Call My Bluff

by Elizabeth Knox

  “No, fuck you Kaja! What the fuck kind of shit are you into! Look at your fucking car!” She screeched, panic and fear plastered on her face and in her tone.

  I turned to look at the car that we both just exited, it was littered in bullet holes, the glass was all busted out except the windshield, head light busted, paint all scratched up. I was used to this. I had been around gunfire most of my life but it was evident that she was not.

  “Sabina, it’s over now.” I tried again to calm her.

  “Is it? Is that what you know? Tell me who that was? Can you tell me if they followed you here?” She glared at me waiting for a response. I knew that they hadn’t but I couldn’t be one hundred percent sure that they wouldn’t get here eventually.

  “No, this I didn’t sign up for, I gave my life away so I wouldn’t have to worry about bullets flying by my head. I don’t want this. I’d rather go back to Felix.” She yelled at me and turned to run up the stairs and into the main house.

  I sucked in a deep breath; I wasn’t in the business of coddling. I should have let her leave but with every second that past I felt like more and more of a failure. I had brought her here so that she would be repaid for looking out for me but at every turn, it has been worse than where she came from. I set out to make her life better and had done nothing but put her in danger.

  I walked in the house after getting a grip on my anger. I expected to see her in the main room, crying or even having a drink but she wasn’t there. It wasn’t until I heard things bumping around upstairs that I realized that she was in her room. I walked in to see her ripping the dress I had given her off.

  “Sabina, what the fuck are you doing? I would have helped you.”

  “No! I am tired of your type of help. I just want to handle my debt and be free of this whole entire life. I am not built for this.” She yelled at me and dropped down to the floor on her haunches.

  This woman, who looked me right in the face and tipped my hat, the same one who took on a sentence just to make sure that her brother didn’t have to worry about a debt, the one who would curse me out on the drop of a dime even though most thought that my gaze would melt them alive was breaking right in front of me. It wasn’t what I wanted for her and I was surprised to admit to myself that it wasn’t what I wanted for myself. I was drawn to this dark-haired minx in a way that I couldn’t explain. Loyalty and respect where paramount in my world and it was so hard to find a companion who possessed both those traits. I couldn’t let her break.

  “God damn it woman,” I fell down in front of her and grabbed at her shoulder, her body still shaking from the adrenaline of running away from gunfire. “Look at me!”

  She closed her eyes tight, causing a cascade of fresh tears to trail down her face.

  “Predivan . . . look at me.” I tried to soften my words. It angered me more than I wanted to admit that she was hurting.

  She sniffled a bit and blinked her eyes open, pinning me where I sat in that painful gaze. “Sabina, I am here. I am not going to let anything happen to you. It’s over now.”

  “Oh Kaja, that is now. Today, what about tomorrow? What about the next time we go out? Will someone try to get in the house?”

  I could see her panic begin to ramp back up.

  “Hush! No one is coming in here. No one will come for you, I can swear that to you. I don’t know who it was that was shooting at us but I will find out and in short order. You are safe now.”

  She let out a sigh and looked down at her hands, “Kaja, I want to go back to Felix. I don’t know what kind of game you are playing at having me here but the stakes are too high for me. I fold.”

  I let her go and stood up. I was pissed, except I couldn’t tell if I was pissed because she didn’t believe that I was able to protect her or because she was actually going to leave.

  I turned to the door, but before I left there was one thing that I wanted.

  “Sabina, you owe me a song.”

  She looked up at me, “Are you kidding? You want me to sing now? After everything that has happened?”

  “Yes, you gave your word.”

  She smiled lightly and stood up, letting the shredded dress fall down to her feet before she stepped out of it. “As you wish.”

  She stood in front of me, in the finest silk lingerie, hair tussled and hanging long down her back, and expensive fuck me heels but the second she opened her mouth and let that first note free, she was my angel. If someone told me she sprouted wings and a halo at that very second, I would have believed them. I closed my eyes and just basked in the very beauty that was her voice. It was singular and unforgettable.

  After about two minutes, I could hear that she was about finished with the song. Before I could stop myself, I rushed her and cradling her head in my hands I kissed her, tenderly, there was lust there sure but more than that there was cherishment. I wanted to cherish this little tigress. Unfortunately, I would never get the chance.

  “Kaja.” She let my name float in the wind as I released her mouth from mine.

  I turned abruptly, “I’ll bring your stuff so you can go.” I walked out of the room before she could say another word.

  I dropped her clothing off on the doorknob of her room. I had shit to do but every time I tried to focus on either finding out who was brave enough to come after me, my thoughts trailed to her. I heard the shower coming on and I waited for a hum or note to come from her while she washed but there was nothing but the splashing of water.

  Someone with her traits, with her strength, and with that voice deserved more than to just be working off a debt. She deserved the world. I could give it to her, but nothing in this world came for free. Even I knew that, I didn’t want to just give it to her I wanted to share it with her. I didn’t mind bedding women, or even entertaining them when I had to but I never once wanted to share anything with one. She was what I had been searching for without even knowing that I was looking.

