a hardness to them, something Lilly’s are lacking. “You might be able to fool these clowns,” she spits the words out. “But not me. I’m all in. You’re going down.”
I nod. If I’ve read her bluff wrong, I’ll lose money. Sure. But it’s money I can afford to lose. I doubt Deanna can say the same. I’ve seen grown men cry after smaller losses than what Deanna is about to potentially throw away. We're only waiting on the river, the final of the community cards dealt open-faced on the table, to be played. As things stand, I have a queen and a nine in my hand. With the two queens on the table, that’s already three-of-a-kind. Enough to beat Deanna, if she's bluffing. If another nine is played, I'll have a full house. That may well be enough to beat her even if she isn’t bluffing. But from the way she’s scratching at her wrist, I think even a simple pair would put her out of the game now.
The dealer clears his throat. Mr. Hayashi is sitting forward in his chair, eagerly waiting for the big reveal. Maurice has stopped smoking his cigar and is just chomping on the end, also anticipating the result. Even Jeremy seems to be shaken out of his usual bored rich kid stupor. His eyes are fixed on the dealer’s hands. From the corner of my eye I see Lilly clasp her hands, pressing them tightly together as she stares at the dealer and then again at me, almost reproachfully. I can only hold her stare for a second before I look away. There’s no room for guilt in gambling. We’ve all made our moves and told our tales. Now, it’s up to the cards to tell the truth.
Chapter Three
Lilly
I don’t know much about poker. I’ve seen the old guys back home play on occasion, at the diner or the local bar. So I’ve got a vague idea of how this all works and what makes for a good hand. But the kind of poker played back home is very different from what’s unfolding in front of me here. Back home the cards come with a side of cheap draft beer and maybe some stale peanuts. But the private poker room at the Fortuna looks like it’s straight out of a James Bond movie. The problem is, I’m not sure who’s 007 and who’s the villain.
I’m thankful that Tessa, who seems to be some kind of hostess, has been standing by me all night, answering my whispered questions. I think David somehow told her to take care of me. He didn’t actually say anything to her. I just caught him giving a slight nod towards me when they exchanged looks. Whatever message he sent with his eyes, she received it.
But now, David’s eyes are on me. It’s not the first time I’ve caught him staring tonight. And it’s not the first time he’s caught me looking back.
“Nine of clubs,” the dealer’s solemn voice announces the final card as he turns it over. “Showdown, please.” He looks expectantly at David and Deanna.
Without a word, David turns over the two cards he’s had hidden to himself throughout the game. A queen and the nine of hearts. I hear Tessa breathe in sharply next to me. “A full house,” she whispers to me when I shoot her a questioning look. “Three of a kind and a pair. It’s a strong hand.”
The dealer is looking expectantly at Deanna, waiting for her to show her hand. Standing behind her, I can’t see her face. Can she beat the full house?
“Miss?” The dealer prompts her. And with that simple word, Deanna seems to snap.
“Fuck this!” The words are crisp and clear, and she’s staring directly at David as she says them. She throws down her cards. I don’t have to look at them to know that she’s lost.
“Shit,” Tessa whispers next to me, apparently shocked herself. “She was bluffing.”
“Full house takes it.” The dealer needlessly announces, reaching forward to clear the table of cards. David reaches for the massive pile of chips in the middle of the table.
“No!” Deanna screeches and I hear the sharp slap of her hand beating his away.
“Miss, the pot goes to the winner,” the dealer sternly admonishes her. Meanwhile, the hulking security guards in the corners of the room have stepped forward. One of them gives David an expectant look. I can’t move. I can barely breathe, to be honest.