Unlucky

by Jana DeLeon

  He'd tossed in his cards early and spent the rest of the hand watching the drunken priest make fools of everyone else with his four of a kind. He didn't even try to contain his disbelief when the man turned over his cards because no one else did, either.

  The player on the far end clapped Father Thomas on the back and laughed. "I gotta hand it to you, Father," he said, "you've definitely made this God thing work for you. Maybe when I get back home I should attend a Mass or something. Think they'll let me in?"

  Father Thomas looked at the man, a serious expression on his usually jovial face. "The prodigal son returns. Always been a favorite story of mine. Until he's eaten by the giant fish." He looked up at Mallory as she served his scotch amid everyone else's coffee. "What about you, Mallory? Do you have a favorite Bible story?"

  Mallory thought for a moment, then shook her head. "Can't say that I do, but I'm sort of a fatalist. I like when the rider of death comes in Revelations." She gave them all a smile, then looked directly at Silas Hebert as she slid onto her stool. It was all Jake could do to hold in a smile. Here he'd worried that Mallory wouldn't be able to handle being so close to Silas, so close to the man who'd made her life into the mess it was, and she'd come up with both guns blazing.

  He'd never respected a woman more than he respected her at that moment. She was tough and feminine all at the same time. Hard and softhearted. Beautiful and intelligent. She was everything he never thought a woman would be and something he knew he'd never find again.

  He set his jaw and began to deal the next hand. He couldn't give Mallory the fairy-tale life she deserved, but by God, he could see that the man who ruined it was behind bars. It was the least he could do.

  When the morning break rolled around, Silas Hebert slipped from the casino and into the lobby, pressing in a number on his cell phone as he walked.

  "Silas," the man answered. "Where the hell are you? Don't tell me you're still playing."

  "Of course I'm still playing. I have a chance to take Reginald St. Claire for a hunk of money. I'm not letting it pass me by. We're already down one player this morning. That dealer is having a lucky run at the moment, but we both know that will change. He's not the player I am."

  "Are you telling me you're going to have to cough up more money to finish the day? Silas, that's a bad mistake."

  "Don't tell me how to run my business. What the hell difference does it make if I put up more money? It just means we leave with more laundered money passing through Reginald St. Claire's hands."

  "You're crossing lines we never agreed to cross," the man warned Silas. "You need to walk away from that tournament now. You needed to walk away from it sooner. All of this could have been handled the first day Jake Randoll came to town if you'd just let me do my job."

  "If an FBI agent turned up missing or dead, feds would have swarmed this place and the entire tournament would have been canceled. I couldn't risk Randoll disappearing before the last day."

  "Well, it's the last day now. Forget the laundering. That wasn't the point of all this anyway. The boat is already in position. I can have you out of there in a half hour. You're risking everything over a stupid card game."

  "You think I can't beat a Yankee FBI agent at cards? The day that's the case, I'll slit my own wrists."

  "It's not just him and you know it. The girl is helping him."

  "She's nothing but trash made by despicable people. She can't make a difference."

  There was a pause on the other end and finally the man spoke. "Is that what this is about? Personal business that should have died a long time ago? You take these chances for nothing. Randoll is no fool."

  "Then he'll be a dead smart man by the end of the day."

  "And what about the woman?"

  "I have plans for her." Silas flipped his phone shut. Oh, did he have plans for Mallory Devereaux. Mallory, who looked so much like her mother.

  He pulled an old, faded photo from his wallet and stared it.

  Beautiful, unfaithful Marie.

  Reginald St. Claire would go down for helping her escape him. He'd know what it was like to sit in a cell surrounded by four gray walls ... separated from the woman he loved, his entire life changing and unable to do anything about it ... he'd know with certainty that Silas was responsible for making it all happen

  And Mallory Devereaux would become one more dead whore-just like her mother.

