Page 62 of When He Plays

Carmichael tossed aside his cards. “I’m done.” He stood. Headed for the door.

Pierre also rose.

“Stop.” Logan’s low voice.

Carmichael and Pierre froze.

His head turned toward them. “You two are really just going to waltz out, after you both watched his lover deal from the bottom of the deck? Like it’s some amateur hour?” Logan glanced back to catch the dealer’s reaction to his words.

Evelyn’s eyes widened. Fear flashed on her face.

“How dare you—” Ares snarled.

“Oh, whatever.” Logan rolled his eyes. “Pierre and Carmichael both saw it. They aren’t saying shit because you must have cut a deal with them before I arrived. Got to say, huge mistake, gentlemen. You picked the wrong side. Now I’ll have to destroy you both.”

Pierre broke first, as Logan had known he would. “I—no. No deal. And you’re right, she cheated. I saw her! She did it on the hand you lost.” He pointed at Evelyn. “That’s why I quit. I knew what she was doing.”

Carmichael just sighed.

“You can’t prove that she cheated,” Ares snapped.

“Sure, I can.” What, did Ares think Logan just threw out accusations for fun? “You were recording the whole show from that little camera you have hidden in here. You always keep cameras in your place. We all know that.”

Ares didn’t deny the charge.

“Pull up the feed,” Logan challenged. “Rewind it. We’ll all see her. Blatant moves. Shaky fingers. She was far too nervous tonight.”

Evelyn backed away from the table. “I’m sorry,” she whispered to Ares.

Like that wasn’t a confession.

Ares glared hard at Logan and he⁠—

“Logan.” Husky. Weak.

Immediately, his gaze swung to the door.

Charlotte stood there, with a guard pulling on her arm.

“Sorry, sir,” the guard apologized to Ares. “She caught me unaware. I will escort her back to the⁠—”

He didn’t even hear the rest of the guard’s words because Logan’s attention was on Charlotte’s face. On the way her eyelids were drooping, as if she struggled to stay conscious. He bounded across the room. “Get your fucking hands off her!” A lethal order.

The guard let go.

Charlotte couldn’t seem to hold herself upright. She began to fall.

Logan caught her. He scooped her into his arms.

“Logan…” Again. Weak. Slurred?

He tightened his grip around her as he cradled her against his chest. “What in the fuck is happening?”

Ares grimaced. “Looks like your lady had too much to drink.” He sidled closer. “Let one of my guards take her back to the study to rest while you and I finish our game⁠—”

“Screw the game,” Logan growled. “Charlotte did not have too much to drink. Not in fucking thirty minutes, she did not. Don’t you dare try that shit with me.” He rushed her toward one of the empty chairs and carefully lowered her onto the seat. “Charlotte?”

She tried to look at him, but her head sagged forward.