Call My Bluff

by Elizabeth Knox

I seriously don’t know where she puts it. Emilie is on the tall side and skinny. I was chubby through my childhood and teens, but that was from my poor diet because I had to take care of myself for the most part. I ate what was easy and cheap.

  Braxton’s always been fit and I’m sure she gets it from him. Our waitress comes and takes our order. I’d love to have a big steak and some mac and cheese, but instead I order salmon and veggies.

  Emilie tells me about a boy at school that she likes and I want to tell her to stay away from him because boys turn into evil men. Oh I’m sure there are good guys out there, but not for me. “That’s nice, baby. Does he treat you right?”

  She nods while smiling. “He always gives me his snack and we sit together every day at lunch.”

  “Well maybe we can set up a playdate with you two.”

  Emilie claps excitedly and continues to clap because our waitress just brought us our food. The waitress smiles at her and then at me, “Does everything look okay?”

  “Yes, it looks great. Thank you.”

  After I cut up her steak I set it back in front of her. My girl digs in with gusto and I take a bite of my fish, wishing it was steak. While I chew my bite of food the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

  I glance around the restaurant, but don’t see anyone lurking around or anyone staring at us. I ignore it and turn back to my meal and my daughter.

  An hour later and we’re heading toward our seats. This is Emilie’s first concert and I splurged on good seats. She has a prime view of the stage. Her soda is clutched tightly in her hands and she’s now sporting a Gwen t-shirt over her dress.

  I sip my vodka tonic and we wait for the show to start.

  After the concert is over Emilie is grinning from ear to ear. She loved every second and even though she didn’t know a lot of the songs she still shook her little booty. My throat feels sore from singing along, but it was worth it.

  We make our way back toward the hotel and are waiting for the elevator to open when that creepy feeling comes back over me. Once again, I look around but see no one. I’m not sure what I’m looking for, but nothing seems to be out of place.

  Chapter Six

  Lara

  I’m back at the Zephyr. I sit down at a video poker machine and put my card in. I begin hitting the button as my eyes scan the floor. Asia knows now that I had fucked Braxton and it kind of messed my head up a bit.

  I told her I was going to have to come up with another plan, but I needed a little bit of time. Asia showed me the security card that she lifted from her “boyfriend” and duplicated it on this little device she has. She did it so fast he didn’t even know it was missing.

  Now my plan is to let him see me, he may not approach because I’ve never seen him with the same woman twice. I’m hoping— well I don’t know what I’m hoping. I was supposed to meet him and start earning his trust to be in his inner circle.

  Instead, I let my hormones take over and did something extremely stupid. I’m up five hundred dollars when I feel someone tap me on the shoulder. It’s a man in a black suit. “Please come with me.” I pull my card and shove it in my clutch right before he grabs me by my bicep.

  My heart hammers in my chest as he leads me through the casino toward the private elevator I rode with Braxton. “W-Where am I going? What did I do?”

  As we step onto the elevator he says firmly. “Mr. Banks would like to see you.” The doors slide shut and I feel my stomach pitch. What’s he going to do to me? When the elevator stops and the doors slide open I freeze.

  Braxton is standing there his eyes so dark it scares me. He grabs my hand and yanks me out of the elevator. The doors slide shut and it’s just the two of us.

  Braxton moves fast and suddenly he’s caging me in against the closed elevator doors. “Explain yourself.”

  “W-What?”

  “Why did you leave?” He’s so close his chest is brushing against my breasts. The scent of whiskey comes from his mouth. My brain short circuits and I grab his face bringing it down to mine. I kiss his lips with gusto and thrust my tongue into his mouth.

  Braxton lets me control the kiss for about two seconds before taking over. He grabs my leg, hoisting it over his hip, and he grinds his hard cock against my pussy. His lips travel to my ear. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about your sweet cunt. I’ve craved you. I’ve woken up with the taste of you still in my mouth.”

  I whimper because as much as I hate him, I have craved him too. “Please I need you.” I’m begging, but for what?

