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He doesn’t appear to hear me. “Parenting a child isn’t easy. Ed is an alcoholic. He isn’t drinking now, but if he relapses…” His voice trails away.
“You said you needed a favor from me,” I murmur. “What do you want me to do?”
“Ed is working as a dealer in an underground poker hall,” Carter responds. “When he isn’t doing that, he acts as a shill in a different room. A shill is hired—”
“I know what a shill is.”
Dominic speaks up. “Both rooms are run by a man called Denton Mitchell. Mitchell is currently trying to buy my casino. Carter and I can’t go anywhere near his poker halls.”
I’ve been wondering what on Earth Carter wants me to do, and now it all becomes clear. “But I can.”
Carter nods. “I’ll pay you for your time. You already know how to play. I’ll cover your losses, and of course, you can keep your winnings. All you need to do is watch Wagner. If he’s drinking again, let me know.”
Carter’s completely glossing over the fact that he’s ignoring a judge’s orders. Do I really want to get dragged into this mess? Do I really want to dive in the middle of a custody dispute?
I don’t know what to do.
“If I find out he’s drinking, then what?”
“I call my lawyer. I get the courts involved.” He takes another breath and looks at me, stress and worry etched into his face. “Noah’s only six, Gabriella. He’s just a kid.”
Oh hell. I’m going to do it. I’m going to ignore the warning voice in my head that tells me not to get involved in this family dispute, and I’m going to dive in, because they’re in need, and I’m the idiot that doesn’t know how to back away before I get myself in trouble.
“I won’t be here for six weeks. I have a life back in the city. As soon as they find a replacement for Anna, I’m out of here.”
Hope floods Carter’s eyes. “I understand,” he says. “Even if you can only watch him for two weeks, it’s still better than nothing.” He turns to Dominic. “Gabriella’s here to be Nicky Z’s publicist. Yes, she’s staying at the Grand River, but nobody will have any reason to connect her to us. This could work. You know it could.”
“We have to get her into Mitchell’s rooms.” Dominic still looks tense. “Have you ever played poker at an underground hall?”
Have I ever.“Yes,” I respond. “The night we met, I was on my way to one.”
Dominic quirks an eyebrow. “Every time I think I have you figured out, Ella,” he says, his voice low and gravelly. “You say something that throws me off.” His gaze rests on me, and the look in his eyes sends an arrow of molten lust straight to my core. “You’re full of surprises.”
Now is not the time for lust.
I force my brain to work. “I don’t need you to get me into the game,” I tell them. “I’ll call my guy. He’s got connections.”
Carter shuts his eyes. Relief shudders through him. “Thank you, Gabriella.” He looks up at me. “I can never repay you for what you’re doing for me,” he says. “Name your price.”
Ninety-eight thousand, five hundred dollars.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Carter, I’m not going to take your money.” I cannot take advantage of Carter’s pain and grief. If I do, I will hate myself forever. If it comes down to it, I’ll suck it up and tell my parents what I did, and I’ll weather their disappointment.
But it might not come down to it. Carter said I could keep my winnings.
It’s easy to lose a hundred grand in a night. A lot harder to win it back. I have thirteen days to get it done.
Dominic moves back to the couch. “Now that’s out of the way, let’s talk about other things.” His voice dips seductively, and my brain goes blank. “While you’re in town, I’d love to catch up, Ella. Have you eaten? I can call the kitchen for a meal.”
All I can think about is that night. The two of them. Their hard bodies sandwiching mine. Their mouths on every inch of my body. Their cocks sliding into my mouth, my pussy, my ass… Desire flares back to life, a wild conflagration that refuses to be contained.
“I ate already.” I sound breathless. Eager. Ready.
“Another glass of wine?”
It’s such a tempting offer. I’m about to open my mouth to accept, knowing full well that I’m not just agreeing to a drink, but to a whole lot more…
Then common sense interjects.
While you’re in town, I’d love to catch up. Dominic is making clear what’s on offer, and it’s a temporary hookup.
Dominic and Carter were a one-night stand. I should have forgotten all about them by now. Instead, I haven’t been able to put them out of my mind. I’ve been dreaming about them. Seven months later, one heated look from them, and I’m ready to tear off my clothes and spread my legs.
These guys are dangerous to my peace of mind. I barely got away after one night. I can’t sleep with them again, because if I do, I don’t think I’ll be able to walk away without getting my heart broken.
For once in my life, I make the smarter decision. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” I set my wineglass down and get to my feet. “I’ll call Sammy. I’ll let you know if he can get me into the game.”
And then I flee, because my willpower will only go so far. If they ask me to stay once more, I won’t be able to resist.
