weird way that I haven’t noticed before. Is it a signal? Is it just an offhand, meaningless action? I look to David, but his face remains impassive, giving me no hint as to whether this was a tell or a sign of cheating or not. At another point, Bobby rubs his hand over his chin and I wonder again whether it could be a signal. But I have no way of knowing for sure.
David seems to know something, however. He’s playing more aggressively. Should I go for the cherry stem now? I ask the bartender for the needed supply. I carefully put the cherry in my mouth, making the motion as obvious as possible to attract the attention of Bobby and Tony. Tony gives only a brief glance in my direction. Bobby, on the other hand, is totally entranced and his eyes don’t leave my face for a second as I carefully work my tongue around the cherry stem, flicking my tongue across my lips so he can see what I’m doing.
And then I notice it. Concentrated as I am on working the cherry stem in my mouth, I again note that distinct click of chips that I observed before. Not once, but twice. Tony is the one clicking. Meanwhile, Bobby remains transfixed by the show I’m putting on as I part my lips and seductively tie the cherry stem into a perfect knot. Jeremy is likewise ogling me. I stare Bobby straight in the face and hold his gaze as I lick my lips ever so slightly. This is the most sexy and powerful I’ve ever felt.
Tony coughs harshly but Bobby doesn’t seem to notice. He’s still watching me. I carefully take my fingers and remove the cherry stem—now a perfect knot—from my mouth. I flash Bobby a big smile.
Meanwhile, Tony is clicking his chips together furiously, even louder than before. And he’s staring daggers at Bobby, clearly trying to get his attention. I see him mutter something to himself and then he coughs yet again, loudly.
With a start, Bobby turns his attention back to the table. “Awrite, awrite, I fold! Chrissake.” Is he doing exactly what David described and setting things up so Tony can take the pot?
Before another move is made, David raises his head and looks directly at Mike. He gives just one small single nod. That’s all it takes. Ben and Mike step forward, emerging from the shadows. Ben stands directly behind Tony’s chair and Mike stands directly behind Bobby’s.
“Awwww shit,” Jeremy mutters.
Maurice, without a word, scoots his chair back from the table and puts his cards down. He clearly knows this game is over. The dealer is likewise frozen.
“‘Ey, what’s the story?” Bobby looks expectantly to the dealer and then at David. “Sorry, the girl got me a bit distracted. Was dawdlin’ on that last play.” He grins and gives a wink in my direction.
“Shaddup Bobby.” Tony is tense and looks pissed. He’s staring at David with fury in his eyes. “What’s with the muscle?” He motions over his shoulder to where Ben is standing at the ready.
David picks up his glass and downs the remaining scotch before slamming the glass down on the table. “Gotcha,” he says, menacingly, looking Tony square in the face. His voice is low, steady, and even. I’ve never heard it so cold. “I don’t play with cheaters.” He looks up at Mike and Ben. “Take them.” Then he quickly shoots me a look, points to the ceiling and says, “Go upstairs, Lilly.”
“Ah, whad, we wasn’t cheatin’, you don’t hafta throw us out!” Bobby yelps. He scrambles up from his chair as if he’s getting ready to bolt, knocking a drink over in the process as Mike tries to restrain him.
“You better call off your guard dogs,” Tony hisses, struggling to break Ben’s grip on him. But Ben lifts the tiny man up as if he didn’t weigh a thing, and roughly pushes him towards the door. “Fucking dirt-bag!” Tony turns and lunges at Ben, knocking a chair over. His punch connects, I hear the smack, but it doesn’t seem to rattle Ben at all. It’s like using a fly-swatter on a rhinoceros.
“Aw shit, here we go, here we go!” Jeremy has hopped up from his chair and is bouncing from one foot to the other at the side of the room, watching as if it’s fight night. Maurice frowns at him, disapproving, but the kid doesn’t seem to care. “Get him, Ben!” He mock punches the air.
“Hey, get