Bluffing the Devil Read online

  "Deal! Want to shake on it?" he asked me with hand stretched out to me.

  "Sure!" I said as I shook my booty and then trotted away.

  "Well, that's a much better shake than I had in mind, thanks love!" he called after me, chuckling.

  "Are you two being inappropriate and lovey dovey again?" Rhea asked me as I went past her on the couch.

  "Who, us?" I asked pointing back at Devin. "No, never!"

  The fit of giggles that elicited should have made me want to throttle people in an epic pillow fight or something, but instead I giggled with them. They were right. It might not be a saint, but sinning sure was fun and giggle-worthy.

  I decided to keep my complete outfit on for the tournament. I looked nice, my lucky bracelet was bound to bring me some luck at some point, and I was just feeling too lazy to change into something more comfy. I still grabbed my lucky hoodie on the way out as I kissed Devin and made him pinky-promise to call or text, as soon as anything changed. He vowed it on his freedom, which meant the absolute world to me.

  The kiss he gave me as I was leaving made my heart quiver, my toes curl, and my breath traipse off into the night. I asked what made him kiss me that way and he said that he never wanted us to part ways without saying how we felt, or showing it with affection. You truly never know what might happen at any time. He was right to make that a new "rule" or habit for us. It made me even more happy and giggly, that he brought it up instead of me. It seemed like an emotionally awesome thing to do, and for the guy to initiate it that meant something to me.

  With that realization came another rude awakening that Devin was turning me into a sweet little girly girl that swooned over everything. I wasn't sure I was going to like that very much. I simply don't "do" being girly.

  I walked back through the suite and headed for the front door when Devin pounced on me like a lion and gave me a quick kiss. He grabbed my hand and said, "Good luck. See you in a bit?"

  "Thank you!" I was giggling from the sneak-attack kiss. "Yes, I promise! See you in a bit."

  I had a horrendous habit of saying things I should not say to Devin. I just broke my biggest rule in life by promising to return. I knew I wanted to and, I mean, he was in a hotel room, what's the worst that could happen? But, still a feeling of dread blazed through my stomach.

  He kissed me again, "Sweet. I promise I will be good!" He padded off to watch awful football again as I walked out to chase my dream.

  Chapter 16

  We arrived at the casino with twenty minutes to spare before the game would start. The place was much more crowded than the night before because tonight was the main event; whoever won tonight would have a seat at the final in the biggest poker game in the world.

  The floor had only nine tables set up for the final. Two players from each table the previous night were set to battle until the final six would meet at the main table and duke it out to find out who the champion of the entire tournament was.

  Rey and I were, luckily, placed at separate tables again. I had played with a few of the people on my table before and knew their style. Three of the players actually greeted me before being seated, the other two were apparently much too busy and important to speak. My sites were set on them first to leave. No respect in a game like this meant you didn’t go far. Players smell cockiness and attitude and swarm. They aren't called "poker sharks" for nothing.

  I saw Rhea and Victoria taking their seats in the assigned area. They were in my direct line of sight at my current table, so that put my mind at ease. I wouldn't have to look around all awkward all night to catch a signal from them in case Devin notified us about Carly.

  I ordered a cranberry juice, put my hoodie in my lap, and lazily played with my lucky bracelet. I rolled the beads between my fingers almost like worry beads or a crucifix. I sent up a tiny, silent prayer for strength in the game and focus, before I knew it the announcer was telling us it was time to play.

  The game started off quickly for me. I was getting great hands and making chips hand-over-fist. The two cocky players that were far too busy to notice us "fish" at the table were knocked out first. One of the other players I recognized gave me a slight nod after knocking the second jerk off the table.

  "Well played," was all he said. It was a simple, but powerful term of respect, from one player to another.

  "Thank you. You also," I returned the respect, always.

