Chapter 28
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Two weeks later…
The grand ballroom was a spectacle of dazzling lights and opulence.
Velvet-draped tables and glittering chandeliers set the stage for an evening of elegance and excitement.
As Razor escorted Lottie into the ballroom, the crowd seemed to part for them, their commanding presence impossible to ignore.
Behind them, the Montreal Chapter of the Royal Bastards followed, their leather cuts adding a sharp edge to the glitz of the event.
Razor’s hand rested lightly on Lottie’s lower back, his touch both protective and possessive. He leaned in close as they passed the roulette table, his voice low and teasing. “You look like you belong in the spotlight tonight, Lottie.”
Lottie shot him a sidelong glance, a smile tugging at her lips. “That’s where I always belong, Razor. Try to keep up.”
Diamond, the president of the Royal Harlots, greeted the group at the entrance, her sharp smile cutting through the hum of the crowd. After welcoming Teller and his men with a blend of authority and warmth, she directed them towards the games.
The evening unfolded with the pair moving through the room like a force of nature. At the blackjack table, Lottie’s sharp wit and bold choices drew attention. Razor, standing at her side, watched her play with an amused grin, occasionally chiming in with playful advice.
“Hit or stay?” Lottie asked, her eyes narrowing on the cards in front of her.
Razor leaned closer, his breath warm against her ear. “Trust your gut. It’s never let you down before.”
She smirked, sliding another chip forward. “Then I’ll hit.”
When the dealer revealed her winning hand, Razor chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re dangerous, Lottie.”
“And you’re just figuring that out now?” she teased, taking her winnings with a triumphant smile.
Later, at the craps table, Razor took his turn with the dice. He rolled with effortless confidence, glancing at Lottie after each throw. When he handed her the dice for the next roll, their fingers brushed, the spark between them unmistakable.
“Think you can handle the pressure?” he asked, his tone light but his gaze intense.
Lottie met his eyes, a challenge in her expression. “Watch and learn.”
She rolled, and when the dice landed in their favor, the cheers from the table were deafening. Razor grinned, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her closer. “Told you, you’re my lucky charm.”
As the night wore on, they stole a quiet moment away from the crowd, finding a secluded corner on the balcony. Razor handed her a glass of champagne, his usual swagger tempered by something softer.
“Having fun yet?” he asked, leaning against the railing, his dark eyes fixed on her.
Lottie took a sip of the champagne, her gaze steady. “I always have fun with you, Razor. You make sure of that.”
He smirked, his expression turning serious for a beat. “You keep me on my toes, you know that? Every move you make, I’m just trying to keep up.”
Lottie laughed softly, setting her glass down. “Good. I’d hate for you to get too comfortable.”
Their shared moment was interrupted by the distant roar of applause as another winner was announced, but neither seemed in a hurry to return.
In the glow of The Royal Harlots’ Casino Night, surrounded by glitter and chaos, Lottie and Razor found a rhythm that was all their own…
sharp, electric, and utterly unforgettable.
As Razor escorted Lottie through the crowd, he noticed Diamond having a heated discussion with an unknown male off in a small alcove.
Her body language was tense, her arms crossed tightly, and her gaze sharp.
Razor’s instincts flared, but he kept his pace steady, not wanting to draw attention to what he’d seen.
Glancing around, Razor caught the eye of Sayer, one of his brothers, standing casually near the bar. With a quick nod and a subtle gesture, he signaled for Sayer to keep an eye on the Harlots’ president. Sayer’s expression didn’t shift, but the slight tilt of his head was acknowledgment enough.
Lottie, attuned to Razor’s every movement, noticed his brief distraction. “What’s up?” she asked, her voice low enough not to carry beyond him.
“Nothing that needs our attention right now,” Razor replied, his tone calm but firm. His hand rested lightly on her back, guiding her forward. “Just making sure everyone’s behaving tonight.”
Her gaze followed his for a moment, landing briefly on the alcove before she smirked. “Doesn’t look like everyone’s getting along. Want me to…?” She let the suggestion hang in the air, her mischievous grin teasing.
Razor chuckled softly. “Not tonight, darlin’. Let’s keep this about fun, yeah?”
“For now,” she quipped, letting him guide her toward the craps table.
Lottie and Razor became the center of attention at every table they graced. At the roulette wheel, Razor leaned close to Lottie, his voice low as he whispered, “Red or black?”
She smirked, glancing at him from beneath her lashes. “Red. Always red.”
When the wheel landed on red, the burst of applause and laughter was matched only by Razor’s mock bow. “Looks like I’ve got my lucky charm tonight.”
“Don’t get cocky,” Lottie teased, though her smile betrayed her amusement. “Luck changes fast.”
As the night wore on, the pair moved seamlessly through the room, their chemistry unmistakable. At the craps table, Razor tossed the dice with practiced ease, his hand brushing Lottie’s as she passed him the next roll.
“You trust me with this one?” she asked, her tone playful but her eyes serious.
“Always,” Razor replied without hesitation, the weight of his words settling between them.
When the dice landed in their favor, the crowd erupted in cheers, but Razor and Lottie shared a quiet, triumphant smile—one that spoke of more than just a lucky roll.
Away from the tables, they stole a moment on the edge of the ballroom, the noise of the crowd fading into the background. Razor handed Lottie another glass of champagne, his expression softer than usual.
“You look good leaning over that table,” he said, his voice low.
Lottie raised her glass, her lips curving into a smile. “I’m glad you liked the view,” she said, her voice teasing.
Razor’s gaze lingered on her, his usual swagger giving way to something deeper. “Well, I plan on making sure this is a night you’ll never forget.”
The evening pressed on, full of laughter, high stakes, and shared moments that seemed to suspend time. In the grand spectacle of The Royal Harlots’ Casino Night, Razor and Lottie stood as a magnetic duo, unshakable, unpredictable, and undeniably captivating.