  “Fuck yeah you do.” He slams his lips back down on mine. The sound of his belt buckle echoes in the lobby of his floor. He then reaches under my dress, ripping my panties off.

  In a flash he’s inside of me. I wrap my arms around his head as he lifts my leg again, pulling his cock almost all of the way out before driving his dick into me over and over.

  Braxton grips my hair at the base of my skull and keeps eye contact with me as he fucks me roughly. Over and over he pounds into me until I explode, crying out as my orgasm flows through every inch of my body.

  He thrusts once, twice, and then buries himself balls deep inside of me coming over and over inside of me while a ragged groan slips from his lips. When he stops fucking me the only sound that can be heard is both of our panting breaths.

  His softening cock slips from my body and he lets my leg down. Braxton kisses me slowly, sweetly, but I pull away. I don’t want him being sweet. He needs to be the same evil asshole he’s always been. “That can’t happen again.” I growl.

  Braxton laughs softly, “Okay babe, if you say so.” He removes his condom and then tucks his cock back in his pants. He grabs my hand and drags me down a long hall. We step inside a large office, and he leads me over to a chaise lounge against the wall.

  “I have a little work to do and I don’t want you running off.” I roll my eyes and cross my arms defensively over my chest, but then I realize where I’m at and I sit back and start casually looking around.

  His office is bigger than our living room and dining room combined. Braxton has a wall of monitors that show the casino floor— that are, obviously, how he knew I was here— dammit. “Were there cameras on us out there?” I make myself appear mortified.

  Braxton doesn’t look up from his computer. “No, the only cameras up here are on the safes.”

  Safes, plural, I’m going to have to talk to Asia about this. I think we need to rethink our plan. “Hmph . . . good.”

  He gets up and comes to sit next to me. Braxton places his hand on my thigh, making my pussy quiver. I’ll just keep fucking him until the job is done and then Emilie and I will be gone. No harm in that . . . right?

  I feel his lips touch my ear. “Why did you leave me that night? I wasn’t done with you yet.”

  “I figured you were the one and done type.” I whimper as he nips at my neck. “I left before you could kick me out. I’m the one who leaves.”

  His hand lands on my thigh and slowly moves up as he licks and nips at my skin. “One time was not nearly enough time with you. I think I’m going to need seconds, thirds, and possibly fourths.”

  I spread my legs enough for him to reach my bare pussy, stroking it, and making me moan. His fingers glide through my arousal and then he rubs my clit.

  “Boss we nee . . . Sorry to interrupt.” A man I’ve never seen before, in a black suit, stands in the doorway.

  I try to close my legs, but Braxton keeps rubbing me. Even when I try to push his hand away, he keeps it right where it’s at.

  “Give me five minutes. I’ll be right there.” The other man leaves immediately, leaving us alone. “Sorry about that. Where were we?”

  “Yeah I don’t think so.” I shove him back enough to stand up. On quick feet I head out of his office and move toward the elevator.

  “Stop walking away from me.” Braxton grabs my upper arm and turns me around to face him. “What did I tell you? I’m not done with you yet.”

  I yank my a
rm from his hold. “I don’t give a fuck.” I press the down button, tapping my foot while I wait for it to open.

  He spins me around, his hand going around my throat, not hard, but enough to show me who is in control. He pins me to the elevator doors and leans in close, “I always get what I want, Larissa.”

  The doors open, I step on, and I hit the down button. We lock eyes as the doors slide shut. It’s not until I step off the elevator downstairs that I freeze. “He called me Larissa.” I whisper.

  I hustle out of the casino like my ass is on fire. The whole way home I feel sick. Does he know I’m playing him? How does he know who I really am? I pull up in front of the house and rush inside.

  Holly is sitting in the living room with Emilie asleep next to her with her head on her auntie’s lap. “She had a nightmare.”

  My eyes burn— I should’ve been here with her, not having sex with her dad. “What was it about?” I whisper as I sit down on the other end of the sofa and pick her up until her head is in my lap so I can stroke her hair.

