Double Down (Take a Gamble)

by Stella Price

  "Maybe you will someday." she turned into him cuddling against him, the warmth of her body seeping through into his. "Everyone has to be tied down at some point; I despise the thought as much as the next guy but it’s inevitable, especially in our culture. Men are lucky, nobody forces such things onto you; you just get to roam and fuck. Sometimes I wish I had a penis."

  “I don’t,” he said, his words a bit slurry. “Then we wouldn’t be here and life would be a damn sight less tolerable if I didn’t know you.” He frowned. “You drugged me, didn’t you?”

  "Drugged is such a harsh term." she smiled up at him, soothingly patting his arm. "I’ve relaxed you and I’ve made sure you're going to be nice and relaxed until around midday tomorrow. You’ll miss the game but it’s for the best, I can’t be distracted now and that’s what you are, a wonderful sexy distraction."

  “Cheater. You’re going to get the strap to your ass for this one Lady Shade. You could have bargained with me, but you brought out the big guns. Game on lovely.” He shook his head and promptly passed out.

  Chapter 2

  Shade’s night after she’d left Caleb wrapped in a blanket had been uneventful at best and disappointing and depressing at worse. She’d taken care to tuck him up, unsure if Djinn even got cold but deciding not to take the risk. She’d given him enough of the drug to fell a large elephant and four of its friends. Most likely when he eventually did wake up it would be with the mother of all headaches. She didn’t want him freezing his balls off on top of that.

  Did she feel guilty? Of course. Would she do it again? In a heartbeat. While she wanted one last blow out of a party before returning home, sharing a boat with Caleb was just dangerous. Things were just better this way. She liked him and she’d bet the house on him liking her back. It was that type of mutual feelings that led to all sort of dangerous coupling and raunchy fun and she couldn’t go back on her word to her father. She didn’t agree with her sentence but had enough respect for the man to follow through on it.

  The card hall had slowly begun to fill up, players from all over the country taking their places and chips. She sat next to Caleb’s empty chair miserably flipping her blue chips over and over. It just wasn’t going to be the same without him here. This game was going to be dull, very dull. She yawned before taking a sip of her coffee. She might have abstained from the drug, but she’d still only had a few hours of solid sleep. It tended to elude her these days, much other important things racing through her mind.

  Three other players at her table sat and tipped their hats to her, two long shore cowboys and a woman that looked as old as Methuselah, complete with bingo visor.

  “This should be one hell of an easy win.”

  That deep voice she knew so well said in her ear.

  "Caleb." She jumped in surprise, her body reacting happily to his presence. "I thought you would have slept in, you were exhausted." And heavily drugged.

  “If that’s what you call that roofie cocktail you slipped me last night. Newsflash lovely, poisons and drugs rarely affect us long. All you succeeded in doing is making sure I’m determined to beat you, for no other reason than to spank that pert little ass of yours for your cheek.”

  She laughed even as moisture flooded her panties at his words. "Well then I'm glad you made it so I'd have the pleasure of your witty banter as well as taking all your money. But Honey," she placed a hand on his arm. "I keep saying no, take the hint, you’re not as good as you think you are."

  “Actions speak louder than words Demon… My powers are sexual in nature, you don’t think I know how badly you want me, How much you did last night?” He sat and looked her over. “I know how much I affect you sweetness… So let’s cut the shit shall we? I have a game to win.”

  "I..." she blinked. Boy was he pissed. Maybe drugging him wasn't' the best idea but she had to take the chance. Who the hell knew that Djinn had the constitution of a herd of elephants, and damn if his new attitude didn't turn her on more. "You’re still not beating me." she told him wearily facing the dealer.

  “No, I’m not going to beat you pet, I’m going to clean you the fuck out.”

  "Jeeze," she rolled her eyes at him. "No need to get all personal. What's a roofie between friends? It's not like I raped you. In fact, I took very good care of you, you probably got a better sleep than I did."

  “I think I would have enjoyed waking up knowing I was molested by that sexy mouth of yours like you so badly wanted to do last night. This is personal now pet. You have to pay for that little transgression.” He looked to the Dealer and nodded. “Deal.”

