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I gifted her with my most special smile. “Is my cut also eighty percent?”
She laughed. I took that as a no.
One of these days,I thought as I stood,I’m going to play for me only. And keep all the damn money.
Theo cupped my elbow and I used his assistance to slip on my heels.
We said our good-byes to Rada, and while I knew we were committing to a deal with a snake, at least I knew the type of venom this one carried. All Rada wanted in this instance was money, and I would give it to her.
Many thought poker was a gamble, based purely on luck. It was nothing like that. Probabilities, statistics, knowing how to keep the pot low when you had a precarious hand or the subtleties of tricking your opponents to bet high required both a skill for mathematics and people. It was a type of tai chi that if done right, one could make it a lucrative career.
“The plan is as follows,” Theo said as we exited Rada’s mansion and went down the steps. I made sure he couldn’t see my eye-roll at hisas followspart. “Draw no attention to yourself. Bet well, play better, but don’t astound anyone. Can I count on you to do that?”
“Of course.”
“I mean it, Scarlet.”
“I’m not an idiot. I’m aware how important this night is, and no greed of mine is going to ruin it.”
“Or ego.”
“Yes, because that’s something you’re unfamiliar with.”
“Scarlet,” he warned.
“Allright. No, my ego will not become a part of this night at all. Not one iota.”
“You’re over-selling it.”
“The way this conversation is going, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say we didn’t just have shower sex.”
Theo skipped a step.
I smiled and walked ahead.
Point, Scarlet.
When we reached the car, Theo said behind me, “I’m only trying to keep you safe.”
“I know,” I said to him, but it was with unintended sadness.
“If all goes well, tonight will be it. You do this, then we’re done.”
I nodded. Went back to playing with my necklace, my stomach whirling with washing machine precision.
“I get it,” I said, but added a smile to my flat tone. “It’s just sex.”
“You think I’m not putting your interests first?” he asked, pulling open the passenger-side car door. My gut was shot by that annoying trigger calledhope.Theo stitched over the ache by adding, “I’m getting you some hamburgers first.”
