Page 142 of Theirs to Tempt: The Marriage Claim

The piece is cool and heavy.

“This is not rational,” I whisper.

“No,” he agrees. “It is a choice.”

The word moves through me.

A choice.

A choice that matters, with the consequences shared by all three of us.

I look at the score display.

Banker has won five of the last eight hands.

That means nothing.

Player won the previous two.

That also means nothing.

The cards do not know what came before.

But Voss chose player before Lucian ever offered me the decision. He thinks momentum belongs to him. He thinks he has regained control.

And he still thinks I’m an emotional weakness rather than an asset.

I place the plaque on banker.

Voss smiles. “Predictable.”

“Is it?” I meet his gaze.

For a brief second, Lucian settles his hand over mine.

The dealer announces that no more wagers will be accepted.

The salon becomes absolutely silent.

She draws two cards for player and two for banker.

Player’s cards turn first.

A two.

Then a three.

Five.

Banker receives a four and a two.

Six.

Player must draw.

The dealer takes one final card from the shoe and places it face down on the felt.

My pulse is everywhere.