by Gina LaManna
I reached behind me and shifted his hand a few inches higher again. It had slid once more down the corset-style back, and I could feel the heat of his hand through the silky fabric.
“Like I said, I’m convincing.” Grey pulled me more snugly against his side. “Just keeping up appearances.”
“Yeah, yeah,” I grumbled. “You keep up appearances that well, and you’ll have discovered my gun. And nobody’s going there tonight if they want to live.”
He laughed softly against my cheek as he curled me in for a hug, a display of affection for the benefit of the bodyguards at the private entrance. “You know, you smell nice. Despite the vampire scent all over you.”
“You pulled out all the stops for tonight,” I remarked, changing the subject before things got too personal, too uncomfortable. “A carriage from the Golden District. A private back entrance to the casino. The dress.”
Grey gave a low chuckle, pulled me against his side. “I do what I can. Stay close, since you didn’t follow directions and leave your accessories at home.”
I felt my face heat as I thought of the exact location of my accessories and moved closer to Grey.
“Gentlemen,” he said to the two large orcs approaching us. They were ugly with scarred, mottled skin, most of it hidden behind fine suits. They wore large sunglasses despite the evening hour and low-brimmed hats. “Surely, you recognize me.”
The orcs stopped and, to my surprise, inclined their heads in a bow toward the wolf.
“Of course, Mr. Grey,” the larger orc said stiffly. “But your companion is new to us.”
“My girlfriend,” Grey corrected, “is trustworthy.”
The second orc had stepped dangerously close to me, his arms crossed over a thick chest. “Sir, we have a standard procedure for a reason.”
“Does standard procedure apply to me?” Grey asked as he stepped closer, a hint of affability as he withdrew a bag of coins from his pocket. “The lady is clear, I promise. It’d be a great disservice for you to assume otherwise.”
I lifted my chin, trying my best to appear haughty and offended by the mere prospect of a pat-down. I was fairly certain they couldn’t find the gun even if they tried, but I wasn’t willing to take the risk. Our cover would be entirely compromised, and Grey would be in trouble—or worse—if they realized he was in on it.
“Have your partner take a good long look at her,” Grey said, dropping the coins into the suit pocket of the first orc. “I think you’ll find the dress doesn’t leave much to the imagination. In fact, I selected it myself for that very reason.”
I felt my cheeks blush hot, but I couldn’t afford a retort, and I didn’t trust myself to speak. Instead, I jutted a hip out, feigning the confidence Grey projected.
“Harve, have a look,” the first orc said. “A good long look.”
I stood still as the second orc did a full circle around me, his eyes clinical as they studied every inch of the fabric, every curve of my body.
“That’ll be enough,” Grey murmured when the orc lingered.
“Excuse us,” the first orc said. “You’ll understand we must follow procedure.”
“Procedure’s over.”
“Very well, sir.” The first orc stepped to the side. “Have a wonderful evening, Mr. Grey.”
We swept past the two bodyguards and made our way through a dim hallway lit only by the flicker of torches. The carpet was thick, royal red, the walls papered in a regal, old-fashioned pattern. The air held remnants of expensive cigar smoke and bourbon. I could practically hear the ice cubes clinking in crystal glasses as men basked in the scents of wealth and privacy.
I cringed at my role in it all, but the cool touch of the gun against my thigh gave me a boost of confidence. I wasn’t helpless. I wasn’t here as a date. I was here to bring justice to the borough—whatever that meant. And if that meant I had to spend the evening on the arm of a handsome, mysterious wolf who smelled like expensive cologne and looked like money, so be it.
“What do you think?” Grey asked quietly as we moved through the hallway. “Seen this side of the casino before?”
“No, but I’m wondering why you have,” I said sharply. “It doesn’t exactly seem open to the public.”
“It’s not.”
I turned toward Grey, wondering not for the first time about his history, his likes and dislikes, his story. He clearly had money—an excess of it—though he didn’t flaunt it. His suit was casually expensive, his scent subtle, yet strong. He looked like walking sex, if a girl was into that sort of thing, and he oozed gentlemanly charm with an underlying current of commanding masculinity. There was a visceral appeal to the wolf, without a doubt.
