“Good evening, miss.” Tessa’s pleasant voice comes through. “What would you like to drink?” For a moment, I think Deanna came alone. I feel a prick of annoyance, which I cover by signaling to one of the cocktail waitresses for another scotch. One more and then all my focus has to be on the game. I keep myself to a two-scotch limit for all gaming. It’s a rule I’ve never broken.
“Alright boys, ready to see what a lady can do?” Deanna bursts through the curtain. I force myself to pause before looking up at her and feel some relief when I see Lilly a step behind. Compared to Deanna’s bravado, Lilly made such a quiet entrance, it’s like she wasn’t there at all.
“Gentlemen. Meet Deanna Madison,” Tessa smoothly introduces the raucous addition to our game. Clearly, Terry briefed her fully in the short space of time it took for me to make it from the security hub to here.
“Please,” I stand and gesture to the empty chair across the table. “Deanna, meet Maurice Johnston, Jeremy Ainsworth, and Mr. Takao Hayashi.” The other two men simply give her a cool nod while Mr. Hayashi, unfailingly polite, stands up and bows to her deeply. “And I’m—”
“David.” Lilly says my name at the same time as I do. Her eyes are round, staring at me.
“David Milner.”
“He works at the casino,” Lilly murmurs to Deanna, her eyes wide. “He’s a pit boss. I met him earlier.” Out of the corner of my eye, I see Maurice give a start of confusion. Jeremy has an obnoxious smirk plastered across his face. Even Mr. Hayashi is carefully looking down to hide a slight smile, amused by Lilly’s inadvertent faux pas. I don’t have the heart to correct her in front of them.
“Well, shit. This really is the high-roller table, huh?” Deanna plops down in her seat, seemingly unimpressed. She has no clue what kind of money she’s sitting with, I realize with grim resignation. Well…either no clue or too drunk to care. Meanwhile, Lilly has retreated to the far side of the room, hovering near the bartender. Her thin fingers clutch her champagne flute. I notice that she’s holding it by the actual glass—not the stem like you’re supposed to, to keep it from getting warm.
“We playing or what, David?” Jeremy calls my attention back to the table. Entitled little prick. I hate trust fund kids. Men like Maurice and Mr. Hayashi have worked for what they’ve got. Just like I had to. Kids like Jeremy though…they’ll never work a day in their lives.
“Let’s play.” I give a node of assent to the dealer, who’s eyeing me expectantly.
“Texas Hold’em. Buy-in is $25,000.” I hear a gasp from Lilly's side of the room at this remark. With five players, that’s a starting pot of $125,000. “Pot limit,” the dealer concludes.
“What’s that mean?” I hear Lilly’s slight whisper under the clicking of chips. Tessa, clearly recognizing Lilly as a fish out of water, has kindly stationed herself next to the young girl and is explaining that this means the maximum raise can't exceed the size of the pot.
I take one last look at Lilly’s flouncy floral dress, noting the ruffle stopping just above her knee. Then I turn my attention back to the table. Deanna’s eyes are fixed on me and she raises one eyebrow briefly.
“Like what you see?” She remarks. Clearly, she saw me scoping out her sister. I ignore her and reach for my cards. The hand has been dealt. Let the chips fall where they may. I only need to glance at my cards to see my hand is useless. I'll bluff and let myself get taken early on. I want Deanna to see me lose. Build up her confidence. And then take her down.
“Check or bet.” The dealer's voice cuts into my thoughts.
“Check.”
“Check,” Mr. Hayashi echoes me.
“Bet.” Jeremy ups the stakes and shoves a fresh $25,000 chip onto the table, as bored as if it were a mere $25.
“Call.” Deanna throws her own $25,000chip on the table before the dealer can get a word in edgewise.
Soon enough, Deanna is owning the table. She takes the first few hands. I have to admit she’s better than I expected. More calculating then I anticipated. And more observant. Every time I cast a glance at Lilly, Deanna seems to notice.
A new hand is dealt. I check my cards. The ten of hearts and a four of clubs. Not looking too promising. I glance around the table but