  The rest of the game went by pretty quickly. The cards were coming and people were betting like there was no tomorrow. The fact was, this was the final night and there really was no tomorrow for any of the players. If someone wanted to make a move, being aggressive early and making things happen was the way to go. If you were someone that wanted to stay around a while though, you took your time, played the right hands, and changed things up so that no one could ever see what you were up to.

  An hour into the game, I decided I wanted to try my chance with bluffing. I had a good, strong hand, but the board was not being nice to me. I made it look like I was excited about the potential of a good hand and made someone fold what I know had to have been a better hand. I didn't want to admit that I had done that and I immediately felt bad, so I just sat back and slow-played for the next few hands.

  Time ticked away so slowly and I was becoming antsy when the first break was announced. I nearly vaulted from my seat and over to my friends for an update.

  They had heard nothing from Devin on Carly's well-being. I contemplated taking a stroll back to the hotel to check on them, but was nervous not to make it back on time for the game to start back, so I stayed and got a new drink for myself and chatted with my girls for a bit.

  Victoria volunteered to go back to the room in an hour if no one had called yet. She just wanted to make sure things were okay, and was worried that I was going to be distracted all night if I didn't have some information soon. She was right, of course, but I didn't want to admit that.

  The break was over and Rey walked up to me as we were about to be seated again.

  "Heard any news on your girl yet?"

  "No, not yet. Victoria will go check on her in an hour, she says."

  Rey looked over into the spectator area, sent a small wave to Rhea, who reciprocated quickly, and nodded to Victoria. She surprised me by nodding back. Their unspoken "I have her back when you aren't around" sort of truce was cute to me.

  "Good luck," I said to Rey as he was heading to his table.

  "You too, buttercup."

  I rolled my eyes, "Really?"

  "What? I haven't called you something cute all day. Give a fella a bone over here, geez!"

  "Ha! Okay. Good luck, sugar bowl!"

  "Well, okay you need to work on your nicknames, but see? That's a start and much better," he said with a sweet smile, and then sat at his own table. He and I had a rocky start, but he was turning out to be a really great friend.

  I sat down, feeling uneasy and strange, but I couldn't figure out why. I chalked it up to nerves of nearing the end of this round.

  When the dealer arrived, a chill crept up my neck. I looked up to see her.

  "What are you doing here?" I asked in a hushed, but aggressive tone.

  "I'm working here, lady. Do you have a problem with that?" The Devil grinned at me with her million dollar smile. I couldn't say anything or fight the fact that she was our dealer. Certainly she didn't usually work for the casino. She tricked someone into getting to deal. I knew her game, but what she was doing at my table was beyond me.

  "What do you want?" I asked urgently, hoping she would get what she came for then leave.

  "You."

  "Oh, just like that. That's all?"

  "Yes, you surrender yourself to me, I will have someone kill you, and then I will leave Rey and Devin in peace with their newfound freedom." She spoke so calmly as she brushed the felt and prepared her seat for the game.

  "And if I don't want to "surrender" myself to you?"

  "Then you are in for a world of hurt. I will have your so
ul, theirs, and everyone's that you love before the night is over. Don't test me, little girl. Your power means nothing to me." Her eyes flashed in anger and heat bellowed off of her.

  "I have no power! Why would you want me?"

  She looked up slowly from the table, "You don't even know what you are, do you?" I could feel her evil chuckle all the way at the pit of my stomach. "You are preciously delightful."

  "No, what am I?"

  "Oh no, I’m sorry darling. One doesn't show their hand until they absolutely have to. Pay to play," she sneered.

  "No thanks. I don't play your kind of game, bitch." My contempt for her and her bullshit was definitely showing on my face. The other players at the table looked a little bewildered and then one signaled the floor manager and let them know that there was a conflict of interest at our table.

  "Your little buddies can't protect you. You pushed my hand," she said as she stood and a new dealer was placed at our table.

  "I don't know what was going on with you and fake, sexy bitch, but it looked like you were going to rip her face off," one of the players said.

  "We have a little bit of history. I'd like to gut her with a rusted knife though," I said sounding more and more distant with each word.

