“Do I dare to ask how you two met?” She tapped a finger on his chest.
“Ah… let’s say he wasn’t that popular at the time,” Xan said vaguely and her curiosity ratcheted.
They were just a pair of gaunt boys trying to learn the rules of the street and survive, he thought, but who would have believed them now? People always saw what they wanted to see, what suited them most at any given moment.
Was the woman next to him any different? Xan wondered.
Would she look twice at a hungry kid on the street or did her charity not reach quite that far?
“I think he spotted us,” Catalina said, pulling back his attention from the wrenching memories of his early age.
“He sure did,” Xan murmured and shook the other man’s hand when he approached, but the guy just laughed, hugging Xan and slapping him on the back.
“About time you came down to see me, my man.”
“As if you don’t know where to find me,” Xan replied. “Catalina, this is Tristan.” He placed his hand on the small of her back.
“I am pleased to meet you.” She smiled and offered him her hand but instead of shaking it as she expected him to do, he changed the grip and kissed her knuckles.
“The pleasure is all mine; now please come join me at my table,” he invited and her smile widened.
“I would be happy to, but I am just watching and learning today.”
“Smart and beautiful, it’s incomprehensible you are wasting your time on him.” He pointed at Xan and Cat laughed.
“I forgot to warn you about Mister Sleek here, Catalina,” Xan smirked and Tristan laughed.
They were nothing alike, Cat decided, but the bond between them was pretty obvious, at least to her because she had spent her entire life watching people interact. They behaved like friends who felt at ease with each other, without any need to impress one another.
Tristan was nearly as tall as Xan and athletically built as well, although he was more lean than muscled. He seemed as well-mannered as every other male she came across throughout her life, but there was something predatory in his blue eyes.
His clothes were undoubtedly tailor-made and the Rolex on his wrist was one of the latest models, but he had the same rough-around-the-edges demeanor as Xan, even if better hidden under the veneer of civilization.
“Tristan, where did you disappear to?” A woman’s voice purred, interrupting Cat’s musings.
“My apologies babe, why don’t you show Catalina the powder room, hmm?” He suggested and Cat understood it wasn’t really a request.
No matter how much it grated to be treated in this way, she decided to smile and act as if it didn’t bother her in the least.
After all, she was a guest in his house, so to speak, and his rules applied.
“Follow me.” The other woman looked at Catalina with a plastic smile on her artificially enhanced lips.
She flipped her peroxide-blonde hair over one shoulder until it was teasingly touching her bottom with her every step. Her body was walking, talking advertisement of probably a pricey plastic surgeon, and she was very talkative indeed, Catalina decided.
She kept talking the whole short walk to the powder room, pausing from time to time for a dramatic effect. Cat wasn’t sure, but she would swear the woman said her name was Barbie and she had to bite the inside of her cheek in order not to laugh at what she considered a very adequate name.
At some point she stopped listening to her companion altogether and her voice blurred into only slightly irritating background music.
CHAPTER 25
Xan looked after Catalina, trying to act unaffected by the fact she was walking away, but Tristan was one of a very few men he trusted. He knew the other man wouldn’t act so casually and carefree if it were not safe.
Still, it didn’t mean he had to like losing her out of sight, he thought, feeling his friend’s assessing gaze.
“What?” He asked finally, because when it came to patience Tristan’s was legendary, which was one of the reasons he was so good at what he did, Xan supposed.
He was usually the last man standing–or more accurately–sitting at the table when other players were losing their shit and letting emotions cost them fortunes. It was a good thing Tristan never felt the pull of the ring because he would have been a dangerous adversary, Xan decided.
“I was surprised when you asked to put your name on the list. It’s been a while, Alexander,” Tristan said.
Xan gritted his teeth because as much as he hated the name, he knew it was the very reason why Tristan kept calling him that, to keep reminding him where he came from and what he achieved.
As if he could ever forget, Xan scoffed inwardly.
“And?” He asked again.
“And now it becomes perfectly clear my man. She is something,” Tristan appraised, and Xan couldn’t help but wonder was his interest of a more personal nature, and if the answer was yes–he was about to plant a fist into the face of one of his best friends.
Wouldn’t be the first time, and the reminder could only serve the bastard well, Xan thought.
“Whoa, ease up killer. I can see she is not fair game.” Tristan raised his hands in a mockingly placating gesture.
Fist to the face was still optional, Xan decided, but relaxed a bit.
“She is mine.” For however long this thing between them was going to last, he thought, not even surprised at the possessive streak he felt only while with Catalina.
He didn’t think she would be happy hearing his words. Not that he was going to share this little gem with her.
He looked at Tristan’s face, knowing women found him attractive and wondered if he was the type that Catalina was usually interested in herself. His past was as murky as Xan’s, but nothing about him would betray the fact. Unless someone looked into his eyes and saw all the shadows still prowling in their depths, still holding Tristan in their merciless grip.
His body didn’t bear scars as far as Xan’s knowledge went; his nose had never been broken, only his spirit, he thought and his fists clenched.
“So, what is your game of choice tonight?” Tristan asked.
“We are only window shopping. Cat had never been to a game like that before.”