  Jake placed his cards on the table with a smile. He'd tried to hold it in, but this hand had clinched it. Silas Hebert was out of chips. Even though they hadn't gotten a glimpse of every hand, Scooter's tips to Mallory had definitely given Jake's play that extra edge he needed to beat Silas.

  Now, Silas's only option to continue play was to put up more money, and Jake desperately hoped his ego would entice him to do exactly that.

  He looked across the table at the man and waved one hand at the empty table in front of him. "Mr. Hebert, you're out of chips. As this is the final day of play, you're allowed to purchase one round of chips worth ten thousand to stay in the tournament. Are you interested in making that purchase, or would you like to call it quits?"

  Silas stared at him for a couple of seconds, not saying a word, and Jake felt moisture begin to form on his brow. Buy the chips. Buy the chips. He found himself mentally chanting that mantra and wondering if the whole paranormal thing had finally rubbed off on him and he'd decided to try a mind bend.

  Finally, Silas reached into his jacket, pulled out a stack of bound bills and laid it on the table. "I'll take the ten thousand. You're not getting rid of me that easily." He stared directly at Jake, making sure both the words said and those implied were relayed in his gaze.

  "I never thought it would be easy," Jake replied as he lifted the stack of bills off the table and placed it on the shelf below. He counted out ten thousand in chips and pushed them across the table to Silas, barely able to contain his excitement. The bastard had gone for it! Now all Jake had to do was continue winning and everything was going to work out.

  Silas would go to prison. Mallory would get the money for Harry's business, and based on the dwindling number of players at the other tables, things were looking pretty good for Reginald St. Claire.

  As for himself, he'd head back to New Jersey alone - up one huge money laundering bust and down one partner. But when he considered the things Mark had hidden from him all these years, letting go of his old partner would be the easy part. Letting go of his new partner was something he still didn't want to think about.

  "Well, gentlemen," Jake said as he shuffled the decks and placed them in the shoe. "We have about an hour of play left before lunch. What do you say I take all your money and we call this a day."

  Silas stared at him and raised one eyebrow, issuing the silent challenge. The Mafia guy smirked and Father Thomas cleared his throat before saying, "This is the poker game that the Lord hath made."

  "Then I guess I better get to dealing." Jake placed the final group of cards into the shoe and pushed his ante into the center of the table. "Wouldn't want to disappoint the Lord."

  Mallory could barely contain her excitement as she removed the dirty glasses from the poker table and stacked them on the nearby tray. As soon as the door swung shut behind the last player, Jake grabbed the stack of bills he'd gained from Silas and waved it at Mallory.

  "I've got to run tests on this," he said, the excitement evident in his voice. "Reginald gave me an office on the second floor with a wall safe to secure the funds. I'll give you a call as soon as I know for sure."

  Mallory smiled and gave him a thumbs-up as he hurried away from the table. She glanced at the stacks of chips on the table and couldn't help the feeling of elation that passed over her. It was still too soon to celebrate, but damn, things were looking good.

  The Mafia guy and the banker had played out just before lunch, and both had declined the additional buy-in option. Father Thomas only had chips remaining for two more antes. Silas had played well but was already down five thousand
of the ten additional he'd put up. All Jake had to do was shut down the table before the ATF bust happened, and she would earn her money from Reginald.

  The ATF bust was still a bit of a worry-guys with guns tended to make Mallory a little nervous, especially when there was no deer or ducks around, but it wasn't like anyone had asked her opinion. And on the plus side, with the boat closing in on land at a rapid speed, there shouldn't be much lag time in between the bust and docking. The FBI had a team of men in Royal Flush waiting for the word from Jake to take their places at the dock, so that end of things was covered, too.

  Mallory glanced at the clock on the wall and hurried to the dining room. She needed to eat a sandwich or something before play resumed for the afternoon. She was also dying to check in with Amy, whose table had grown less and less crowded as the morning wore on. Then she still needed to check in with Reginald and Scooter. Make sure everything was all right on their end.

