Page 117 of Tell Me All Your Lies
The person backs away, and only moments later, the door is being cracked open. I step inside the dark room as the person shuts it behind me. It rings through the room as the door struggles to shut.
“Ace Weston. Here to play in the poker tournament.”
The man looks at me with a blank expression. I keep eye contact as I wait for any signal of what’s to come.
“Through the hall, door is straight ahead,” the bouncer says.
“Thanks.”
I give him a tilt of my head as I start to head toward the tournament. Suddenly, the door opens, and I turn back around to see who it is. Someone I don’t recognize, who looks worse for wear. He’s sporting an all-black outfit but looks weathered and exhausted.
Time to focus on what’s ahead.
As I go through the doors, I walk into a room full of chatter coming from every inch of the place. There are people seated in rows around the poker table smack dab in the center of it all.
The adrenaline rush that I feel when on a mission comes flooding through my nervous system.
I spot other players gathered near the poker table, so I head toward them.
“Ace Weston?” someone asks as I approach.
“That’s me.”
“Bucky. This here is my tournament. Cordelia or Taby tell you the rules of my game?”
“Afraid not.”
His gut spills over the top of his pants, which he starts to pull up. Bucky. He’s sweating profusely as he signals for all the other players to gather round.
The man who came in behind me steps next to where I wait.
“Roberts?”
“Joe Roberts.”
“Good. Just in time; otherwise, you would have been eliminated,” Bucky says.
“Here are the rules of my game. No buy-ins once you’re out. If you’re caught counting or cheating in any way, you’re out and forfeit your spot. That goes for tonight and the next year. Hell, for fuckin’ ever. Got it?” Bucky asks.
Everyone agrees to the terms.
“One winner. Tonight, you’ll be paid in diamonds that you can turn into cash. I don’t fuckin’ care what you do with them.”
The group of players nods in agreement.
“Good. Drinks are on the house after this. Let the game begin,” he finishes and signals for the dealer to approach the table.
We all take our seats, and as soon as I sit, I notice someone I’ve seen before since being in North Carolina. Maybe from a barbecue or the casino, but one of these players is connected to Taby’s organization. I feel it in my gut.
All these people around me must be part of some kind of criminal organization. This isn’t exactly the most welcoming crowd to step into.
I’m nervous that Cara is outside waiting. Once again, I have to remind myself that she’s used to being in these situations. Just because I want to protect her doesn’t mean I can stifle who she is.
One by one, the dealer starts to deal the poker cards, and the first game is underway minutes later.
With the tournament stretching on, I use all my skills to stay in it. Player after player is being taken out, and I can’t get overly confident with what’s happening. All it takes is one slip, and I’ll lose.
“Roberts. Weston. Final round.”
