Chapter 30 Ace
Ace
Staring in the mirror at Dottie’s Diner, I take a deep breath then lacquer my upper lashes with a bit more mascara.
After an hour of debate, I finally decided on a simple black cocktail dress with my warm brown hair curled in loose waves and left hanging around my shoulders.
I look like…me. It’s a stark contrast to the personas I normally wear, and I still can’t decide if it’s a good choice or not.
Regardless, I need to get moving, or I’ll miss the tournament, and my wardrobe won’t matter anyway.
After I put the mascara wand in the hot pink tube and twist the cap for good measure, I toss it in the bottomless pit I call a backpack when the worn deck of cards catches my eye.
Before I can stop myself, I reach inside and grab the familiar cards.
It’s one of the only objects I still have from my childhood, and the sight makes me miss my mom more than usual.
I run my thumb along the edge then lift the pack up to my nose and breathe deep.
There’s still a hint of smoke that clings to them, reminding me of my childhood trailer and the memories that accompany it.
With shaky hands, I drop the deck back into my bag then swing the strap over my shoulder and head out into the seating area.
I don’t have time for a walk down memory lane, especially right now when I’m about to confront the monster who stars in most of my nightmares.
“See ya, Dottie!” I call out, waving my hand in the air as I notice the majority of tables are occupied which is an unusual sight, but I guess it makes sense when I’m usually only here after hours.
“You comin’ back tonight?”
“Yeah! I got a date with Gigi!” I wink.
She grins before tucking the pen in her curly, dyed hair and yelling, “Alright, then. See ya, doll! Good luck tonight!”
With a shaky breath, I nod then turn on my heel and make my way to Sin.
The place is packed. That’s the first thing I notice as I enter the casino through a cloud of cigarette smoke. Holding my breath, I walk through the haze to the registration table where the same stuck-up concierge hands me my info.
“Head to the main poker table, give them this voucher, then they’ll cash you in.
” He points to his right but doesn’t bother giving me any other directions, barely deeming me worthy of a response in the first place.
In any other circumstance, I’d probably give him some salty remark, but I’m too distracted by the flashing lights and heady anxiety pulsing through me.
I’m here. This is the moment. What if I lose?
What if he recognizes me? What if I break down crying and curl into a ball on the center of the casino floor?
With how nauseated I’m feeling, I’m going to say it’s a definite possibility.
I’ve done everything in my power to prepare for this moment, but am I ready?
I don’t think I’ve ever been so nervous in my entire life.
Maybe I should visit the bathroom first and go puke.
I mean, better there than all over the poker table, right?
And what if I have to sit by him. God, I don’t think I could handle—
“Ma’am? I haven’t got all day. Take this and go.” The concierge waves the voucher in the air, and I grab it with sweaty palms then move to search for my seat when Jack stops me with his hand on my arm.
“Hey.”
Gaze narrowed, I bite out, “Jack? What are you doing here?”
“What? I can’t show my support?”
My nostrils flare as I shake out of his grasp. “I can’t do this with you right now. I need to focus.”
“Look, you can focus in a minute. Right now, I need to talk to you about your boyfriend.”
“He’s not my boyfriend,” I object.
“Fine. Call it whatever you want, but messing with Kingston Romano in any form is still a bad idea—”
“Will you shut up?” I hiss, looking around the casino. My pulse spikes when I see multiple sets of eyes watching our argument, including a particularly interested guy that I’m afraid to place, but the tiny diamond tattoo under his left eye is enough to make me shiver. Shit.
“Don’t talk private shit in public, Jack. It’s common sense.”
He pushes me to a darkened corner a few feet away. “Is this better?”
“Not really,” I counter, folding my arms across my chest.
I don’t have time for this.
“Well, then maybe you’ll take me up on it the next time I offer to go somewhere private instead of letting one of Kingston’s big goons come to the rescue.” Jack leans forward, getting in my face as his arms vibrate with frustration.
People are still looking in our direction, making my skin tingle with awareness, but I don’t know how to get out of this.
“Look,” I spit out quietly. “I didn’t know Diece would be stepping in like that. But you should be glad it was him and not Kingston. You might think I’m the one who doesn’t know who she’s dealing with, but I think it’s you, Jack. You need to back off, or you’re going to get hurt.”
With a scoff, Jack scrubs his hands over his face. “You’re probably right about that, Ace. I’m risking my neck for you, and you aren’t even grateful. From the shit I’ve heard about Kingston,”—he shakes his head—“you’re gonna end up in a body bag.”
I take a second to consider the likelihood of his comment coming to fruition.
Is it possible? Would Kingston hurt me? Looking back on every individual interaction we’ve had, I almost want to laugh at the possibility.
No. I don’t see that happening. He might put on a facade with everyone else, but I know him.
The real him. The one who wouldn’t hurt a fly if it wasn’t warranted.
Sure, he can be scary, and I have no doubt he could hurt someone if the situation arose, but I don’t think I have anything to be afraid of. I’m sure of it.
“Kingston wouldn’t hurt me,” I state as Jack studies me carefully.
“Well, if it isn’t him, then it’ll be one of his enemies, Ace. The guy has a rap sheet a mile long, and don’t even get me started on the people he’s connected to. You have no idea what you stepped in.”
I’m so sick of this. Standing on my toes for an extra inch of height, I get in his face that’s red with anger. “And you do?”
“Yeah, Ace. I—”
“The Sin Poker Tournament is about to begin. Remember, there is no flash photography, and all cellular devices must be turned off. Thank you.” The announcement echoes through the open floor plan of the casino, interrupting whatever Jack was going to say.
But it doesn’t matter anyway.
“Look, Jack. I gotta go. Thanks for your concern, but I trust Kingston.”
Stepping toward the crowd near the poker table, Jack’s voice calls out, “Yeah, but are you sure you’re trusting the right guy?”
I hesitate for the briefest of seconds before shaking off his comment and focusing on the tournament that I’ve been preparing for since I was a little girl. I can’t worry about my future right now because I’m too busy avenging my past.
Jack and Kingston can wait.