  She found Amy at their usual table in the restaurant. When she saw Mallory, a huge smile lit up her face. "I won!" she shouted before Mallory could even make it to the table, then jumped out of her chair and grabbed Mallory's hands, dancing her around in a circle. "I won, I won, I won!"

  Mallory smiled back at Amy and allowed herself to be twirled in a circle. "It's a good thing," she said when the twirling finally stopped. "Dancing with me probably just bought you an entire afternoon of bad luck."

  Amy waved one hand in dismissal and flopped back in her chair. "Who cares? I've had enough good happen today to hold me over for a long, long time." She leaned toward Mallory as she slid into the seat across from her and whispered, "After lunch, I'm going to Reginald's office to help Scooter give you guys tips. I cleared it with your uncle just before lunch."

  Mallory couldn't hold back a grin. Scooter had been doing a fabulous job so far, but with both him and Amy watching the cards, Mallory knew there was no way Jake could lose. "When this is over, I owe you huge."

  "I heard Silas bought in," Amy said, her voice low.

  "Yeah, Jake's testing the money now," Mallory whispered.

  "When this is over, we are both set for life," Amy said

  Mallory was just about to reply when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Knowing that no one she'd want to touch her would dare, she felt her pulse quicken as she turned around in her seat. She almost breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Walter Royal standing there. For the first time in her life, Royal wasn't dead last on her shit list.

  "Mr. Royal," she said, trying not to smile. After all, the fool had just ruined his afternoon of play by touching her. "How can I help you?"

  Royal puffed up his chest and looked down at her with a broad smile. "Well, I've been thinking about your situation, and I think I can help. You see, I've been needing a route person for the port-a-john plant for some time now. Someone who could manage a big truck and the heavy equipment it takes to lift the johns."

  Mallory stared at him in disbelief. "And you think I'd want the job?"

  "Well, now you've already met some of my store managers-couple of 'em said you were trying to pick them up in J.T's Bar last Friday night. I figured maybe pickins was slim in the construction business, and you might have an easier time finding a man if you were in port-a-johns."

  Mallory forced herself to keep from strangling the man. "I think I'll pass, if it's all the same. I'm sure something else will come up."

  Royal shook his head. "Hope it comes up fast. The tax note is going on sale next Thursday ... just thought you should know." He tipped his hat at her, nodded at Amy and walked away from the table.

  "Asshole," Amy said. "God, I can't wait to see the look on his face when you buy that note, Mallory."

  Mallory watched the smug owner saunter across the dining area like he owned the world. "Bet I wipe that smile off it."

  Chapter Eighteen

  Jake stared at the machine in front of him, trying to decide whether or not to kiss it. The money was fake! He had Silas Hebert right where he wanted him and finally the man was going to pay for all his transgressions. If only there were a worse place on earth than jail, he'd gladly recommend the man be sent there for all eternity.

  Eager to tell Mallory the good news, he pulled his cell phone out and dialed her number. She answered on the first ring.

  "Well?"

  "We've got him. It's all fake."

  There was a sharp intake of breath and Jake knew her mind was racing with the same emotions as his own, but more, since for Mallory, this entire situation had become very personal. "Oh, my God. I don't think I even know what to say."

  "Yeah. I know. It's like the end of a big nightmare."

  "Well, maybe not the end, but definitely a conclusion."

  Jake felt the breath tighten in his throat at the truth in her words. For Mallory, the nightmare was never ending. There would never be any justice to right the wrong that had been done to her, but he was going to do everything he could to make things as good as they could get. "Based on the way the play is going, I don't think Silas can hold."

  Mallory laughed. "I think you're right on that one, and I have even more good news on this end. Amy cleared her table out, so this afternoon she'll be helping Scooter with the calls."

  Jake felt his load lighten even more. "That's fantastic. Good for Amy. Things are looking good for Reginald too, then." Jake carefully removed the money from the machine with his gloved hands and placed it in a plastic bag. "I've got to run. I need to call my captain to ensure everything is in place when we dock."

