Chapter 10 #2
“What do I have to be frightened of?” Beck held out his cards to me. “We’re playing joker.”
He had a pair of twos, a king, and a joker. I nuzzled Beck’s neck as my bangle heated against my skin. Tonight was about flaunting The Unseen’s power and solidifying alliances. Secrets embedded between words. Luckily, I’d trained for this.
“I don’t know how to play.”
The man with sandy-colored hair discarded a pair with a satisfied smile. “Three rounds. The person with the most pairs gets a point. If your opponent has a joker, they automatically lose. You can ask if someone has one at any time.”
The man took another card from the pack, turning to the flame-masked man.
“For example, I know you have a joker.”
He tossed down his cards with a click of his tongue. “My wife, Cami, always says I have a terrible poker face.”
He stood and dusted off his dark slacks before melting into the crowd. My pulse fluttered as I leaned into Beck. This was a child’s game of bluff, but what were the real-world ramifications?
“Why don’t we up the ante for this round? I heard you have a compound that gets snow this time of year. Give me the keys for a week so I can take my lovely lady away for a vacation.”
Ah, so this was Larson King. Beck earmarked Larson among the potential corrupt members, citing his newly acquired mansion in the mountains as proof.
“Oh, does it have a hot tub? I love a skinny dip.” I whispered in Beck’s ear, “what are you doing?”
Beck pinched my ass and let out an indulgent chuckle.
“What do you say? Do we have a deal?”
Larson lifted his shoulder, cutting a glance at Beck’s hand resting on my ass.
“Sure. But if I win, I’ll take your lady myself.”
To his credit, Beck didn’t react, and neither did I. His response was why I wore this dress. Men got stupid when you showed some skin. This reminded me of the mission at the Den, when Beck couldn’t contain his jealousy and ruined my mission. I’d show him how to be professional.
“I only drink top shelf, so make sure the place is fully stocked,” I flirted.
“You got it, doll.” Larson laughed, as if my response surprised him.
I guess it was surprising that I had an opinion and dared to voice it.
Behind him, a glint of silver caught my eye. Ray and Jonah pressed themselves against the wall behind Larson. Their arms were glued against each other. The sight of them brought some comfort. I squashed that pesky thought.
Beck shuffled through the cards, discarding pairs with feigned ease. He rolled his neck to the side and sighed.
“Let me just.” He passed me the cards, flipped me so my back pressed against his chest, and my legs splayed open. The slinky slit of the dress gave Larson a perfect view of my pussy.
He flicked up a look, lip quirked. “You’ll have to do better than that.”
Beck picked up another card from the deck. “What?” His free hand slid between my legs and dragged up to the apex. Asshole.
“Trying to distract me.”
I let out a hiss of protest before I remembered myself. Beck wanted to touch me in front of his colleagues? Fine. I’d do whatever it took to let Beck get under this guy’s skin.
“You know why I like this game, Larson?” Beck said.
The man’s head whipped up, and his lips flattened. Beck’s fingers drifted higher, and I clamped my thighs closed, trapping his fingers against my clit. He rolled tiny circles against my sensitive bud until bursts of warmth shivered down my spine. Double asshole.
“You know the rules, Beck.”
“I do.” Beck chuckled. “I like this game because it shows me who the cowards are.”
“Excuse me?” Larson arched an eyebrow.
A jovial shout echoed from the other room. Ray and Jonah tensed against the wall. I forced my lower belly to expand with a deep breath.
“I thought the man in charge of Ashden Academy would have more guts. Aren’t you supposed to be training our future elite?”
I fought to keep the surprise off my face.
Beck didn’t mention that Larson worked at the elite school for criminal families.
Connall had trained there before being recruited by The Unseen.
It was a murky middle ground for The Unseen and the criminal families that sent their children there.
I wondered what they would think knowing The Unseen even controlled the school their children went to.
“You presume too much.” Larson set his cards on the table.
He was trying in vain to control a tremble. Beck shrugged, rolling his fingers over my clit until I had to clamp my tongue between my teeth.
“I wonder why you didn’t ask me if I had the joker. You could have won easily, but you chose low stakes. It’s interesting.”
Larson curled his lip and stood.
“Listen and learn. There is a power in holding back, and once you’ve survived a little longer, you will understand brash strategies rarely win.”
Larson reached inside his jacket, and I wondered if he had sneaked a weapon inside. I arched my back, clamped my hand on Beck’s, and let out a throaty moan.
“Oh god, right there.” I writhed against Beck until he grunted.
Larson froze, shook his head, and strode away. Whatever he was going to do was forgotten. I let out another cry, drawing the attention of half the party as I faked an orgasm. I stiffened, ground my head into Beck’s shoulder, and gave a convincing performance, I thought.
“Was that good for you, baby?” I simpered against Beck’s ear before I slid off his lap.
He snatched my hand and dragged me out of the party. Ray and Jonah followed, like silent sentinels.
“Were you trying to get him to attack you?” Jonah muttered.
“Whatever info we get tonight, my money is on Larson having his fingerprints all over it,” I said.
“I want him off-kilter to force a reaction.” Beck kissed my palm. “I can get you off for real. Say the word.”
My clit tingled from Beck’s touch, and part of me longed to say yes. A desperate, horny part that he would never get full access to again.
“Get on your knees and ask me again.”
I choked as Beck lowered himself onto the damp pavement. I didn’t think he would actually do it.
“Please, Little Liar.” He put his hands in his lap. “Let me take care of you.”
I shook my head as I took the moss-covered steps.
“I have vibrators with more loyalty than you.”
Ray stumbled. “More than one?”
I sniffed, looking up at the glittering stars in the sky. My wrist was slick with sweat from the heat the tiny computer put out. Whatever Beck wanted from Larson, he got it, and I hoped my net grabbed us a big enough clue to take it further.
“A girl needs variety, especially when real dicks cause too much trouble.”