She was completely fucked.
I was the first person up after the flop. I checked,and, to my relief, so did the human and vampire after Scout. Tully gave me a sly grin and put two more chips in. There was a moment of silence, all except a low growl, that was coming from my throat as Dante matched the bet. I scowled at Tully as he slid his chips forward before everyone looked at Scout.
Don’t.
She set her cards down with shaky hands and unclasped the necklace I had given her only days ago. It was as if she was letting me go completely, and my soul was completely fucking crushed. She set it on top of the pot, and I had to fight back the tears glistening in my eyes.
The dealer dealt the turn, and I caught sight of the ten of diamonds in her hand. It hadn’t improvedher hand.She and I checked again, as did the vampire, but again,Tully made a bet. Her chin quivered when it came to her turn. She didn’t have anything to bet,and her cards were shit.
“No more jewelry?” Tully said, craning his neck to look at her. “Why not toss your panties onto the table?”
Her head shot up, and she furiously shook her head. He laughed, and his eyes grew dark. “I suggest you do something—otherwise,I’ll consider it a fold.”
Pressing her lips together tightly, she stood, brought her hands under her dress, and tugged her underwear off. Mortification flooded her cheeks as she folded the black boy shorts and placed them beside my necklace. “All in.”
“Good girl.”
His purring was a jolt to my system. I stood up again, and people began calling for me to relax. I blinked rapidly and sat down.
What was going on with me? This wasn’t like me. I didn’t just follow orders. Tully should be on the ground, not telling me what to do.
I said a silent prayer that hedidnot win as the dealer laid out the river, a two of spades. I couldn’t believe my luck.Her luck.It wasn’t a high pair, but she actually had something.
Tully bet again, though, and I dreaded seeing his hand, sure that he must be able to beat a pair of twos. Dante folded, and I matched Tully’s bet. The vampire I didn’t know folded as well, which only left Scout, Tully, and me to show our hands. Scout was visibly losing it, swiveling her head to look at us.
Tully was grinning at me. He took such delight in screwing with me. He knew how much Scout meant to me and what I did to get her back. How could he?
Because he was a Seven Sin. That’s how. I reached forward and grabbed a handful of candy. I tossed them back, and I felt them almost instantly dissolve.
Tully threw his cards down first, revealing an ace and queen of clubs.
My stomach turned so hard when I saw his two-pair. Scout let out a small cry and dropped her cards face-up in front of her. Everyone stared at them in shock. She slumped in her seat as tears sprang from her eyes. Sharp cries escaped the table, with someone swearing and another laughing.
“Desiderio? Your hand.”
I blinked and raised my head.
What did he say?
The candy was really strong. The flavor was weird. I felt weird. Tully repeated himself.
I set my cards down slowly, and everyone leaned in. Relief washed over the table as they saw my six of spades and six of diamonds. Trip sixes beats a two-pair. She was saved.
I won.
I won.
She wouldn’t be forced to sleep with a stranger. Scout slumped in her seat, relief washing over her.
Loud noises rang through the room,but I couldn’t focus on anything other than how close we had come to disaster.And now, that was over. But then, Tully cocked his head and opened his mouth.
“Aren’t you going to take your prize?” His eyes were dark and almost… hypnotic.
My mouth opened without my permission.
“Stand up.” I barked at Scout. My mind suddenly went blank, and only Tully’s words echoed in there.
“Take. Your. Prize.”