  “She said she couldn’t find you and she was scared because there was a monster chasing her.”

  “Thank you for taking care of her.” I reach out and grab her hand. “I love you.”

  Holly smiles and squeezes my hand. “I love you, and I love that little munchkin. You guys are my family.”

  “Ditto. Can I tell you something I should’ve told you a long time ago?” She nods and I proceed to tell her about Braxton, his betrayal, and that he’s why I picked the Silver Zephyr. “I shouldn’t have kept it from you, but I was afraid if you all knew that it could make things complicated. Asia’s the only one who knows.”

  “That’s why after you changed your looks you changed your name.” Again, I nod. “I’m sad that you couldn’t tell me the truth, but I get it. That also makes the end game much more satisfying. Let’s take all of that fucker’s money.”

  Chapter Seven

  Braxton

  “Larissa Peters.” I whisper after the doors shut. I’d suspected that was her after seeing her at the gym. With her makeup on and hair done it’s difficult to see it, but fresh faced and make up free I fucking knew it was her. Plus, I’d never forget her voice.

  What really clenched it was the first time I sank my cock into her tight pussy. Where has she been the past six plus years? The last time I saw her was the night we let it be known that we played her. My buddies, guys I don’t even talk to anymore, had bet me that I could get her to fall in love with me and give me her virginity.

  I was an asshole and hurt her— then she just disappeared. What is she doing coming around now? It’s no secret that she knows my family owns this casino. She is clearly pretending not to know me, but why?

  In my office I walk toward the monitors and watch them. I spot Larissa as she practically runs out of the casino. I pull out my cellphone.

  “Yeah boss.”

  “The blonde that was just up here took off through the casino. She’s heading toward the parking garage. I want you to follow her. Report back with her address.” I don’t even wait for his response. Blake is loyal to me and he’ll find her.

  My phone rings and when I see the display, I roll my eyes. “Yes?”

  “Is that anyway to speak to me? No fucking respect.”

  I rub my eye as it starts to twitch, which is a common occurrence when I’m dealing with my father. We have a love/hate relationship and lately it’s been more hate. He’s a lying, conniving piece of shit and he’s been riding my ass for the past year about handing over the reins to me for good.

  “What can I do for you, I’m busy.”

  Dad sighs, “Busy what? Fucking the whores that you pick up? The blonde tonight looked familiar maybe I’ve fucked her too.”

  I curl my hand into a fist. What I wouldn’t give to choke the shit out of him. Larissa hated my father— therefore he’d only be lucky enough to fuck her. “Yeah I doubt it. She’s new in town.”

  “So territorial. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you had a thing for this one.” I hear rustling around. “Remember to wrap it up I helped you dodge a bullet when you were eighteen, I don’t need to do it again.”

  “What the fuck are you talking about? What bullet did you help me dodge?” My eye twitches, and why do I fear what he’s about to tell me.

  “That girl you tricked into sleeping with you. Fuck, I don’t remember her name. She was chubby and poor. It was pretty fucking funny watching her follow you around like a lost puppy. Anyway she showed up one day and said she was pregnant. I told her to get rid of it and don’t ever come back or I’d have her found an unfit parent and I’d take the child and put it up for adoption. She never came back around— she probably aborted it. You’re welcome.”

  I’m speechless— I don’t know what to fucking say. I need to speak to Larissa. “I have to go.” I disconnect the call and press the down button.

  I send Blake a quick text.

  Braxton: Any luck? He’s probably driving.

  While I wait to hear back from Blake, I have Hunter go get the car and meet me out front. A fire swirls in my belly and I want answers from her. As I step outside I look at my phone and see a text.

  Blake: I’m sitting in front of her house. She didn’t see me. What do you want me to do?

  That’s the million-dollar question.

  Braxton: Text me her address. I’m on my way. Then you can head back to the casino.

  Blake does what I say and when Hunter pulls up I climb inside. The whole drive there I have no clue what I’m going to say. There seems to be this web of lies surrounding her.

