AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Ignorant bastard,” Sydney hisses, stowing the pistol back in her purse, then eyes me. “If these are the type of people you have at your games, consider this to be the one and only time I will be a part of it. I came to unwind, have a few laughs, and play cards, not be called out my name by prejudiced assholes. My daddy used to say, ‘birds of a feather, flock together,’ so this just lets me know what type of man you are,Mr. DeLuca.”
“Sydney, wait. You got it all wrong. I am in no way, shape, or form like that motherfucker,” I protest as she picks up her purse, then starts to walk away.
She suddenly stops. With her back to me, Sydney says, “And it’s Ms. Morgan.”
Sydney continues out the door with Booker behind her. The instinct to run after her puts a knot in my stomach. Why was I feeling this way about a woman I just met? I know nothing about her other than she’s one hell of a poker player, a damn good shot, and extremely breathtaking. I’ll let her leave for now, but I will be paying Ms. Sydney Morgan a visit very soon.
“Mr. DeLuca, please believe that Pierre and I do not share Smitty’s way of thinking.” Prosper declares, getting my attention. He and Pierre look on as if their last day on Earth has arrived.
“Calm down, Prosper. I know the two of you don’t see things the same way as Smitty, and with that being said; I will return your buy-in fee. Tonight has been one that none of us expected. As they nod, I remind them, “Don’t forget you signed an NDA which covers everything that has happened here tonight, but if you want to act like you’re all high and mighty, remember there are cameras that can show the time you walked into this suite up until now.” They gape at each other.
“Mr. DeLuca, trust me when I say; I don’t want any parts on what happened here tonight,” Prosper states. “And I’m sure Pierre feels the same way as I do.”
“I do, I do,” Pierre cries, looking down at Smitty’s lifeless body.
Securing my pistol, I state, “That’s so good to hear, because this piece of shit didn’t know how to keep his filthy mouth shut and you see what happened to him. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about people having their views, but when you insult anyone in my establishment with any type of bigotry, I have a problem with that. All Sydney wanted to do was play a friendly game of Poker. Smitty took offense to that and couldn’t deal with the fact a woman had bested him. Because of that, he has been permanently silenced. As far as my records will show, none of you were here tonight.”
“Thank you, Mr. DeLuca,” Prosper states. “I sincerely hope that the actions Smitty showed will not keep us from partaking in future games.”
Reaching over to shake his hand, I respond, “And it won’t. Smitty acted on his own accord. I can’t fault the two of you for one man’s actions. He started the game off with hostility. Take your fees and if you want to be a part of the next game, you know how to get in touch with us.”
They nod in agreement as I shake Pierre’s hand as well.
“Enjoy the rest of your night gentlemen,” I state.
As they begin to leave the suite, Batista hands them their money.
“What a fucking night?” I sigh, rubbing my temples.
Chapter 3
Sydney Morgan
“Take me home, Booker,” I state as the valet parks his champagne-colored Jaguar F-TYPE.
He nods, handing me the briefcase, then opens the passenger side door. Booker gives the valet a tip, then gets in. After he adjusts the seat to accommodate his large frame, he shifts into drive, then pulls away from the casino.
