Page 48 of Double or Nothing
“Maybe I should wait here in the limo,” Leroy says. “I’m not fond of leaving it unprotected in a back alley.”
“Suit yourself,” Seven says. “It doesn’t make a difference to me. I doubt I’ll need a bodyguard in an empty male strip club. If you’re more comfortable sitting out here, it’s fine.”
The back door to the club swings open and Natasha motions for us to come in. I lead the way, followed closely by the three guys.
She raises her eyebrows at me when we reach her. “I see you brought your bodyguards,” she says, giving the men a closer inspection.
“You’ve already met Kit and Seven.” I reach for Vulcan’s tattooed arm and tug him closer. “This is Vulcan. Vulcan, meet Natasha.”
She appraises him coolly, taking in his tattoos and scars. “I’ve heard of you, Vulcan,” she says. “The man without fear.”
I frown at her, wondering how she knew that since I haven’t said anything to her about Vulcan. Vulcan gives her a curt nod in return.
“Come inside to meet Eva,” Natasha says, stepping back to hold open the door for us to pass through. “She’s waiting for us downstairs. There’s something there I wish to show you, Jade.”
We follow her along the hallway, to a double-locked door. She punches a keycode to unlock it before pulling it open. In front of us is a long set of metal steps leading down into a dimly lit basement.
Kit shoots me a concerned glance and hesitates at the top of the stairs, his protective instincts on high alert. He’s worried about us going down into the basement. I’m not crazy about the idea either.
“One of us should wait here,” he says. “In case there’s trouble.”
“Are you scared of dark basements?” Natasha asks in an amused tone. “There will be no trouble, Cat Man. We’re all on the same side here. You’ll want to see what is down there.”
“I’m certain it’s fine,” I reassure him.
“Be careful walking down the stairs and hold on to the railing,” she advises, going in front of me. “I’ve almost fallen before. Only King, Eva and I are allowed in this room. And now all of you. I hope you realize the great trust we’re placing by sharing our secret.”
I make my way carefully behind her down the narrow metal steps. When we reach the basement, I glance around the big, windowless room. It’s chilly, empty, and drab except for one thing.
A fully functioning slot machine is in the middle of the room with a high-backed leather chair sitting in front of it. The game’s name ‘Peggy Penguin’ is scrawled across the front of the machine in glowing, bright pink lettering, a startling contrast to the bleak surroundings.
I recognize the machine immediately. I’ve seen several of them before in various casinos. It’s a popular game, particularly with older women. The slot machine is colorful, cheerful, and fun. The appeal is understandable. After all, who can resist penguins? Along with the game’s white baby seals, seagulls, and colorful treasure chests filled with glittering jewels.
I hear high heels clicking on the metal stairs behind us and I turn around. Eva is carefully making her way down. Her auburn hair is neatly pulled back, and her dress accentuates her curvy figure as she approaches.
“Welcome to our secret,” she says, waving a hand at the slot machine.
I quickly make introductions, exchanging formalities, then walk over to examine the machine more closely.
“Do you want to see it in action?” Eva asks.
“Of course,” I say.
She inserts a special key into the side. Instantly, the machine sparkles to life. The bright neon lights sparkle, casting a warm, cheerful glow across the dreary room. Loud carnival music blasts from the speakers, interrupted only by the occasional clink-clink-clink noise designed to imitate falling coins.
“Want to try it?” she asks me with an amused smile. “Sit down in the chair. Make yourself comfortable. This might be your new office for a while.”
I walk over to inspect it, running my hand over the smooth surface. “How did it end up here in the basement of Platinum?”
“I’ll let Natasha explain,” Eva says. “She knows the history of the machine better than I do. If you have questions, ask her first. She’s the one who brought it here.”
Natasha walks over to the slot machine and runs a hand with perfectly manicured nails along the top. Flicking off a tiny speck of dust with a finger, she rubs the spot until it shines.
“Peggy Penguin is my baby,” she says, giving it a loving pat. “Straight from Russia. She traveled on a long, difficult journey to arrive here in the United States. Along the way, there were many stops. Now she is finally here with me.”
It’s weird how she’s talking about it, as if it’s a living, breathing thing.
“Before I tell the story, do you already know how Peggy Penguin arrived here?” Natasha asks.
