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When he hit the casinos for the first time, he didn’t even bat an eye. The other players laughed at the young gun. They didn’t know what hit them. He was a wildfire that spread across the country and then across the world. The tournaments got more advanced from the United Kingdom to Australia, the Caribbean to the Asia Pacific, and he continued his rise to the top.
He made millions, he achieved fame, and the most important thing, he took care of his mom the way he wished his deadbeat dad had. While the money didn’t mean much to him, it gave him the opportunity to spoil his mother, and he gave her everything she could ever need and more. She lived in luxury until her untimely passing.
After his mom's death, he didn't have any reason for generosity anymore. He was looking out for numero uno now. Life was comfortable, and he didn't want for anything. He had the freedom of time, of money, and of life.
Benton was the epitome ofbad to the bone. When riding his black Harley Davidson Road Glide motorcycle, with his height, muscular build, and his smoldering gray eyes, he was the very essence of his tiger shifter.
Reckless and wild, living in the moment, he kicked ass and took names. His mantra was to live life to the fullest, and that was exactly what he did. He wasn't a ladies' man, and he wasn’t a socialite. He just played poker.
Even though he had a penthouse in Athens, Georgia, he was always on the move. Wherever the next tournament was, he was. That was how he became the best, one of the top players in the world. Besides, he was used to the nomad life. It didn't seem like he was meant to stay in one place for too long.
He didn’t need to hustle anymore, but the game gave him a thrill that he didn’t get anywhere else. He took his job very seriously, putting in hours of practice and fine-tuning his own skills. When he wasn't turning cards, he was practicing turning cards. He was always planning his next place, the next tournament, and the next round.
He had hustled for so long that he got a little bored with the routine. Benton decided to do a little sightseeing and take a little R&R. Like anyone, he needed to check in with activities he enjoyed outside of poker. Not like he would maintain like that for very long: he lived for poker.
While he was enjoying his sabbatical, an old friend reached out to him asking for a favor. Benton was not the type who went out of his way for other people, but this friend had helped Benton and his mother in their time of need. This person had bent over backward to help him and his mom, so he would bend over backward to reciprocate. They had asked Benton to meet with someone.
His friend was not very specific about who he was meeting or why just that it was important. Benton had no idea what to expect as he waited at the restaurant for the liaison. A small and vibrant woman with short white hair and intense blue eyes sauntered up to the table.
Benton wasn’t usually one for etiquette, but he stood for the greeting, shaking her hand firmly. She seemed excited about the contact, harboring a huge and compelling smile.
“Thank you for meeting with me, Mr. O'Connell. May I call you Benton?"
Benton gave a curt nod.
"My name is Gerri Wilder.”
“Nice to meet you, Gerri. Please sit.”
As they both settled in their chairs with glasses of water, Benton leaned on the table and narrowed his eyes at this strange woman. He couldn't quite size her up or what her angle was. She seemed completely at ease, leaning back into her bistro chair.
“So, Gerri, you obviously know who I am, but I am not sure why you would want to meet with me. Can you tell me what this is about?”
“Do you not know who I am?” Gerri cocked an eyebrow at Benton as a mischievous smile curled her lips. This surprised Benton, but he tried to hide his discomfort.
“Honestly, I have no idea. I was told by a friend to meet with you, but they didn’t give many details.”
“Ah, well, I am involved in many charity projects. I organize events and make necessary connections to help said charities as well as nonprofits to run smoothly. In fact, there is one in particular that I have asked you here to discuss.
"There is a charity poker tournament happening in Indiana in a few days. I know of your impressive background. I am here to ask you if you would like to champion the organization that is hosting the event.”
While Benton enjoyed the stroke of his ego, he wasn't sold on the idea. He wiggled back into his chair, crossing his arms casually. He didn't bother to hide his indifference. Gerri also shifted in her chair, clearly still at her leisure.
“And what pray tell is the charity?”
“Senior Rights, an organization dedicated to the assistance of the elderly in need. A noble cause, obviously.” She sipped her water casually.
Benton was not sure what to say. He didn’t really have any interest in winning money for someone else, no matter how noble the cause. But he also told his friend that he would see this woman through.
“I see,” Gerri replied to his silence. “Well, I happen to be a gambling woman myself, and I have a little tip that could sweeten the pot. I am sure you are a busy man with your attention pulled in multiple directions. However, this event would be special for you in particular. Would you be more interested if I told you that your fated mate would be there?” She held his eyes, obviously trying to lure him in.
“Fated mate? Can you clarify that?” He had heard the term, but he was definitely not familiar with what it meant. His parents were shifters, and yet he watched his mother move them around like nomads because his father had let her down. Didn’t seem like fate.
“Ah, a fated mate is the person you are destined to be with, the reason for your journey in this life. All shifters have a fated mate out there waiting. You too.”
While his tiger’s ears perked up, Benton was uninterested.
We tried dating, he reminded his tiger,butnothing ever stuck.
