Chapter 33 #2
With a quick scan of the room, I found him with ease. Like me, he was watching Régis as he made his way farther into the club. I wanted to go to him, but I held back by sheer will alone. The look that came across Onyx’s face was one mixed with bloodthirst and pure hatred.
He needs this.
“Lucero, ready?” Nash said, appearing next to me again.
It wasn’t about me. Tonight was for my bella and Adam. Tonight they’d be putting to rest a monster that haunted them both. Adam wasn’t around, but hopefully, he’d get some peace from knowing his abuser would never come for him or any children ever again.
“Yeah.”
"Showtime," Nash said. He put the tablet away and headed toward Damian.
I relaxed the best I could but all I wanted to do was grab Régis and break his neck. I followed behind him and flanked Damian like usual. All I had to do was stay silent.
We didn’t have to go toward Régis; he made his way over to Damian.
“Thank you for the invite. I’ve heard about your illusive casino nights.”
Damian, to his credit, was able to speak normally. There wasn’t any indication that he wanted the bastard dead. “Figured it was about time. We had a few spots open up.”
Régis grinned harder. “Yes, a few of my colleagues are more than excited to try their hand at the fun here. We can, of course, win and bet more than money.”
The way he said it made it sound like we were selling women and children.
Bile burned the back of my throat as I fought to keep my face neutral.
People didn’t bother me, I heard some vile shit in my day, but when it came from his mouth it only further fueled my anger.
This was personal, and I wanted him dead more than anything.
“As long as it has value,” Damian supplied.
Régis clapped his hands together. “And what will it take to have you play as well?” He eyed Damian like he was something to squash.
“I don’t play in-house.”
“Oh, come on, I know there has to be special occasions. What better way to cement our friendship than a friendly game of Texas Hold’em?
” His words were sweet like honey as he tried to cozy up to my brother.
“Or are you more of a Blackjack man?” Régis seemed to be in a good mood.
It was probably due to the fact he'd been trying to get another meeting with Damian to no avail. Tonight probably felt like his chance.
Damian’s left shoulder rolled back. It was the one tick he’d never been able to get rid of. Even when we were kids, when he was really annoyed and tried not to show it, that one shoulder would roll back. I’d warn Régis to back off but I kind of wanted to see what Damian would do to him.
Régis' gaze jumped over to me. He didn’t deserve to have the same eyes as my bella.
I should scoop them out with a rusty spoon.
"No husband?" Régis asked.
Every fiber of my being froze over, and I wanted to kill him right then and there. How dare he ask about Onyx with that filthy mouth of his. My husband shouldn’t even cross his mind.
He's dead. I'll rip his fucking guts out and strangle him.
Nash elbowed my side, sending shock waves of pain up my ribcage. It didn’t do anything to squash the rage building inside of me. "No spouses allowed," he answered for me. His demeanor, unlike mine, was calm and collected. “We like to keep it a calm setting, if you know what I mean.”
Régis chuckled like he was in on some joke. “Don’t I. Spouses can be dramatic and in the way.” His gaze skipped over to me again and that same smirk was on his face. “Not to mention liars and manipulators. Just be glad you won’t get him pregnant. Children are always a disappointment.”
One punch. Fuck it, let me at least rip his fucking tongue out of his mouth.
I took a single step toward him and the two guards at his side took notice. Nash got in the way and elbowed me twice more. The pain was becoming a constant that kind of grounded me.
"Didn't know you knew my husband," I finally forced out.
Régis, the lying cunt, shook his head. "Not personally, just heard rumors you got married. What could I say, I was looking forward to meeting him." We made it to the table and he took his seat.
If it were up to me, I'd make sure he never saw you again right now.
Nash's elbow to the rib was going to leave bruises by the end of the night.
"I only play high stakes," Damian said. His smile was subtle. My brother was a businessman at the end of the day. How he could grin at a worthless piece of shit was beyond my capabilities. It took everything in me not to growl at the man like some rabid dog.
"Wouldn’t want it any other way," Régis said. He snapped his fingers and one of the guards placed a bag on the table.
I hadn’t even noticed him carrying it before. My focus had been solely on Régis. It was a mistake on my part, and I forced myself to calm down. If we were going to pull this off, we all had to do our job.
