Chapter 10
TEN
Cara
Staring at the note that Grant left me once again, I’m getting nervous for our night in together. He’s going to be teaching me some of his card tricks. Neither of us thinks that Cordelia will expect me to be as proficient as he is, but I need to have some understanding of gambling.
Even though Grant and I are newlyweds, we would have been dating for some time ahead of getting married. It would make sense that I would understand the games that afford us this lifestyle.
Growing up in Massachusetts, I had a core group of friends that I spent all my time with: Lachlan, Grayson, and Liam. They used to play cards together periodically, but I never found it interesting.
Since I was always by their sides, I would be pulled into a few rounds to make the stakes more interesting or listen to their conversations about it. Right now, I’m happy I didn’t just ignore them like I did with other topics I found dull.
When Grant asked if I had a basic understanding of how to play a few games, I was able to be honest with him when I said yes. I probably would have lied to anyone else if I didn’t, but I’d rather not lie to Grant.
An air of mystery surrounds the man, and there is so much about his past that I have yet to learn. Especially when it comes to his time with Brad.
My gut is telling me that there’s more to the story and that Grant is hiding some of his past from me. But for now, I’m going to keep trusting him at face value.
Truthfully, I have no other choice but to trust the man who holds the cards to bring down the Kingpin.
I shake my head in disbelief.
Cordelia is the Kingpin. I need to wrap my head around the fact that this figure I’ve been chasing for years is masquerading as this pleasant suburban woman. I know the Kingpin as a ruthless killer and operator of illegal trading and not this.
It takes everything in me to not arrest her immediately for her crimes, but the Kingpin is no longer my primary target—the Marlin is.
Pulling out a sleek black dress, I slip it on over my head and examine myself in the mirror. It’s short with a slightly plunging neckline and will be the perfect look for tonight.
Maybe that’s overtly confident of me to wear tonight, but I want to impress Grant. We’ve been here now for a week, and he hasn’t so much as looked at me the way he had before the barbecue at Cordelia’s house.
The feeling of being roommates and partners only has been wearing on me. I’m well aware that’s all we are, but I just want to feel that spark one more time.
There’s so much unanswered by him, and I still don’t know why, after years of torment, I want him to notice me.
The short truth is that I want his attention.
I want Grant to see me fully.
I want to be wanted by the man shrouded in mystery.
I’m beginning to crave Grant Sinclair.
Is that such a bad desire to have? I certainly hope not; otherwise, the next few weeks are going to continue to go by at a snail’s pace. What we thought was going to take months could really only be a few weeks.
Cordelia’s invitation to the tournament was unexpected, but Grant’s past as Ace was too tempting for her to pass up.
Walking down the stairs, I try to exude confidence in case Grant is already back from the store. He didn’t share why he was going, but I imagine it has something to do with this evening.
I descend the staircase and head toward the living room to look for Grant.
That’s when I pause midstep.
A soft glow is coming from the room. Slowly, I keep going forward, wondering what’s happening in there.
When I finally see what it is, I can’t believe my eyes. My heart feels like it’s going to jump out of my chest.
Grant is tending to the fireplace, wearing a pair of dark-washed jeans and a white collared shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Even with his back to me, he’s every bit as delicious-looking as he normally is.
That’s when I notice the dozens of candles spread throughout the room. There’s a charcuterie board on the coffee table and two glasses of red wine sitting next to it. Centered is a deck of cards and a poker case.
“No poker table? I’m shocked,” I say.
Grant’s back vibrates slightly, and I call that a victory. I got the man to laugh again, a small win that I’m collecting.
“I did think about it, but I figured it might be too much.”
He faces me with a wide smile that makes me want to drop this facade altogether and tell him we should stop pretending while we’re living together like this.
I glance around the room once more.
“What a setup. Have a date after you teach me poker?”
Grant’s smile is devilish as he tilts his head to the side and places his hands in his pockets.
“All for you.”
“What a waste,” I say.
His smile drops, and I realize if I want to show him what I want, then I need to stop the comebacks.
“Sorry. Old habits die hard,” I add.
That smile reappears, and he nods in acceptance.
“Glass of wine?”
“Is it poisoned?” I tease.
“No, love. I’d like to keep you around.”
Love . Not darling like he usually calls me.
I shouldn’t let that word have any more meaning than how he probably meant it. Just another term of endearment he would use with anyone he’s partnered with.
