Zade seemed to be a natural in this game, knowing when to place a card and stall just long enough.

I can’t believe he’s actually playing with all that smoke in his head. He didn’t sweat anything while the others did.

Elliot suddenly pushed to his feet, walking toward a corner where I could see the twins. He stood there having a conversation with them.

My attention was pulled back when the dealer pushed the chips toward Zade, causing a pile. Damn.

I don’t know much about this game, but it seems like Zade was on the winning side, and Mr. Shane here was doing his best to keep that smile plastered on his face.

Seems like someone’s ego got bruised.

I reached for the champagne beside me, letting it ease the dryness in my throat, and as I emptied the crystal glass, a server was quick to refill it. Definitely a lifesaver, because I can’t just sit here like a dumb bitch wondering what’s gonna happen next.

"If I remember correctly, you have a new land in your possession." Zade’s eyes were fixated on the cards.

"Yes..."

He smirked. "Then we’d better start talking."

The man chuckled.

That’s it, I’m out of here.

"Excuse me?" I pushed to my feet without bothering for approval.

I just walked out of there without looking back, but Elliot blocked me.

"I need to use the restroom... am I not allowed to do that?"

He looked behind me, and my best guess was that he made eye contact with Zade.

"This way."

I followed him as he led me out of the room.

"You don’t intend on escorting me all the way, do you? That’d be ungentlemanly of you."

He smiled, checking his Rolex. "No, but I can’t take my eyes off you."

"It’s just a restroom."

"Our outing tonight is under secrecy, so there isn’t much security around."

I scowled. "Why?"

All the reply I got was silence. It made me wonder, though, why Zade would come to a place like this without protection.

Elliot opened the door for me. "After you.."

"You’re not going in there with me. This is the ladies, have some respect." I rushed in about closing the door, but he stopped me.

"Ana..." he paused. "I’ll be right here. Need anything, you lemme know."

"I’m sure I can piss myself, I’ve been doing it since I was 3 years old." I slammed the door shut, using the locks before he had any ideas about coming in. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

I faced the broad bathroom, spotless and grand. Nice. I made quick steps to the mirror, setting my purse down as I checked my jaw.

Oh god. It’s bigger than the one he left on my neck. Just look at that red mark like an animal used my skin as a chew toy. Jesus!

Was this some kind of disgusting kink of his or something? I could only imagine the horror of everyone seeing this. What did they think? That I got fucked senseless?

I scoffed, quickly checking my purse for my concealer. Did I bring it along, though? Oh, please, I hope I did because I can’t go back out there looking like someone’s toy.

Found it!

I smiled, looking at the mirror, but my body locked up when I saw a man behind me. Before I could scream, his hand slapped against my mouth, and a bag was put over my head.

I struggled, but my legs were carried, and I was basically towed like a chicken.

I could only hear the sound of my laborious breathing in the dark, my head thrashing back and forth, but suddenly, I was forced down to sit on what felt like a chair.

A chair? What’s a chair doing in a restroom?

I recoiled when the bag was ripped off my head, the light too bright for my eyes, and when my vision cleared, I saw two men I had never seen before.

"W-Who the heck are you guys?"

They pointed their guns at me. Okay, maybe I shouldn’t have talked?

"Quick, tie her up!"

The other complied, using a rope to bind my hands to the back of the chair.

Hey, watch the nails!

"Don Salvero’s wife..."

I veered my eyes forward.

"I never thought I’d live to see the day I got my hands on a weakness of his."

Weakness?

"This will surely upgrade my pay grade."

"I-I think there’s been some kind of mistake."

"Mistake?"

"Y-Yes, I’m his wife, but I assure you I’m not a weakness."

He blinked.

"He probably won’t be worried that I have gone missing. But there’s one thing, though..."

The other stood beside him, and they shared a look.

"He might be slightly pissed that his investment has gone AWOL."

"Is this funny to you?"

"No?" I replied with a frown. "I’m just telling the truth. If you want a weakness, you should go after his secretary, Lisa Wade."

"Is she shitting with us or something?"

The other placed his hand on his colleague’s chest to stop him from coming close to me.

"Just ignore her. Everything has worked according to plan. We just need to wait for more orders from Shane."

Shane? Isn’t that the name of the same man playing poker with Zade?

"What if she’s right? What if she’s not important? I mean, you know the Serpent, that motherfucker is ruthless. Do you think he’s gonna respond to a woman?"

Finally! Someone with some brain cells.

They fixed me with a pointed stare, and I gave them a sweet smile, fluttering my eyelashes.

They were probably wondering why I wasn’t begging to be let go or something. I am, in fact, scared shitless, and I almost peed my panties when I got nabbed by them.

However, it seems to me they probably need me alive, or else they would’ve killed me. It was pretty clear from the start.

My eyes scanned the strange room. We’re supposed to be in the restroom. How did we get here?