Our glasses clink together, and as I sip the expensive champagne, I catch my reflection one more time in the mirrored wall. The woman staring back at me is fierce, confident, and completely unashamed.
She's everything my father tried to destroy.
And she's never been more alive.
40
RYDER
The email hits like a sucker punch to the gut.
“License revocation effective immediately... regulatory concerns... failure to comply with updated standards...”
“Bullshit,” I mutter, scrolling through the official notice from the Gaming Commission. Every line reeks of Pike’s influence—standards that didn’t exist last week, violations that never happened, and a review board stacked with his political donors.
I toss my phone onto Dom’s kitchen counter and pace, running calculations in my head. The private games I host for Blackwood bring in serious cash. Without a license, I’m screwed.
Unless...
Manny Devlin has been trying to get me to run games at his underground club for years. It’s not exactly legal, but with proper security and the right clientele, the risk is minimal. One call and I could be back in business by tomorrow night.
My fingers hover over his contact. Just as I’m about to press dial, Dom walks in, Liam and Cora trailing behind him.
“You got it too,” Dom says, not a question. His expression is grim.
“What?” I look between them, confused.
Liam holds up his phone. “Pike’s people reached out to every client I have with gambling interests. He’s warning them about associating with me or anyone connected to you.”
“That fucking—” I start, but Cora’s worried expression stops me as she peers down at my phone.
“Why are you looking at Manny’s number?” she asks.
I feel my face flush. “It’s nothing.”
“We know you, Ryder. And we know what Pike taking your license means,” Dom states.
“It’s my livelihood,” I argue. “What am I supposed to do? Just roll over while he destroys everything I’ve built?”
Liam steps forward. “We’re not asking you to roll over. We’re asking you not to give him exactly what he wants.”
“Which is?”
“Evidence,” Cora says, taking my hand. “He’s baiting you, Ryder. The moment you start running illegal games, he’ll have cause to bring charges against you.”
Dom’s hand settles on my shoulder. “We’ll fight this the right way. I’ve already called my attorney.”
The tension in my shoulders doesn’t fully release, but something inside me unclenches at their united front. They’re not here to judge—they’re here to protect me from myself.
“I was just looking,” I admit. “Hadn’t decided yet.”
Dom’s grip tightens slightly. “That’s why we’re here. So, you don’t have to decide alone.”
“Fuck,” I breathe, running my hands through my hair. “This is what I do, you know? When things get hard, I double down. Higher stakes, bigger risks. It’s like something in my brain won’t let me walk away.”
The kitchen falls silent. Cora squeezes my hand.
“It’s an addiction,” I finally admit. “Not just gambling. Risk itself. The rush when everything’s on the line...”