  Thirty minutes later we pull down a residential street and we pull up in front of a Spanish style home. I get out of the car and bend down to speak to Hunter. “I’ll text you when I’m ready for you to come and get me.”

  “You’ve got it boss.”

  As soon as he pulls away I turn to stare at the house. I stick my phone in my jacket pocket and walk up to the front door. I knock, waiting for someone to answer. The front porch light comes on and a blonde woman answers the door. “Where is she?”

  I push past her and freeze. Larissa is sitting on the sofa with a little girl’s head in her lap. She freezes when she sees me, except to wrap an arm around the little girl. “She’s mine?” I look down at the sleeping child.

  Larissa closes her eyes and nods, slowly. “Y-Yes. Her name is Emilie.”

  “Did you do it on purpose?”

  I don’t miss the fire in her eyes. “God, no. I was eighteen. I had no business having a baby. That doesn’t mean that I didn’t work my ass off to take care of her.” She looks at the blonde. “Can you take Emilie upstairs?”

  “Are you sure you want to be alone with him?” I can feel her eyes on me, but I keep my eyes on Larissa or Lara.

  She nods and then stands up with our daughter in her arms before she transfers Emilie to the blonde’s arms. The child is so tired she doesn’t even move. Larissa sweeps her dark hair out of her face and kisses the little girl.

  Once they disappear I step toward Larissa. “Why the lie? Why is this all different?” I signal to her whole body.

  “How did you know it was me?”

  She backs away from me, but I keep advancing on her. “That day at the gym I knew I recognized you, but I couldn’t remember where I knew you from. The first time I sank inside that hot pussy of yours I knew exactly who you were.”

  “W-Why didn’t you say anything?”

  I shrug, “I wanted to see where this was all going. Tell me what you’re up to.” I’m not asking her, I’m telling her.

  “I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”

  I cage her in against the wall. “Don’t fucking lie to me. I know you just didn’t show up out of the blue— you knew who I was.”

  “Yes, I knew who you were, but I wasn’t playing any games.”

  I take a deep breath. “My father told me what he told you when you were pregnant. Is that why you stayed away?”
<
br />   She shakes her head and then nods it. “You threw me away why would I want you around my baby. Yes, I wanted you to know because it was the right thing to do, but honestly, I figured you would’ve reacted the same way your father did. My daughter wasn’t going to know that kind of rejection.” Larissa places her hands on my chest and pushes. “Now back up.”

  “I want to meet her.” I’ve never in my life wanted to have children but knowing that upstairs my daughter sleeps I want to meet her, to know her.

  She doesn’t say anything at first. Then she shakes her head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. When you walk away from her I don’t want her confused about why.”

  “Who says I’m going to walk away?”

  “Listen I know you, and the type of man you are. My daughter is not going to be a pawn in any mindfuck game you want to play with her or me. I played that game remember and I fucking lost.”

  I lean down and hold her eyes. “Oh baby you don’t have any idea about the type of man I am.” I lower my voice, “but you’ll find out soon enough.”

  I’ll let her stew on that as I turn around and walk right out of her house. I text Hunter to come back and get me. He wasn’t far because he pulls up a few minutes later, and I climb in the car. “Hunter, I want you to find everything you can on Larissa Renee Peters and her daughter Emilie.”

  “Yes sir.” We pull away and I need to come up with a plan.

  Chapter Eight

  Lara/Larissa

  It’s been two days since I’ve seen Braxton and I’m on edge. Is he staying silent because he’s planning something? A part of me keeps waiting for a lawyer or policeman to show up and try to take my daughter.

  I’ve wanted to keep her home from school, but I don’t need her being anxious like me. Instead I wait until she’s at school before I get high, hoping it calms me down.

  Asia calls my name and asks me to come downstairs. I get up from my bed and walk downstairs. I find her, Holly, and Amber sitting in the living room. “Oh God is this an intervention?” I joke as I sit down next to Holly.