  I heard her walk up behind me, I looked down at the cards that she had been playing with on the table. I could just ask her to stay but that wasn’t my style, not in the least. No, this was the way. If it was meant to be then it was meant to be.

  “Can I interest you in one final game before you leave?” I picked up the cards and stood up to look at her, keeping my face as clear as I could. I didn’t want her to see that I wanted this more than anything.

  I watched her bite her lip, the girl was a gambler, and from what I did see she was pretty good. “Depends, what’s the wager?’

  I placed the cards on the table and sat in one of the chairs facing her. “One hand. If I win, you stay here with me. For as long as we want to stay together.” I kept my voice even.

  “And if I win?” She asked arching a brow at me, but already moving toward the table to take a seat.

  “If you win, you can have whatever you want. Winner’s choice.”

  “I like that kind of game, ok, deal me in.”

  I made quick work of shuffling the cards and dealing.

  Her face was stone, I wanted to know what she had but there was not one crack in her expression. It was driving me insane.

  I flipped over the river; it was the moment of truth.

  Chapter Nine

  Sabina

  My palms were sweating as he dealt the cards. I had been playing poker all of my life and for some reason it felt like this one hand meant more to me than anything. I thought it was because I was going to be able to ask to go home and maybe get him to tell Felix that I was a good little guest. The last thing that I wanted was to go back and be in trouble. Or even worse, get my brother in trouble. We were so close to being out of all this mess.

  But the longer we sat there I realized that I wasn’t upset because I thought that I might lose but that I might win. It was that kiss. That kiss rocked me to my very core. It wasn’t sloppy or rushed like most of the men that I had encountered, it was warm and precious. Completely different from anything that I expected to feel from the cold man sitting acr
oss from me.

  Now the thought of going back to Felix and being loaned out or beat on made my stomach turn. Kaja had shown me so much in such a short time and I wanted to know more. I wanted to feel that strength that he was so sure that I had. I wanted to be on his arm when he walked in and stopped a room. That power, that respect, that man. I wanted it more than living out the rest of my time with Felix. I would figure out how to get my brother out, I wouldn’t forget him but I could explore this too.

  I watched as the turn hit the board. A king of diamonds.

  Three of a kind.

  I already had three of a kind, the odds of me winning especially with a high face card went up. I knew to keep my face stiff, my breathing even, my hands steady. I had to be stone. On the inside though, I was already celebrating. I waited for the river.

  King of spades. Four of a kind.

  I looked up at him and he didn’t even bother to turn over his hand. He simply pushed his cards in. Folded.

  I turned over my two pocket kings, with the two kings on the board. I won.

  I smiled brightly and looked at him, waiting for my praise. It was only right.

  “Congratulations. You played a good hand.”

  I stood from my seat, and let my hands fall to my sides. “You know what they say about lady luck.” I brushed off the compliment.

  He stood from his seat and pushed his hands into his pockets.

  “Well I hold true to my word. You won so winner’s choice. Speak your price and it’s yours.” he glared at me, no doubt waiting for me to tell him to bring me back to Felix.

  I walked over to where he was standing, slowly but purposefully. I was focused, he moved back a step as I made my way into his personal space.

  “Kaja,” I whispered, my voice sultry and thick. I hoped I was making the right decision but either way I was going to see it through.

  “Yes?” He asked, his brows furrowing slightly.

  The confusion transforming to complete shock as I slowly dropped to my knees in front of him. “For my winnings, I choose you. I want to feel you deep inside of me. I’m begging, please.” The words foreign on my tongue but they felt right.

  The steel color of his eyes seemed to get darker as he stared at me, I could see the want. I could feel the tension radiating off of him but he made no movement toward me.

  “You will stay with me?” He asked, the emotion and strain clear in his voice.

  “Yes, I want to stay with you.”

  In a snap he reached down grabbing the back of my neck and helping me to my feet. “Never again, you will never again be at another man’s feet. Always by my side. No matter what. You understand?” he pulled me hard against his taut body.

  “Yes.” I answered on a breathy whisper.

  He smashed his lips to mine as the boughs broke and the passion he was keeping pent up inside rushed through. He cradled the back of my head and wrapped one strong arm around my waist, squeezing me tightly against him. I let my hands run free over his clothed body and fought to get some room between us to open the buttons on his perfectly pressed button-down shirt.

  He let go of me for only a second and ripped his own shirt off. I giggled, before I attacked his mouth again. He picked me up and wrapped my legs around his narrow waist. His large hands squeezing at my hips and thighs. We made our way to his bedroom, I looked around for the briefest of seconds. I had never been in his room.

  I dropped my head back to his neck where I bit and sucked at his skin, he groaned and stilled for a minute.

  “Fuck woman. I like that shit.”

  I lapped at the skin and sucked some more. When I raised my head the hickey that I left on his fair skin was dark and raised.

  He placed me on the bed and continued to take off his shirt and pants. I got up on my knees and made a show of taking the shirt and pants I had put back on off. His mouth was on my nipples before I could get my shirt all the way off. My abdomen clenched in pleasure and I pushed my hands into his hair keeping him in place.

  “Kaja, yes. Just like that.” I moaned out as he continued to suckle and kiss at my tender mounds.