  "Wait, Jake! Exactly what happens during the ATF takedown? That whole thing makes me very nervous. These are not your typical criminals."

  "Try not to worry. I think it will go fine. The ATF planned this very carefully, and Lord only knows how many of the staff on board are actually agents. Besides, the bad guys won't have weapons. We'll just pretend surprise like everyone else and keep an eye on Silas so he doesn't slip away."

  "You're probably right. I'll see you after lunch then," she said, and disconnected.

  Jake flipped his phone shut and walked over to the far wall of the room. He removed a picture of Mallory as a child from the wall and twirled the dial on the safe hidden behind it. The silence in the room made the click of the locking mechanism echo through the room. Smiling, he pulled the door open and placed the stack of bills inside, then shut the door and twirled the combination around and tested it. Satisfied that no one was getting at the money except him or Reginald St. Claire, he pulled the phone from his pocket and dialed his captain.

  The captain answered before the first ring was even complete, and Jake decided he must have been staring at the phone with one hand already on it. "Well?" the captain asked.

  "I got the exchange, and the money's fake," Jake said, unable to keep the excitement from his voice. "We've got him, Captain."

  The captain blew out a breath and Jake could feel his relief over the phone. "That's great news, Randoll, great news. Now, you just keep you head down and stay out of the way of the ATF. We'll handle the rest when you dock."

  "No problem. All I've got left to do is win a card game."

  "Why? You've got the exchange. What difference does winning make?"

  Jake stared at the picture that hid the wall safe and smiled. "All the difference in the world."

  Mallory held her breath as Father Thomas considered his bet. "All in," the priest finally said, and pushed his remaining chips into the pot. This was it. Surprising them all, Father Thomas was the last player remaining besides Silas, but apparently even God had his limits when it came to poker.

  Silas had already folded, so it was up to Jake to take the priest out. As much as Mallory loved Father Thomas, she prayed that Jake held the hand to remove the priest from the table. Then all his concentration could be on Silas. It was almost time for the afternoon break, and Silas had enough chips for at least two more antes, one more hand worth of chips if he stayed in.

  Unfortunately, there was no way they were going to get that hand
in before break time rolled around. Damn it. If the ATF made their move right after the break, technically Jake wouldn't win the table. Silas could still leave with his remaining money. Of course, he wouldn't get very far off the dock. Any cash he won would only be forwarded to an attorney, but he still wouldn't lose everything.

  Mallory knew if things turned out all right for Reginald, he'd gladly give her the money she needed. But she still wanted Jake to win. Silas to lose. Silas had his voodoo doll, but Jake had Amy and Scooter. Mallory figured that leveled the playing field nicely.

  Mallory looked back at the table as Jake pushed a matching bet into the center of the table. "Call," he said, and motioned to the priest.

  Father Thomas made the sign of the cross, then placed his hand on the table. It was a good one-three of a kind, but it wasn't as good as Jake's flush. The priest stared at the cards for a moment, then raised his head toward the heavens. "Cards, cards, why hath thou forsaken me?"

  Jake smiled. "Sir, you have a single rebuy option if you'd like to exercise it."

  Father Thomas shook his head. "I think I'll pass. You're a tad too good for me to risk another ten thousand on, but this has been the most fun I've had in years." He stretched his hand across the table and Jake shook it.

  "You played a great game, sir," Jake said. "It was my pleasure."

  Father Thomas beamed. "May the force be with you."

  Jake grinned. "And also with you."

  Jake pulled the chips across the table into his pile and had just placed the spent cards into the shoe when the announcement came for the afternoon break. Silas Hebert rose from his stool without speaking and left the casino. His frustration had been so clear all afternoon. The crook simply couldn't figure out how he was being beaten at his own game, and it was killing him.

  Jake looked over at Mallory and grinned. "It was not nice of you to caress your legs during the signal. I'm supposed to be concentrating on poker, remember?"