Page 17 of East (The Moral Compass 3)

The old goat can tell I’m not Drake, and I have a strong suspicion she knew that all along.

“I just want to get to East. I need to make sure she’s okay,” I say, trying to move away from her.

“Oh, dear, she is fine. She’s having a whale of a time. Those gentlemen are really looking after her.” A sly grin appears on her face as heat fills my whole body. What the hell is this? Why am I suddenly boiling? Heat flares round my collar as I watch her interacting with the group. One guy in particular has taken a shine. Before I know it my feet have moved, and I am towering above where she is seated.

“You okay there? I wondered where you’d gone,” I bend to whisper in her ear. It almost looks intimate to any onlooker.

She turns in surprise. “Yes, I’m fine. What do you want?”

“I heard the door close and wanted to make sure you were okay. You know… after our little—”

“Chat!” she finishes the sentence for me.

“Yeah. You looked a little dejected, and I don’t want there to be any awkwardness between us. We have still got a job to do and… I… I…”

“You what? What is it you’re trying to say? You’re putting me off my hand and, if you hadn’t noticed, I’m doing quite well,” she growls through her teeth, her eyebrows pulled together.

“I was just making sure we were okay.”

“Well, we are just peachy. So, no need for you to hang around cramping my style. It looks like there are a few interested parties around this table, even if you’re not.” She returns her gaze to the cards in her hand.

“I’ll see you and raise you ten thousand.”

“Ten fucking thousand? Are you stupid?”

“No, I’m not, but if you don’t fuck off, you’re going to be very fucking sorry,” she singsongs with her head tilted.

The chair next to her vacates quickly as he can tell things are getting heated between us, and I take my seat right next to her.

“Not going anywhere, Diamond. I am going to sit here and watch you play all night.”

“For fuck’s sake, Zed, just do one, will you? You made your intentions perfectly clear, and I accept them. So, go the fuck away, and let me get on with this game.” She looks up at the table all staring at the pair of us.

“See what you’ve done? I’ve just lost ten grand, you dick head. Now, if you insist on sitting there, keep your eyes on your own cards and keep your trap shut.” She slams down the cards in her hand as the dealer collects them back in.

I really like this side of East. Most women would have been all clingy and shit, but not her. She wants me as far away from her as possible, but I’m not going anywhere, not tonight, anyway. There is no way any of those fuckwits are coming anywhere near her.

I take a good look around the table. There are some real shady characters. I’m just eyeing up the one who seems to have taken the most interest in East when Margarite appears behind us with two drinks.

“Thought you two might need a little loosening up. From what I’ve just seen, the pair of you could use a drink.”

“Thanks,” I say as East takes a drink from Margarite and downs it in one.

“Thank you, Margarite, you were right. I did need a drink. Do you think the waiters could get me another one or possibly two?” she asks, rolling her eyes. “I think I’m going to need a lot more where they came from if this lunk is going to stalk me all night.”

“I’m sure that can be arranged.” She smiles as she walks away, signalling for a waiter to come and take our order.

I down my own drink and order us both refills. East has one thing right: the alcohol will make this night a bit easier.

I don’t know how many hands of cards we have played. I’m up about ten grand, but East is way ahead. I know who taught her to play poker: the guy who used to beat me every time. West.

Several rounds of drinks later, they have certainly done the trick. I feel more relaxed than I have in years, and East is nowhere near as frosty as she was earlier. It’s getting really warm, and I can tell East is feeling it, too. She keeps wiping her head with a napkin.

“Do you fancy getting some air?” I ask her. “It’s getting a bit warm in here.” If she says no, then it looks like I’m staying put.

“I thought you’d never ask. It feels like someone has turned up the heat.” She finishes her hand, throws down the rest of her drink like a sailor, and piles the chips she has won into her purse.

“Ready when you are, BG”

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