  "Yeah, I could see that. Are you okay?" the player's concern was so sweet.

  "Yes, I’m fine sweetie. Thank you," I said and patted his hand. "Thanks for having her escorted out."

  "I didn't want to get entrails all over my stack," he joked.

  "Right? I hate it when they stick together. It's like "Ew, keep your blood off my hard-earned chips, lady," and they never listen, do they?" Our laughter was soothing to me.

  "Well, this one time someone listened and she's gone now," he added.

  "A point that is very well taken now, let's do this!" My attempt at sounding excited and ready seemed to go over well and the dealer began our game.

  I looked up to the spectator area and saw Rhea and Victoria looking like they wanted to scream. I would have to update them later. I took a mental note.

  I played more aggressive than normal and knocked out two more players, leaving me to be heads up with the guy who joked about entrails with me. The next break was announced and I rocketed out of my seat to meet Victoria and Rhea to tell them what was going on and what she had said to me.

  "That was her? Holy shit, she's hot!"

  "No shit, Rhea. She has to use her looks to help her get what she wants and pull people to her," Victoria added. "She's good looking, I'll give you that, but that nasty face she makes when talking shit, just makes a person want to throat-punch her and steal her shoes."

  "You sound like Carly for a second," I giggled. "Has anyone heard from her? Are you guys going to go check on them?"

  "We will go right now so we can be back to watch the final table," Rhea announced and squeezed my hand. "You are doing so great. I saw that guy try to donk-out and slow play you with nothing. Love that you had the nuts. Idiot!"

  My eyes widened a bit. "Did you just pull a poker-rich sentence out on me, Rhea? I'm so impressed right now," I said with a giggle. "Poor baby, you have to hear me talk about poker way too much if that sentence flowed so easily from you. Sorry!"

  "I'm not sorry. It's exciting to watch you play. I love it. I couldn't do it, but you are great and it's thrilling to watch you size people up and crush them. Sexy!"

  "Yeah, I guess," I said, still working my way around the giggle she induced before.

  "Okay babe. We are going to head that way, check on things, then come right back. Love you!" Victoria pulled me in for a huge hug. "You're kicking ass. I'm always proud of you, just so you know," she whispered into my ear, making me smile. I knew she was proud, but to hear it was awesome.

  "Dude, what the hell? It's my turn for a hug," Rhea stepped in, shoving Victoria over. "Geez, greedy bitch!"

  "Where's my hug?" Rey said, typical snake in the grass. That guy could sneak up on you without a sound, always. If I didn’t know him, I would think he was some sort of ninja or at least a kid hiding his actions from his mother. That somehow seems more apropos.

  "I don't know, I think we all rubbed it off on Rhea though."

  He took my words and scooped Rhea up in a big hug. "Yep, seems about right. She was covered in the stuff. So glad I was able to take some away. A girl could smother under all of that love," he said with a smile. "Are you girls going somewhere?"

  "We are just going back to the suite to check on Carly and Devin. He might need some food by now, and we want to see how she's feeling. You know Alexia, always worrying about everyone else. We don't want her to lose focus, so we volunteered to go."

  "That is so nice of you girls. Do you need an assistant?" he offered.

  "You’re playing and we’re big girls, we can handle anything," Rhea said with a fake-war face going on.

  "I didn't mean me, sweetie. I have people that would join you if need be," he said, as he raised his hand, Rhea looked behind him and saw three ridiculously huge, sexy, tattoo covered guys raise from their seats.

  Rey put his hand down and they all sat.

  "Wow, cool trick. You should teach me that sometime. I'd love to have a horde of sexy boy toys at my beck and call," Victoria said with a look of pure joy on her face. She was lost in a daydream for a moment, when I snapped my fingers in front of her to wake her.

  "Uh, daydream about half naked, God-like creatures later. You have a mission," I reminded her.

