Chapter Three #3
Dante had set her up at one of the tables in the back.
It was a smaller group with only four players.
There weren’t any crowds watching like the others.
The only other person close to the table was Dante.
She wasn’t sure if he’d stayed the entire time she played.
She became so engrossed, she tuned out her surroundings.
But every time, she glanced around, Dante was stationed near the table watching.
And twice he approached. The last time, he slid another stack of chips in front of her.
She wasn’t sure of the equivalent from cash to chips but she had quite a few.
Maybe there were different chips for beginner tables with lower denominations.
“She’s a shill, isn’t she?” The man across from Cleo gestured in her direction.
A what?
Dante arched his brow and smirked, but his scowl deepened. “We don’t allow shills or plants at our tables. You’ve been coming here long enough to know that insult isn’t appreciated.”
The man laughed though it seemed forced. “Just a joke, man.” Clearly, he was trying to play it off, but Dante didn’t seem the least bit amused. What the heck is a shill?
“Cleo.” Dante curled his finger while glaring at the man. She slowly got up and started gathering her chips, but halted when his hand gently rested on her forearm. “I’ll have someone take care of those for you. Follow me.”
Cleo looked down at her chips. The last thing she wanted was someone to steal them.
“Cleo,” Dante called, and she rushed around the table to catch up to him.
“Um, Dante?”
He glanced over his shoulder. “Yes?”
“What’s a shill?”
His lips twitched. “It’s someone who plays for the house.”
His explanation was simple and should’ve made sense but it didn’t. Dante must’ve read her confusion.
“A shill or plant is seated at a table and uses the poker house’s money to play. They keep a portion of the winnings as payment and the house collects the rest.”
People got paid to play poker with someone else’s money? The whole concept was mind-boggling to her. More inconceivable was her being mistaken for one.
She hooked her thumb over her shoulder. “And he thought I was a shill?”
“You played well.”
Cleo shrugged. “Beginner’s luck.”
Dante cocked his brow. “Or? You have a natural gift for playing poker.”
Cleo chuckled. She didn’t have any gifts or talents.
Dante gestured toward the table she’d been playing at. “They’re not the best players but by far, not the worst. And you held your own, winning most of the hands. That’s impressive, Cleo.”
She stilled, staring up at him. She couldn’t recall ever doing anything that impressed anyone. An unfamiliar energy raced through her blood. Pride? Cleo flattened her lips trying to batten down her smile. She failed.
“Thank you.”
Dante gave a curt nod, and gestured her to follow him.
She expected to go back to the bar and scanned the area for Reyna but didn’t see her. The poker house had gotten much busier as the night progressed.
Dante led her to a door in the corner of the room.
He punched in a code on the keypad, opened it, and gestured for her to pass.
Cleo peeked inside and hesitated. It was fairly dark with soft lights lining the staircase leading to a second floor.
What the… Something didn’t feel right. Dante had been nothing but kind to her, but the reality was something she’d been warned about several times.
He was a stranger, and Cleo didn’t know him.
A slow panic rose, and she immediately backed up. .
“I should probably wait for my friend at the bar.”
“Reyna left.”
What?
“And your guests that were meeting you will no longer be able to make it.”
A coolness ran through her veins. How did he know? And why did Reyna just leave her? There were so many red flags in this situation. Her heartrate spiked and blood rushed through her veins.
“I should get going.”
“Cleo?” Dante gestured his hand to the open door.
She’d been in scary positions before, and she was getting an eerie vibe from Dante.
It wasn’t anything he specifically said, and up until this moment, she’d been fairly comfortable around him.
But safety 101 was telling her it wasn’t the safest choice to go into a locked, dark room with a stranger.
Unfortunately, Dante was in a position of power.
He could make her go upstairs. Even if she showed resistance, the poker house had topline security. She’d never get past them.
Cleo didn’t have much in her corner, but she had a Hail Mary.
“I’m with Killcreek.”
In all the years she’d been with the club, she’d never uttered those words. I never felt like I had to.
Dante slowly cocked his head with a small smile playing on his lips. “I’m well aware.”
Really?