  The game preceded swiftly the dealer doing his job excellently. Shade kept her eyes on the cards storing the ones she’d seen not her order away. At least that was what she attempted to do. Caleb’s furious presence scorched her every move, always there taking up her attention. She'd missed a few of the cards just because she was watching him study his own. Add that onto the fact that she was bushed from no sleep and worrying and she wasn't in a good place. She missed her next hand losing her first of the day with a curse. "Could you turn down some of that heat cowboy? Some of us are trying to concentrate."

  Caleb scoffed and paid her no attention. They went through another four hands before the others were completely out of it, leaving him and her to shoot it out. Their table was the last to finish, and players were all gathered around them, watching intently. Some to see who was left in, others to see who their opponent would be in round three.

  “I’ll stay,” Caleb said and watched the dealer.

  Shit. Her cards weren’t the best, double eights, it gave her sixteen. What was worse was she had no clue what was coming. Damn Djinn and his sexy come hither vibe. "Double down." she said flipping them over splitting the last of her chips between the two. It was her best shot doubling her chances as the dealer assigned cards to each.

  The dealer hit her twice and then called. Caleb threw a perfect 21 and gave her a smug look.

  “Mr. Marshapoltes wins the hand.” The dealer commented. “But while he wins the table, Ms. Loganazzi, your points allow you to advance to the final round. We will see you both in two days time.”

  The dealer handed them both a black envelope affixed with the silver seal of the hotel.

  “Well that settles that. Shall we pet?” he said as he stood and tucked his envelope into his suit jacket.

  "The bar? Shame you didn't forfeit this morning but there’s still fun to be had today until tomorrow. I'm thinking strip club, you game?"

  “I’m thinking I won out little bet Shade.”

  "Nuh uh." she retorted in what admittedly was not her most eloquent of answers.

  He picked up his marker and pocketed it. “Uh huh. The bet is I would beat you, I did. No specifics on when or what round.” He gave her a triumphant smile. “So if you please, you have a date with a paddle.”

  "I do not, please... no I..." she shook her head as she thought things through. "Son of a bitch." He was right, their bet was for whoever won and he'd beaten her fair and square.

  “Oh come on now don’t get pouty, you wanted a tour of the boat as it is…” he said with a jovial tone.

  "I..." She swallowed hard, speechless, and not for the first time. For some reason, around him she just couldn’t find her words. "I do but it's… it’s not..." She stepped into him, kissing him hard and fierce, taking his face in both hands.

  The crowd around them whooped and shouted and Caleb laughed. “Now now…” he said and winked to the guy behind them. “We have plenty of time for that pet.”

  She waited for the distraction to run the feel of his lips still burning on hers. She ran. She couldn’t help it. It was one of the things about her, she ran from anything that threatened to tie her down whether that was two weeks of amazing sex or a lifelong marriage betrothal. She was flighty by nature and beating her on one table was so not what she had in mind when they’d made their wager. Besides, she couldn’t give herself over to him. Not now. Caleb, as hot and Djinn like he w
as, had no chance catching up to a shadow demon in full flight. There was a reason their crown prince had never been found after he decided AWOL was the best option. Once the Shadows decided to keep you hidden there was no finding you.

  She ghosted through the wall, finding Shadows to take her in, transporting her from one part of the hotel to another. A quick scout about in the foyer and it was all clear. She took the opportunity to run, turning to smack straight into a wall. At least it felt like a wall. Looking up, she soon wished it had been. Two Demon stood in front of her. The wall turned out to be a mountain of a shadow Demon named Darrek. The weasely man beside him was called Ferret, at least that was what Shade had always called him, he was a royal illusion Demon best known for his trickery.

  “Lady Shade,” Darrek smiled at her. “How good of you to join us. It saves us the trouble of hunting you out.”

  “And why exactly would I be inclined to do you that favor?”

  “Our employer wishes sorely to see you.”

  “Well he can go and fuck himself.” She smiled her eyes scanning the crowd looking for an escape.