“Here we are,” Grey said. “The next door on the right. You’ll have noticed this isn’t an average high stakes room.”
“How is one invited inside?”
“One is not merely invited,” Grey corrected. “It’s more than that. This is a way of life.”
“How did you get into this way of life?”
“Ah, ah, ah...” Grey cautioned. “I leave your personal life untouched. I think I deserve the same respect.”
“You do not stay out of my personal business.”
He grinned. “It was worth a shot.”
“I am curious about you.”
“I take that as the highest of compliments.” Grey’s smile flashed over me. “You don’t tend to bother yourself with uninteresting company.”
“Who are you, Grey? What are you?”
“I’m rich,” he said simply. “I’ve been around a long time.”
“That’s not what I meant,” I mumbled, but I was cut off mid-sentence because Grey swept me past another guard dressed similarly to the orcs, though this one gave off serious sorcerer vibes. And not the good kind.
“Ah, here we are,” Grey said as he swept me into a room more opulent than any I’d seen outside of Gilded Row. “Welcome to The Cavern.”
I blinked and stared. I’d never heard the term before, and I assumed it was understood that The Cavern wasn’t mentioned outside of these walls. Chandeliers likely centuries old lit the room with a sparkling glint. Glasses of champagne glittered with golden contents and tiny, exquisite trays were stacked with lush appetizers that appeared untouched.
The guests in the room were unrecognizable by face alone, though the wealth that permeated the air was nearly a scent. Expensive perfumes, rare furs, gems the size of my fist glinted from throats, wrists, and intricate hairstyles. Most men were flanked by women dressed in beautiful gowns, though a few gentlemen stood in a corner to one side without female partners, sucking on cigars that likely cost more than my yearly salary.
“You appear to be the center of attention,” Grey said softly. “It isn’t everyday a woman as beautiful as you graces The Cavern with her presence.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. They’re looking at you. I’m not flashy; I live in an apartment on top of a pizzeria.”
Grey’s mouth swooped down next to my ear, and it probably appeared to everyone else that he was whispering sweet, naughty nothings into my ear. “That’s exactly it,” he murmured. “Your beauty is raw, Detective. That’s...enticing.”
I swallowed, uncomfortable both by his close proximity and the meaning behind his words. “Grey—”
“Let’s take our seats,” he said briskly. “The game will start in minutes.”
As I glanced around the room, I caught glimmers of Residuals that were concerning. I nudged Grey and nodded discreetly toward the table. “I have a few concerns.”
I felt him straighten against me. “Like what?”
“I’ve never seen some of these... accessories,” I said, glancing at one peculiar man in the corner of the room. A swarm of gray and black Residuals clung to him like a toxic cloud. Evil hid behind them, though what exactly they meant, I could only imagine.
“That is concerning,” Grey finished lightly. He smartly didn’t go into detail while others were close enough to overhear. He shi
fted, then flicked his sleeve up, frowned at his watch. “Something’s wrong.”
“What do you mean?”
“The dealer should be setting up by now,” he said. “Something is terribly wrong.”
I leaned closer and studied his watch. “It’s only ten to eight. I thought the game didn’t start until eight.”
“The timing is very regimented. Doors lock at quarter to eight,” Grey said stiffly. “Dealer arrives, and we take our seats at ten to eight. First card is flipped at—”
“—eight on the dot,” I said. “I get it.”
I let my gaze sweep the room and, sure enough, mumblings seemed to have swept across the crowd like a tidal wave. Little things, tiny tics—a glimpse at a watch, the shifting of weight, a dark glance at the door. Something about this evening was most definitely not right.
At that very moment, a side door to the room opened and a tall, lean elf stepped through. He had hair as white as Grey’s fur coat and ears as pointed as I’d ever seen. My mind immediately thought Gilded Row, and Grey nodded, as if to confirm my unspoken theories.
“Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen,” the elf said. “We will begin the games ten minutes late tonight due to unforeseen safety circumstances. Apologies.”
The murmurings notched into a higher gear. “Safety circumstances?” I whispered to Grey. “You don’t think they realized I’m—”
Grey squeezed my arm so hard I flinched.
“No,” he said carefully, watching the rest of the crowd. “I don’t know what’s going on, but something is wrong. Something is very, very wrong.”
Chapter 14
“Gentlemen, it’s time.” A young, gorgeous woman of dubious species spoke smoothly as she entered through a side door of the room. “Places, please.”
I glanced at Grey curiously, but his eyes were fixed on the woman. I couldn’t blame him. She was stunning. Dressed in a white gown encrusted with gorgeous sparkles, she wore a silver bangle on her wrist that glinted underneath the torchlight. Her eyelashes were long, so long they brushed mid-cheek when she blinked, and were decorated with thick silver mascara. Her hair, waist length and black as ink, swished across her curvy figure.
“Good thing we’re not on a date,” I growled quietly, “or I’d be offended at your ogling.”
Grey gave a quick shake of his head. “No, it’s not that—she’s new.”
“New dealer. So what?”
“The old dealer has been here for two decades.” Grey gave a mystified blink, then turned his attention to me. “I’ve never seen her before.”
I shrugged. “Maybe they needed more staff. It happens.”
“The timing is coincidental, if that’s the case,” Grey said. “Something happened to the last dealer. Her name was—”
“Are you in, Mr. Grey?” The new dealer focused her gaze on Grey. She was unapologetic and spoke commandingly. “The game is beginning.”
A hush fell over the room. Grey reached into his pocket, a crooked smile on his lips. He withdrew a sack of something I assumed was gold coins until he tossed it on the table and perfectly shaped, absolutely clear diamonds spilled onto the green felt.
The rest of the eyes in the room briefly flicked toward the jewels before turning back to the dealer. The dealer surveyed the gems, then gave a satisfied nod.
“Very well,” she said. “Seats, all.”
I watched with interest as the men quietly filtered toward their places around the table. If I was correct in my assumption, there was some sort of tiered play structure—only six men sat at the table first. The rest—another ten—stood respectfully back and watched. The women all appeared to be here on dates as none of them were seated at the table. It was obviously a gentlemen’s club of sorts.
I had to admit, however, that I was intrigued. The stakes were high. The room was mysterious. Dark, expensive magic burned in the Residuals of some of these men. The women—exquisite, peculiar—had me wondering what they knew. The opulent setting, the commanding dealer, the bodyguards all suggested that age old secrets had been passed through this room. If only these walls could talk...
The game launched suddenly, a quiet, sophisticated thing unlike any I’d ever seen before. I didn’t make a point of attempting to understand the rules as dice rolled, cards flipped, and diamonds were shuffled between hands. Gold coins joined the mix, colorful sapphires, rubies, and pearls. Everyone had something to trade, though Grey seemed to be the wealthiest of all.
Women inhaled sharply and exhaled smiles almost on command, though I couldn’t decipher who was winning and who was losing. Then suddenly, the end came. It was abrupt and startling. All at once, five men simply stood up and backed away from the table. Everyone except for Grey. Their dates clung to them like a fine silk, as the players took turns shaking Grey’s hand one after another.
My eyes lingered on the pile of gems, rubies, and crystals before Grey. My mouth went dry—he could buy all of Wicked with what sat before him. Who is he? I wondered, not for the first time. And how had he amassed such wealth? It could hardly have all come from legal ventures. In fact, I wasn’t sure whether The Cavern itself was even legal—I’d never heard of it, and I doubted Chief Newton was on the invite list.
I tightened my lips, realizing I now had a secret I’d have to keep from my boss. It wasn’t as if I could expose The Cavern in our morning meetings—there’d be questions. Questions to which I didn’t have answers.
“Anything?” Grey murmured during the shifting players at the table.