“Okay,” she whispered. “So then…I’m just going to head home. To Killcreek.”
Dante pointed to the door. “I will make sure you get safely home to Killcreek. But right now, you need to come upstairs.”
This was quite the predicament. What were the chances he was a man of his word, and she’d get home in one piece and still breathing?
And was there any chance he’d keep her little adventure a secret from Killcreek?
Cleo was quickly realizing her initial question of the night had just been answered. This was a mistake.
“Cleo, I have known Ace, Cross, and Wraith for decades. I also knew your brother personally, and I’m well acquainted with Inez.
That should put your mind at ease. You’re not in any danger.
” Dante sighed. “But you don’t have a choice.
Now, if you don’t mind, we’re gaining a little too much attention for my liking.
” He widened the door and lifted his chin.
What other choice did she have? None!
Cleo walked into the vestibule and followed Dante up the stairs, holding tightly to the railing.
Her stomach twisted and her heartrate accelerated to the point of apprehension.
She wasn’t necessarily a prime candidate for a heart attack, but considering her current dilemma and the nature of the situation, it could happen.
Dante opened the door wide and ushered her inside.
Cleo glanced around, slowly entering. When she’d been here last time, she’d only had access to the downstairs main area.
The balcony was obviously meant for VIPs.
The room was half the size of the floor below and rectangular shaped.
The large mirror was actually, a two-way, giving a view of all the tables.
Cleo made a beeline for the glass wall, staring down at all the people.
This is so cool. She was so engrossed with looking down she hadn’t even bothered checking out any of the room.
Rookie mistake.
“This must be fun watching everyone,” Cleo said to Dante.
But he wasn’t the man who answered.
“It’s about to get a lot more fucking fun.”
Her back straightened, and a chill raced through her veins.
I know that voice. She’d only heard him speak a few times, but it was memorable.
She slowly turned and widened her eyes. As predicted, the two men across the room were familiar.
She’d heard a lot about them, seen them a handful of times and even spoken to them on a few occasions.
Cleo didn’t know a lot about them, but then again no one knew much about the Underground.
She lifted her hand, giving a small, shaky wave. “Hi.”
Trey arched his brow. “Hello, Cleo.”
Rogue didn’t say a word and continued to glare with a deep scowl.
She cleared her throat, glancing around. From what she could see, they were the only four in the room. She felt a little relief. For most people, it would’ve heightened their fear. Not Cleo. She needed confirmation. Cleo glanced over to Dante, who remained close to the exit.
“Is Ace or Wraith here?”
“No.”
She drew in a breath and sent a silent thank you to a higher power. There was still hope that she could make it home safely without any of the club, especially Wraith, finding out about her little adventure.
“You seem relieved,” Trey said.
And you seem observant, Trey. Dammit!
Cleo didn’t know the full extent of their relationship with the club.
She knew the basics. Rogue and Trey, along with Oz, ran the Underground.
Most people in the business worked under them.
Except Killcreek, who worked for Inez. Cleo may not know a lot, but she was well-versed in the hostile animosity Rogue had for Killcreek.
The club would be furious knowing he’d been here without them being present.
She could play it off. None of these men in the room knew her well. Surely, they wouldn’t read through her lies. Right?
“No.” She laughed, brushing her hand through her hair and hooking it over her ear. “J-just curious.”
“Hmmm…” Rogue lifted his cigar to his lips, taking a puff. “I’m fucking curious too. They know you’re here?”
What were the odds that they would actually check with Killcreek?
As far as she knew, Rogue hated the club.
She didn’t think Trey was much of a fan.
Besides, they had no ties to her. If they believed Cleo, this would end here with Killcreek none the wiser.
Cleo inhaled a breath and mustered up as much confidence as she could gather. Be convincing.
“I’m pretty sure I mentioned it to them.”
Trey dragged his hand over his jaw and subtly shook his head while Dante rolled his eyes and folded his arms. Rogue had an entirely different response.
He eyed her while taking a drag from his cigar. The smoke billowed around his face, and the corner of his eyes crinkled with a slow smile emerging. “I’m pretty fucking sure you didn’t.”
Yep, this night was definitely a mistake.
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