  “I believe that’s why he wishes to see you… his wife.”

  She swallowed hard. “Not yet I ain’t bud. There’s still a month and I…”

  “He’s particularly interested to meet you. He’s heard so many wonderful stories and you have his full attention.” Ferret carried on cutting her off.

  “And that’s just what I need, attention.”

  “He’s very interested in watching you reenact some of your greatest tales and wishes you to know that he’s brought you the finest of stables for your stallion.”

  Shade’s stomach flopped, threatening to spill what little food she’d managed down. “That didn’t even happen, that sick fucking chill…”

  Darrek slapped her hard cutting her words off. “Mind your tongue whore.” He said as he caught her retaliating slap in a crushing fist. The people around them carried on as normal no doubt Ferret had them concealed in an illusion.

  “As I was saying,” Ferret continued as her arm was held still in the vice-like grip. “A stallion and maybe even a few hounds if it pleases his court.”

  “Seriously? He’ll have me on show fucking animals, what will the children think?”

  “Children?” Darrek frowned confused.

  “Well once we’re married it will be our duty. He can’t exactly sully his children’s good names just for a few cheap thrills now can he?” She argued twisting their thoughts as her heart sped. “You know you really should go back and reasonably smooth out his plans. I mean, if he’s going to have me all to himself then he’s going to have to come up with something more constructive than have me fucking something other than him.”

  “You’re coming with us.”

  “Boys,” she smiled soothingly. “I’m not leaving you.” Until she got her arm back that was.

  “Right on that one.” Ferret said as he held out a large metal slavers cuff.

  “That is not going anywhere near me.” She pulled away, a futile gesture with her arm in the meaty grasp.

  The slavers cuff was something banned in most demon societies, only the illusion demons still allowed them and at that they were still rare. They dated back to the times when demons sold each other into slavery, binding powers to make them more compliant.

  “There’s really no need.” She whimpered as the cool metal touched her skin feeling the Shadows dull away from her as it closed its clasp.

  “Now that’s better, as I was saying, you’re coming with us. We have a long journey to the next ley line.”

  “Road trip from hell.” She shuddered, the loss of her Shadows settling viscerally around her. “I’d rather not. How did you even find me?”

  Ferret gave her a toothy grin. “Let’s just say we keep an eye on any mention on you.”

  “Flattering.” She shook her head. “But I still don’t have to meet him for another month. You think my father would stand for this?”

  “Your father has little control over you.”

  “How dare you,” she accused, getting an idea, a stupid one, but then the caliber of the men she was dealing with were exactly up to Caleb’s intelligence. “Let me hear you say that to his face,” she waved behind them. “Daddy!”

  To her utter disbelief, they fell for it, both jerking around in fear. Feeling the fear of her own, she took off. Barreling past people and heading towards the one person who would have any benefit or need in helping her escape. Caleb.

  He wasn’t hard to find given that he was stalking about trying to find her but with two angrier Demons on her trail she couldn’t waste any time. She threw herself at him dragging him to a secluded part of the hall, wishing to the gods she still had a shadow or two she could wrap around herself.

  “Fooled you.” She panted slipping her cuffed arm behind her back. “I’m tired of hide and seek now,” she scanned for demons as she spoke. “Let’s go to the yacht and spank me.”

  “Yeah cuz I believe that you just came running back…” he said and pulled her close. “You’re scared as shit, and your heart is pumping like a sieve. What the fuck is going on?”

  She swallowed hard, leaning into him. Damn he felt good, but now wasn't the time to indulge. "Let’s just say we need to leave... like now."

  “Fair enough, but you will tell me once we are away from here…” he grinned and turned them down a side hallway and through the casino towards the valet. They reached it unfettered and he called for his car, which they broke the land speed record getting to him. Apparently Caleb was one hell of a tipper.

  The gold Maserati pulled up and the valet helped her in as Caleb tipped the two guys at the podium and slid into the driver’s seat. He gunned it towards the marina, putting miles between them and the hotel quickly.