  "Yes, of course. Yes," she said as she grabbed Rhea's elbow and dragged her out of the casino. "We will be back in a jiffy," she shouted over her shoulder as they cleared the doorway.

  "So, ready to go back in and win this thing?" I asked Rey.

  "It’s like shooting fish in a barrel, babe. Let's do it!"

  Chapter 17

  The heads up portion after the break felt like it lasted all of my life. The time could not have gone slower unless it stopped all together.

  The next break started an hour later and by that point, I was ready to shoot myself in the face to stop the need to return to the floor. The break was set to be thirty minutes so Rey and I decided to grab a snack and head down to the beach for some much needed fresh air. Rhea and Victoria were nowhere to be found, so I assumed they were chatting up Devin and Carly back at the suite. No news is good news, right?

  "Even I wanted to be out of there this time, geez. Did it feel like the walls were pressing your soul, too?" Rey asked as soon as the door opened to the outside.

  "Yes!! I was suffocating!"

  The warm air wrapped around us and I took a deep breath, releasing all the stress of the night. I could feel it simply lift off of my shoulders. Amazing what a little fresh air will do for your spirit.

  We stopped by a little shop to grab a bite to eat. Rey offered me a salad and I rolled my eyes at him, reminded him that I am not a rabbit, and reached for a chicken sandwich.

  "A girl that likes her meat is always welcome to have dinner with me," he said with a snicker.

  "If I don’t eat enough protein, I get all wimpy and it’s just not a good look for me," I said as we headed to the beach. I munched on the cup of grapes I had bought at the shop. Maybe food and beach together could shake the odd feeling I kept having.

  We arrived at my favorite spot on the beach. I kicked off the shoes that were threatening to make my feet defect from my body and sat down.

  I looked over at the peer to see if any boats were in dock. I wanted to go on a boat ride before leaving to go home the next day. I was about to look down at my midnight snack when something under the peer caught my eye; a woman standing in the water.

  It looked as if she had lost something and was looking for it. I put my food down and told Rey that I would be right back.

  "What? Where are you going, woman?" he said, sounding annoyed. He was enjoying the break too much to have to walk again.

  "That girl, she looks like she needs help," I answered as I kept on walking, my eyes were narrowed to try to get a better
look at her. "I am going to just go see if she's okay, that's all. I'll be right back."

  As I got closer, I realized that wasn't just any girl, it was Carly. And she wasn't looking for something, she was… drowning someone.

  I immediately burst into a run. I didn't know what was going on, but something was terribly off and she needed me.

  The water swirled and lashed around her arms as she held him under. He fought and clawed at her arms until she pulled him up with a bored look washed across her brow. Her fist was full of his hair and she shook him like a ragdoll as if he were weightless.

  "You had something more to say? I thought you were all finished talking?" she snarled with a menacing chuckle.

  "You… you're…" he choked out. "Does she know?"

  "No, but she will find out soon enough," as she looked up and locked eyes with me. "I don't need you as a distraction," she said as she shoved his face under the rushing water again and held him until he stopped fighting.

  "That's what I thought," she mumbled, as she released his lifeless body and trudged up the shore just as I got there.

  "What the fuck, Carly? What are you doing?"

  I sloshed through the tide to pull Devin up to safety. Gasping for air and reaching for me; he had been left to die. This time it was by someone I loved and thought I knew.

  Rey arrived just as I was pulling Devin to shore, as Carly stood staring menacingly at us.

  "Um, I'm no expert and truly a bad person inside, but that's definitely not how you treat your friends," he said, as I lunged at Carly. Raw fury lashed from me as I landed a punch straight to her face then swept her legs from under her. I wanted to pounce on her and beat the life out of her, but I had to make sure Devin was going to be okay.

  I turned and the world went black.

  Chapter 18

  Every time I opened my eyes lately, I feel dozens of sensations at once, usually good ones that remind me of where I had been while sleeping.

  Waking up, not being able to see, feeling pain in various places, and hearing strange surroundings was not my favorite way to wake up, I decided.