brother wasn’t a man of many words.
Hell, he’d be here and wouldn’t even speak.
Alex and Arnoldo folded, leaving the four of us to battle it out. The turn card was the Queen of Clubs, and Dillon’s expression shifted subtly.
“Bet,” he announced, sliding more chips forward.
Mikkel raised an eyebrow. “Feeling lucky, are we? Call.”
I glanced at my cards and then at the board. The potential for a straight was there, and my instincts told me to go for it. “Raise,” I said, pushing in even more chips.
Lucio’s gaze narrowed, and after a moment’s hesitation, he folded. “You guys are crazy,” he muttered, leaning back to watchthe showdown.
The river card was the Jack of Hearts, completing the straight. Dillon and Mikkel exchanged glances, their competitive spirits fully engaged.
“All in,” Dillon said, his voice steady.
Mikkel looked at his cards, then at the pile of chips. “You know what? Why not? All in.”