Heading around the couch, I settle down on the open space in front of the coffee table. Grant notices and sits down too.
He hands me the glass of wine, and I watch as he drinks in my outfit. I love being under his gaze. The dress was the right call.
“I like the dress of choice.”
“I knew you would.”
I take a sip of the wine as Grant picks up his glass.
“No toast? Bad form, Collins.”
“I certainly do apologize, Sinclair.”
Grant takes a sip of his wine.
“You can make it up to me.”
“How would I ever do that?”
“I’m sure we can think of something.”
“Whatever you say.”
Grant hums thoughtfully.
“You said you’ve played poker before, correct?”
“Yes.”
“How much?”
“Honestly?” I ask as I swirl my wine around in its glass.
“I’d appreciate it, given the stakes.”
“Back home in Massachusetts. My friends would play, and I’d be forced into it.”
“Friends?”
“I’m sure you’ve heard my dad talk about them. Lachlan, Grayson, and Liam. From Hull.”
“That’s right. You four are still close, correct?”
“Yes, well, it’s complicated. I am friends with all of them.”
Grant doesn’t press any further, which I appreciate. A long time ago, we all had a falling out over a misunderstanding. Grayson and I talk to everyone, but Lachlan and Liam still aren’t speaking to one another.
It’s something that Grayson and I plan to team up and resolve after I’m done with this mission.
“It explains a lot.”
“What does?”
“Your loyalty.”
I shrug, trying to stay indifferent even though Grant is getting to know me on a more personal level.
“How so?”
“Come on, Cara. There’s no need to hide. Not with me.”
“Isn’t that basically what we are doing together? Hiding?”
“We aren’t hiding. We’re the good guys.”
I let out a light laugh, and it makes Grant move closer in my direction.
“We are.”
Grant’s stare is intense on me.
“You’re talented. Loyal. Confident. Have one hell of a shot and the looks to bring any of these fuckers to their knees.”
I feign confusion.
“Which shot are you referring to?”
Grant smirks.
“Fine, all your shots are good.”
“That’s better.”
“And funny.”
“Wow, maybe I’ll have to make you my real husband.”
Grant’s jaw ticks as he looks away.
“Kidding. Don’t worry, I’m a professional,” I tease.
Grant’s eyes find mine, and there’s a hint of something in them that I can’t quite make out. I’m meant to be reading people and situations at an expert level, but I suppose Grant is used to masking the real him.
“Hey, Grant?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you. All of that was really nice to hear.”
“It’s true.”
“You know, you aren’t so bad yourself.”
He laughs.
“I don’t know about that.”
“Fishing for a compliment?”
“No, I’ve just lived a lot of life. Not sure how I ended up here, but I’m glad I get to pretend to have a life like this with you.”
My heart flutters.
“Where you get involved with the mafia?” I joke.
“Exactly.”
We’re both smiling from ear to ear now, and suddenly, I realize that maybe Grant likes spending time with me too.
“Ready to learn how to play poker first?”
“Ready,” I say with a salute.
“Okay, let’s get started.”
Grant picks up the cards and shuffles them before passing them out. He gives me a quick reminder of the rules, and before long, we’re in our first game.
“I want to start with the basics tonight. Tomorrow, we can go over some of my tricks.”
“I thought we were doing that tonight?”
Grant looks up from his cards and grins.
“I think I want another night alone with my wife.”
I find myself once again standing in front of my full-length mirror, about to go downstairs to spend another intimate evening with Grant. One where I’ll get to know more about his background through little tidbits he’ll share.
I know tonight is also where my feelings will get even more complicated for the man after our previous night together.
I had gone into last night wanting to show myself off to him a bit, and boy, did that backfire. Not only did I show myself off, but Grant apparently liked it but respected our boundaries.
It was infuriating.
Respect.
Maybe I just wanted to be manhandled? But Mr. Charming wasn’t going to do that. Not with me.
So tonight, I plan to take things one step further. After he teaches me a few secrets of his trade, I’m going to talk to him about us practicing being more intimate for our appearance tomorrow night at the casino.
Usually, I’m very confident, but with our walls crumbling, I wonder if I’ll be able to muster up the courage. Somehow, Grant sees past every facade I put up, and we’re just getting to know each other.
It should make me feel uneasy, but it doesn’t.
I just need to know if our feelings align. I know with one touch, I’ll be able to tell if the man is truly interested in me or if I’m just some type of potential convenience.