Chapter 54

In the ONE AND ONLY COUNTRY CLUB CASINO - NIGHT.

Smoke-kissed crimson haze bleeds through smoky glass, painting the plush velvet of the One And Only in bloodshot hues. Chandeliers rain down fractured light, catching on the oiled backs of high rollers hunched over emerald felt. Kage in a rumpled polo shirt amidst tuxedoed sharks, weaves through the throng.

He spots his prey – Dimitrios, in a silverback draped in arrogance and diamonds, presiding over a mountain of chips like a king on a throne of ivory. Kage saunters over, a feral grin playing on his lips. No need for peacocking feathers here, just steely eyes.

Kage saunters over and asked"Mind if I Join you?"

No one speaks.But Kage is dealt in as he sits and notices that Dimitrios uses his Aston Martin key,fog to protect his cards. The other players similarly used chips and lucky coins to protect theirs.

He slides a brick of chips onto the table with a metallic thunk.

Dimitrios, a lion surveying a gazelle, lets out a snort. The other players hold their breath, the air thick with anticipation. The dealer, a man with nerves of steel and a poker face carved from marble, cracks the cards.

Kage's eyes sharpen. His hole cards, two kings, glint like twin blades in the dim light. Dimitrios makes a show of force, bets and said"Five hundred"

A five-hundred-dollar bet that hangs heavy in the silence. Kage feigns disappointment, a flicker of regret across his face before he tosses his hand into the fold, a predator letting his prey bask in the illusion of dominance.

Dimitrios's triumph is short-lived. Hand after hand, the tide turns. Kage wins with quiet efficiency, chipping away at Dimitrios's mountain until it crumbles. Frustration bleeds into rage. Dimitrios's eyes, once predatory, become venomous.

Kage smiles, a wolf enjoying the cornered stag's panic.

The third player questioned"Road construction. Yourself?"

Kage smiled and answered"Import-export, What about you,Mr. Dimitrios?"

Dimitrios ignores him, slamming a stack of chips down and said"Deal."

Just as the cards are dealt, a vision drifts into Kage's view.It was Solange, who was wearing a fiery, vibrant red Jenny Packham lace-up gown.

The dress features a daring lace-up back that adds a touch of sensuality and intrigue. The back dips low, showcasing beautiful bare skin, while the delicate straps crisscross in a captivating pattern. There's also a subtle high-low hem.

Solange noticed Kage and gave him a sly smirk and a flirty wink, slides next to Dimitrios.

Dimitrios, blinded by fury and desire, throws away his chips like confetti.But he decided to take his annoyance out on Solange saying"If you came here for luck, you're two hours late."

Solange rolls her eyes, the charade a mere amusement.But with a subtle glance and a mouthed "Outside," she sends a lifeline to Kage, she walked towards the bar until then.

Kage smirked at her, while the game continued

The air cracks with anticipation as the dealer flips the final card - a king. All eyes dart to Dimitrios, clutching his meager pile of chips like a shipwreck survivor clinging to a raft. His face contorts with desperation.

He slams his palm against the felt, a snarl escaping his lips. "All in," he rasps, eyes blazing with defiance. "Twenty thousand." He throws a checkbook on the table, a desperate gamble to claw his way back from the brink.

The dealer, a man of ironclad rules, shakes his head regretfully. "Table stakes, sir," he says evenly. "No personal checks."

Dimitrios lunges for his key ring, a silver glint of defiance in the dim light. "This," he snarls, slamming the keys down. "This is on the table. It's worth at least what he has."

The dealer hesitates, the weight of the decision etched on his brow. But the rules remain unflinching. "I'm sorry, Mr. Dimitrios," he murmurs, pushing the keys back towards him.

Across the table, Kage watches the drama unfold with an unnerving calmness. He smiles, a wolf savoring the cornered stag's panic. With a nonchalant gesture, he pushes his own chips forward, a mountain dwarfing Dimitrios's meager offering.

"It's alright," he drawls, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Give him a chance to get even."

Dimitrios, fueled by a mix of desperation and grudging respect, grabs his key ring and throws it onto the table with a triumphant flourish. "Two pair, aces and kings," he announces, flipping his cards face up.

A collective gasp ripples through the room. Two kings indeed, staring back from the felt, but a third king lies on the board. Dimitrios is close, oh so close, to reclaiming his fortune.

But Kage remains unflappable. With a slow, almost theatrical flourish, he reveals his own hand. Two aces. And another ace on the board. Three aces to Dimitrios's two kings. The game, a fickle mistress, delivers its final, crushing blow.

Dimitrios slumps back in his chair, his bravado dissolving into disbelief. His face, once flushed with arrogance, is now ashen gray. He has gambled, and lost everything.

Kage discreetly claimed the Aston Martin keys, exchanging a subtle glance with Solange, who was immersed in her drink. A nod passed between them, and without a word, Solange left the venue. Kage, in silent accord, followed suit.