Nash was the one who took it, opening the bag before calling over one of our men. He passed it over, whispering into his ear.
“You know, getting a hold of you is like calling the president,” Régis said, offhandedly.
Damian hummed in response, snapping his fingers, and one of the girls appeared at the table. She had fire-engine-red hair and rainbow freckles painted over her nose. She smiled down at my brother but made sure to show off her best assets to Régis, the customer.
“What can I get you two gentlemen?” Her Bronx accent was thick and only added to her appeal.
They both put in their order as I scanned the club, looking for only one person. I spotted Onyx at the bar with his back to us.
I wanted to go to him and check on him, but I stayed still. I wasn’t going to ruin this for him when I knew he’d been waiting years to kill Régis. A dealer came over to the table and broke open a fresh pack of cards.
As they started the game, a different girl from the one that took their orders came with the drinks in hand. This one was blonde. I’d seen her plenty of times at the club; she was one of our best dancers.
Régis eyed the drink that was set in front of him suspiciously. Without skipping a beat, Damian grabbed it and drank the entire thing. “Bring two more.”
“Yes, sir,” she said.
“Sorry, can never be too careful,” Régis said.
Damian waved his thanks to the side. “If my establishments can’t be trusted then I wouldn’t be in business.”
Another girl came over and my back went stiff. It was Onyx. He didn’t say anything as he carried over the rows of chips for Régis and Damian. He was way too close to that bastard for my liking.
My hands itched to snatch him away.
Pain flared across my ribs as Nash elbowed me. “Fix your face.”
I looked at the bodyguards instead and that was no better. They eyed Onyx’s ass and that only made me angrier.
This night was testing all my patience.
Luckily, just as quickly as Onyx had come, he disappeared.
“You have some nice talent here. Are certain ones available for personal time?” Régis asked.
Nash elbowed again before I could react.
“We don’t discourage them from making money,” Damian said. “I thought you wanted to play, or are you more interested in the entertainment?”
Régis chuckled. “No, no, let’s play. I can have my fun later once I take you for all that you have.”
Time ticked by at a snail's pace, every minute that went by was hell.
Régis made jokes with Damian like they were old friends, and it only made me want to kill him even more.
His pile of chips grew higher and the drinks kept coming.
At some point, he stopped being wary of them, throwing them back just as fast as Damian.
It was like he was in some weird competition with my brother.
Elia made his way over to our table and moved next to the bodyguards, striking up conversation. His black dress was fitted to his lean form, drawing the man’s attention. The other guard, on the other hand, kept his eyes peeled for any threat.
They went another round with Régis coming out on top as the winner. I looked down at Damian’s hand. He had three aces and two kings. Still, he folded when Régis went all in.
“At my age, you learn a thing or two,” Régis said.
Yeah, how to be a bigger piece of shit.
I caught sight of Onyx before he even headed our way. His hips swayed in that hypnotic way that made my mouth water. He had two drinks on his tray. He set one in front of both of them before turning to walk away.
How he got so close and didn’t just start stabbing Regis was beyond me. He had more restraint than most people, me included. Onyx took two steps away before Régis turned in his seat and grabbed his wrist.
Air ceased to exist, and I moved to kill him right then and there for touching what was mine. Nash was to my left and Prince was quick to make it to my other side. He pretended to be giving me information.
“Calm down. We won’t let anything happen to him,” Prince reminded me.
Fuck that, he’s touching my husband.
My blood was boiling under the surface, threatening to consume me. Prince nodded like I’d said something, but in truth, words weren’t something I was capable of at the moment. I just wanted to kill him.
"Wait, why don't you sit here and be my lady luck," Régis said.
"Get back to work," Damian said without looking up from his cards. Onyx didn’t even have time to respond. "Régis, no amount of luck will help you with this next hand."
Régis laughed a full body chuckle as he released Onyx.
“See, calm down,” Prince muttered. He stayed, holding me back, and it was good he did. I wasn’t sure I was capable of restraining myself just yet. My insides twisted, and I wanted to say “fuck the plan.”
My husband was halfway across the room before he feverishly started to rub at his arm.
I wanted so desperately to go to him and check on him.
My stomach knotted with unease. Prince eased back and clapped me on the shoulder before walking away.
Nash, on the other hand, stayed close. His gaze skipped to me a few times as if to check on me.
How much longer?