Page 47 of Sinful Ruin

Unlike my parents, she wouldn’t have turned her back on me. She’d be here, protecting me by any means necessary.I hate you, cancer.

Like Sonya did, Julian deals for two imaginary people.

Biting my lip, I debate whether to play dumb.

He decides our imaginary players’ calls.

He barely blinks while I say mine.

Hit me.

Hold.

I win the first round.

I lose the second purposely, and from the smirk on his face, he knows it.

I win the third.

“I’m impressed.” He collects my cards and shuffles them back into the deck.

“Did you ever think Iwasn’timpressive?” I lean in closer, a flirty smile on my lips.

Flirting with Julian isn’t new.

Neither is attempting to seduce him.

Whenever I knew I’d be around him, I always dressed my best. I wanted him towant me—not see me as only his younger sister’s rich, spoiled friend, who he didn’t trust.

There’s been a shift now though.

A somewhat scary one.

Back then, I knew the chance of us ever beinganythingwould never happen.

Now, there’s this uncertainty.

We’ll have sex until he knocks me up, but then what happens?

I gulp down air, my stomach tightening.

What if I fall in love with him?

I raise my gaze to the ceiling.

Dear God, do not let me fall in love with this man. I’ll never ask for anything ever again.

I’ve lusted over Julian for years, but I’ll never make the mistake of trusting him with my heart. I know he’ll break it with his unrighteous hands.

Julian snapping his fingers in my face breaks my silent prayer.

He holds up the cards. “You are aware card counting is illegal?”

I roll my eyes. “You, of all people, shouldn’t lecture anyone on legalities. I think my crime is lower on the severity scale than yours.” I use my hand to make a fake gun and pretend to shoot at the cabinet behind him. Then, for more artistry, I blow off the muzzle of my imaginary gun.

His never-ending stern stare remains. “This isn’t a game, Genesis.”

I lower my hand. “Trust me, I’m well aware. That’s why I wanted to win some money—to get myself on my feet so you wouldn’t have to pay as much.” I was also bored out of my mind.