  She sat in silence, actually surprised by how shook up she was. Her heart still threatened to break out of her chest and she was sure it was her shaking and not the cars suspension. Fun was one thing but Shade always got well out of dodge before things got that bad, and she'd never in all her life been teamed up on. Her face hurt from the mammoth slap it'd been dealt and she was sure she'd bitten her tongue. "I need a drink." she hugged herself. "I need a lot of drink. Thanks." she looked over at him. "In case I don’t say it later."

  He looked over to her and then frowned and shook his head. “Whatever. You wanna tell me why the fuck you look like a door hit you? As I recall you didn’t have a bruise blooming on your face when you left me, and you are not the type to walk into a door. Not when you can run like a fucking sprinter in those stilettos.”

  "I really don’t want to waste our time talking about it." She reached her uncuffed hand over to rest on his leg stroking up his thigh to his cock. "How fast do you think we can go with this at the back of my throat?" she petted him gently squeezing him through his pants.

  Caleb groaned and shook his head. “Woman you will not distract me. Imight be ready to go, but I am still pissed as hell with you.” He said and nodded to the cuff on her wrist. “That looks new too, and doesn’t feel right. Take it off.”

  "It's not new, it’s very old and if I could remove it I would." She took her hand back twirling the cuff, looking for a break in the metal. "I'm afraid I have no experience in slaver cuffs apart from one I saw in an Afterverse museum once. Let’s just say I'm hiding from some people back home and somehow, though fuck knows how, they found me. I haven’t touched my accounts for months and I've stayed out of the lines and negative Shadows. Tyrina probably said something stupid to someone but hell they were fast."

  Caleb frowned. Shit. This was probably his fault. “Um…” he said and then coughed. “I might have something to do with that. I checked the odds on you with Tyson.” He gave her a sheepish look as he rounded a corner like a bat outta hell. “How the hell was I supposed to know you are on the lamb?”

  She looked fit to murder him.

  "A demon miles outside of a lay line? Not suspicious enough to you?" she gr
owled. "Well this is pointless, they'll be looking for you too. And I'm not on the lamb, I'm having a brief sabbatical before returning home to fulfill my duties as a daughter." she growled very unhappily. "The old bastard got wise to my scheming and avoidance."

  “I feel like I just started reading a book at the last chapter. I think you need to explain everything from the beginning. But let’s get to that once we are water bound.” He drove down the lane towards a large sixty five foot yacht with the cargo bay open. They drove up to it and then into the cargo bay. The door started to close as they turned the engine off.

  Caleb hit a button at the wall and an intercom buzzed. “Lister? Emergency cast off if you please.”

  “Aye sir. Five minutes.”

  He turned to Shade and smiled. “So a drink? I swear there’s no roofies involved, and you can give me the whole sordid story, and we can figure this out, including how to get that fucker off your wrist.” He already had an idea but it would be tricky.

  "I could be doing with a few roofies." she smiled wearily. "In a way you did start at the last chapter. I did say in another time we would have been wonderful together. I'm getting married. My father needs allies more than he needs me and let’s face it, he doesn’t need me that much.

  “I've avoided it this long you know and I became pretty adept at steering away from it but he got wise. Actually his latest wife's gotten wise to it. This," she raised her hand shaking the cuff with a sneer. "Is a present from my husband to be, isn’t it sweet? He's a fucking child. Barely twenty apparently with an animal fetish, and it never happened before you say anything. Not to mention the fact he's already littered the world with bastards and he's rarely away from his mother’s side. Controlling bitch.

  “It hurts. I mean I'm hardly discreet but I’d think to rate better than that. I can work with him though, not the direction I was hoping for but a life at court isn’t a death sentence."

  “That sounds unpleasant all around.” He said as he took her hand and led her up the stairs to the living quarters. They walked into the main living room and he went to the bar and pulled out two glasses. “Jesus Christ this isn’t the dark ages. Women aren’t cattle anymore.” He pulled out a bottle of Johnny Walker Black and poured two glasses. “Darlin you are boned. Hard.”