I gave the slightest shake of my head, but the truth was I’d been too distracted to notice more than the basics. As a second group of five players took seats at the table, I made a point of focusing, scanning the room around me, studying every inch of magical residue in the air.
“Did you just win?” I asked, leaning close and brushing my lips against Grey’s ear. To anyone else, it appeared seductive. “That is a crapload of diamonds you have, and this girl’s wondering where you found them.”
“Here and there,” Grey said, his fingers playing nonchalantly with a hefty ruby. “Impressed?”
“Not even a little.”
“At least you’re dating a winner,” Grey said with a playful wink.
“Yeah, yeah, bite me.”
He laughed softly which earned him a ferocious stare from the dealer. Before I could come up with a more eloquent response, the long-lashed woman had launched into another round of dealing, rolling, flipping, and scattering of royalties. Another round went straight to Grey.
His pile grew, the players stood, shook hands with him, and then scattered, making way for another combination of five men to slink into the seats at the table. But this time, instead of sitting down, the men merely deposited their coins on the table and remained standing.
“You’re unstoppable,” I murmured. “Are you sure you’re not the problem? You could run this casino dry.”
Grey flipped a sapphire over to the dealer as a tip. She deftly caught and pocketed it with such speed I wondered if it was legal, or if it was an underhanded sort of exchange because nobody else seemed to acknowledge it.
“Break for dinner,” Grey murmured, and on cue, a line of sharply dressed goblins strode in from the side door of the room carrying additional trays of small plates. I had to wonder if these were the same untouched foods as before, but judging by the amount of money in this room, these people didn’t do leftovers.
I pointed past trays of sparkling drinks toward the food. “Where’s the steak?”
Grey’s eyebrow inched to new heights. “I’m not sure you have room for steak in that dress.”
I scowled at him, then reached for a plate and gestured one of the servers over. I unloaded most of his tray, and with a huff, turned back to the table and ignored Grey’s quiet laugh.
“You promised me dinner,” I said. “So, I came hungry. This is your fault.”
Grey leaned nearer to me, his voice a caress in the soft, dim room. “The third round.”
I rolled my eyes and washed down a mouthful with champagne. “What are you talking about?” Grey reached for a small piece of toast laden with something resembling caviar, selected it carefully, and extended his arm as if seductively trying to feed me.
My eyes crossed as he held the crostini in front of me. “What the hell are you doing, Grey?”
“The third round,” he said in a hushed voice. “It’s when things go sour.”
I understood, giving him a nod. “I’ll keep an eye out.”
“Try,” he urged, offering the delicacy to me.
I was tempted to refuse, but it appeared all eyes were on us now, and we had to keep up appearances. I was supposedly infatuated with Grey, or at least not repulsed by him, so I parted my lips and let him slide the finger food onto my tongue.
I snapped my mouth down hard enough that my teeth clashed together, and Grey’s eyes warmed with amusement as he playfully shook his finger. “Almost took it right off.”
“Yeah, well, watch it,” I grumbled. “You know how I feel about dating.”
The dealer began quietly setting up for the next round as five other players took seats around Grey. I wondered if Grey had purposely been given the seat in the middle—he looked like the king of his castle, or maybe a dragon hoarding his treasure. The pile of rare gemstones before him seemed to breed and multiply before my eyes.
The game launched without warning, and the room was sucked back into the enticing swish and swirl of the dealer’s long, silvery nails. She’d never given a name, nor did anyone use one in reference to her, and I wondered where she’d come from. How she’d found The Cavern. What it meant to her.
I watched as her hands flew across the table. I broke my eye contact only to look at the other players—all of whom were watching the table and the results. Suddenly, a collective gasp went up around the room, and I turned to the table to see Grey push a semi large pile of gems toward the dealer. The silver-lashed girl gave a thin smile and collected the gems in a little golden bowl glimmering with protective Residuals.
Grey’s eyes flicked up, met mine, and I was drawn back to attention. I watched the woman’s hands as she quickly continued dealing as if nothing had happened. But something had happened. Grey had lost—big time. And it was clearly an upset, judging by the astounded faces around the room.