  He ran his rough hands softly over my sides, caressing each one of my ribs, before he reached down and cupped my sex. My head fell backwards in pleasure. I was seconds and only a few more feathery touches away from release, and I knew he would give it to me. I didn’t know much about this man but I knew he would take care of me. Something deep within me on a primal level knew.

  “Kaja . . .” I moaned. I didn’t have to beg. He swiped the seat of the panties I had on, already soaking wet with the juices of my arousal, to the side and slipped two thick fingers inside of my pussy. My body bucked involuntarily and my canal clenched down on him hard. I was cumming. That quick.

  “Look at me. Now.” He orders and I have no choice but to comply. I raised my head and let my eyes find his. With one swirl and pump of his hand I was shattering into a million pieces and he was there watching me as I rode that wave.

  “Yes, so gorgeous.” He pulled his fingers out of me and laid me down on the bed as he reached over and pulled a condom from the night table.

  I stretched my already languid body out, I was already wrung out but I wanted so much more. I watched as he crawled over me, lifting my leg and kissing my calf on the way. Letting my leg rest on his shoulder as he pressed his shaft into my warm and ready folds. He sunk all the way in and my body held onto him tightly, my walls stretching and accepting his girth.

  He held my leg up tightly and started a slow rhythm. I got used to it, my hips moved to meet each and every one of his thrusts.

  “Kaja, it’s perfect, more please.” I reached up and let my hands caress his chest and rounded shoulders. My fingertips feeling the slightly raised skin of his tattoos.

  He wrapped his other hand around my hip and picked up the pace. I mewled and scratched but it seemed like no matter what I asked him for he was there ready to deliver.

  “Kaja, gimmie.” I said looking him straight in the eyes. Both of my legs were on his shoulders now and he was pressed fully on top of me.

  “What? Tell me what you want.” He spoke as he bit at my lips.

  “You, I want you.”

  He closed his eyes and growled deep in his chest.

  “No, I want to see you. Show me.” I caressed his face and waited as his eyes opened and found me.

  “Sabina.” He muttered before the sweet agony of his impending release overtook his gorgeous features. He pumped into me harder and faster, his body now racing toward the finish line. “Oh.” He groaned and pulled me as close as he could get me, plunging deep inside me and letting his orgasm rush through his body.

  He took in big heaping breaths of air as his body returned back to its relaxed state.

  He pulled out of me and rolled to the side while I laid there knowing I made the right decision.

  We spent the rest of the night talking of all things. He was still tight lipped about a few subjects but I saw that he was opening up to me as much as he could.

  I told him about my family and about how all of us were gamblers, how my brother made a bad bet and now he owed Felix. There was no way that I was going to let my brother take a five-year bid on his own if I could help him. It was just how I was made.

  “Do you even get to speak with your brother? How do you even know that he is still alive?” Kaja asked the tough question.

  “I do, I speak to him once a month. Felix has him downtown, he is a male stripper in a gay bar.”

  Kaja turned to look at me, “Is your brother gay?”

  “No.” I answered looking away.

  “Is he fucking clients?” Kaja asked.

  I shrugged, “You see why I couldn’t leave him to fend for five years by himself. I got a shit deal but his must be a whole hell of a lot worse.”

  “Fuck, I couldn’t do it.” Kaja shook his head and laid back down.

  “You ever do that to someone?” I asked trying to dip my toe into uncharted territories.
>
  “Fuck a man?” he turned back over to look at me.

  “Well no, make someone fuck a man who wasn’t gay? Rape? Stuff like that?”

  “I am a product of rape, I am not with that shit at all. So, no. But don’t let that fool you, there are way more sadistic things that can be done to people who welch on a deal or cross the family.”

  “The family?”

  “Yes, my family. Our leader is Marko Juric. He runs most everything over in Croatia but he is here now in the States. Where he is is where we are.”

  He put his head back down, that was the end of that.

  “Is that why people were shooting at us today?” I felt him stiffen.

  “I don’t know, but I do need to find out.” he raised slowly off the bed. “I have to go downstairs to the car. I recorded the car with my back up camera, maybe I can find out some information that way.” He swatted me playfully on the thigh, “Aren’t you supposed to make me a sandwich or something?” And as if to solidify his request his stomach growled audibly.

  “Jeez, and here I thought I was just going to get whatever I want.” I laughed and sat up wrapping the sheet around my chest. “You go get what you need from the car and I’ll go down and make us some food and we will meet back here. Sound good?”

  “Yeah, I’ll be back in a second.”

  We both walked out of the room and downstairs, he walked toward the garage and me toward the kitchen.

  I pulled out a few things to make a cold sandwich and laid it all out on the table. I filled two plates up high and began to make my way back toward the room. On the way there, the cards on the main table caught my eye. We had left a mess.

  I put the plates down and looked at the board. It was lucky for me to pull four kings out of the hat. I picked up my cards again just to look at them. I walked around to the other side and picked up his cards, he had the ace of spades and the jack of spades.

  Wait a minute.

  I looked back down at the table, the cards still there.

  Four of clubs, queen of spades, ten of spades, king of diamonds, and king of spades.