Moreno’s eyes narrowed smugly. “I’m sure it will come back to you. We’ll even let you deal first.”
Chris shuffled the cards, passing them out as Moreno introduced him to the others at the table. Barone he had known about, mostly from Meg and her intense dislike of the man. The others, he had some familiarity with who they were, but not necessarily how they fell into Moreno’s organization if at all.
“What are we playing?” Chris asked as he shuffled the deck, watching Meg leave the room. “What’s the ante?”
Moreno glanced at the others. “In deference to our new guest, why don’t we start with twenty?”
Chris pulled his wallet out of his pocket and slapped a twenty on the table. As the other players did the same he shuffled one more time. “Game?”
“Five-card draw.”
Chris dealt the cards then looked at his hand. Ace of hearts, two jacks, a four and a two. He didn’t plan on winning this hand so he kept the lower cards and threw down the ace and jacks.
Everyone followed suit and placed another twenty on the table as Chris doled out new cards. He now had two kings and a seven. Not great but then he wanted to lose and stick around longer. Moreno might not invite him back if he won too much.
Looking around, Moreno placed another bill on the table. “I’ll see the twenty and raise another twenty.”
The next man studied his cards then threw forty dollars in. The one after snarled and folded. Barone took a few minutes to look at his cards then glance at the other players. A smirk grew on his face as he placed money on the table.
“Here’s my forty and I’ll raise another forty.” He pointedly looked at Chris.
Chris didn’t have a great hand and knew he’d lose but was he willing to throw in money simply to lose it and make Moreno happy? Or would it be better to fold and stay longer? Staying longer won out.
“I don’t have anything good enough to warrant that. I’m out.” He’d still donated money to the pot.
Barone glared at him, the dislike apparent. He’d had his sights set on Meg for a while.
When the stakes were raised higher, the third player folded leaving Moreno and Barone staring at each other.
Chris took the opportunity to take note of each player and their quirks. Moreno was hardest to read. Not much slipped past his expressionless face.
When the cards were called, Moreno had three fours while Barone only had a pair of tens. Good thing he’d thrown away his good cards. He’d have won with two pairs.
Moreno grinned and pulled the pot to him. Chris collected the cards and handed them to Moreno.
More money was placed on the table and cards dealt.
“So, Mr. Martin, I hear you are setting up a business here in Miami.”
“Trying to, yeah.” Chris was deliberately vague. “I’ve got a few contacts I’ve been meeting with. Taking the rest of the time to soak in the sights.”
“And Katie’s one of those sights?” Barone growled.
“One of the best.”
Moreno handed Chris three new cards. “You must forgive Augustus. He has been trying to get Katie interested for quite a while now. He is jealous you walked in and managed effortlessly.”
More money landed on the table. “I wouldn’t say it was effortless. She was a little stubborn at first. But the manager of the hotel was threatening her with the police and I stepped in and got her out of that mess.”
“So, she’s merely showing her gratitude?” Moreno asked.
“Something like that. It doesn’t hurt that she can use the pool all day and I feed her better than she’s been fed in a while. And the way she shows her gratitude is…satisfying.”
Barone tightened his jaw then threw his cards down, folding. Chris followed suit.
The next hand Chris won and Moreno pumped him again for information on his business.
“It’s mostly electronic and technology sales. I’m in the market for good quality equipment at discounted prices. I have tons of buyers eager to pick this stuff up for resale.”