“Ah, so you are acquainting her with the illegal side of life, hoping she will get the bug and won’t leave your sorry ass. Gotta say, you have one hell of a way with women, Alexander,” Tristan laughed.
“Whatever works; at the end of the night I will leave here with her, while you will be stuck with your plastic doll. I already feel like a winner,” Xan smirked.
“Asshole,” Tristan punched him lightly. “Not unless I make my move. Joking!” He added seeing a dark scowl forming on his friend’s face.
It was interesting, Tristan decided, and as much as he loved to razz Xan about it, he knew he was playing a dangerous game.
But dangerous games were exactly his playground, he thought.
At first, when he heard about Catalina, he didn’t love the idea of his friend being involved with a rich girl. He knew that no matter the pretenses, their worlds were far from blending seamlessly.
He knew, because an eon ago he had made a mistake and allowed himself to live in the fantasy world for a little while. There was only one outcome of such foolishness and at times it was hard not to let his past experience shadow someone else’s reality, he thought. He still didn’t love the idea, but he loved Xan and because of that he was ready to give Catalina the benefit of the doubt.
“Ladies,” he said when both women returned and he saw the look Catalina gave Xan.
Whatever was happening between the two of them, it wasn’t one sided.
“What do you know about Baccarat, Catalina?” He asked.
“Only that it is considered by many to be the most elegant and prestigious game. It comes from the Italian word meaning ‘zero’ which might apply to the value given to the tens and picture cards… but I am sure you didn’t ask about the history lesson.�
�� She smiled sweetly but the mischievous sparks in her eyes betrayed her.
He laughed, charmed by her, although he didn’t consider himself an easily charmed male. He was too jaded for it, too experienced in ways this beautiful woman with good breeding stamped all over her person had no idea even existed, he thought.
“No, although it was interesting. I meant more in the manner of rules.” He winked at her. “I am still trying to teach them to Bambi here.”
Bambi, she repeated in her mind. She wasn’t sure it was any better than Barbie.
“Well, the objective of the game is to draw a two or three card hand that totals closer to nine than the banker’s hand. The ten and Royal cards are all worth zero, Ace is one and the rest of the cards are their face value. I think what you can find in most places is a simplified version of the game called mini-baccarat, and perhaps that would be the better choice for a novice to get to know the rules.” She smiled at Bambi, but the woman couldn’t care less, more focused on plastering her body to Tristan’s than anything else.
“Hell, Alexander, you have a real firecracker here.” Tristan laughed and Cat blushed slightly.
She saw surprise lighting up Xan’s features and it pleased her for some reason.
“Are you sure I can’t talk you into playing tonight?” Tristan wanted to know.
“No, but thank you.” She leaned into Xan when his arm snaked around her back. “But I am very eager to see you play. I heard you are a very… dedicated player.”
“Be still my heart,” he chuckled and they all laughed, but she felt Xan’s hold tightening and wondered at the reason behind his uneasiness.
“We are about to start in ten minutes, but it could take the whole night. I won’t be offended if you don’t stay long enough to witness my win.” He smirked.
“Show off,” Xan muttered and Catalina laughed.
“Hey, if you want your ego stroked, this is not the place. You are welcome in my kingdom as long as you are boasting mine,” Tristan winked at Catalina and she thought it was hard to stay serious in the face of someone so easy going and not afraid to make jokes about himself.
“I am sure you fully deserve it too.” She smiled at him.
“Damn Alexander, I want to keep her,” Tristan said and she blushed.
“I am not sharing,” came Xan’s answer, and when she looked up at him she saw his eyes were utterly focused on her and a tad on the dangerous side.
She raised her hand to his chin, stroking the taut skin.
“What kind of a game we will see tonight?” She asked when Xan gripped her wrist and brought it to his lips.
She thought he was going to kiss it just like his friend did before, but she nearly gasped when she felt his teeth nibbling at her skin instead. Why that would surprise her, she wouldn’t be able to tell.
He was not a sleek and glamorous type. There was a ‘bite’ to him, she thought and nearly laughed out loud. He could be moody and had a vicious streak, but she knew there was more to him than that.
The more she still didn’t get the chance to unveil.
“Pai Gow Poker.” Tristan’s eyes smiled at her as if he were aware of her thoughts or the reaction Xan’s behavior elicited in her.
She blushed, hoping that was not the case.
“I am not familiar with it, I am afraid.” She frowned.
“I will be more than happy to oblige you, then… or Xan can explain the rules to you,” he added, amused by his friend’s growing tension.
“I will,” Xan said simply.
“It was a real pleasure, Catalina, but I am afraid I need to get ready. Alexander, please do bring her again. Until the next meeting.” He smiled charmingly and walked off with Bambi on his arm.
“Well? How about those rules?” She wanted to know.
“How about ‘no flirting with my friends’ for starters?” He asked in a silky voice she had never heard from him before.
“I was simply polite.”
“Of course you were,” he said and she wondered, was it possible he was being… jealous?
The thought should annoy her, but for some reason it thrilled her to think so instead, no matter how far off the mark he was because it was the first time in her life someone felt the volatile emotion toward her.
People from the circles she usually moved in didn’t manifest any kind of strong emotions. It was considered passé and highly unwelcomed by society. A person who didn’t have a strong hold on her emotions was a weak link.
She knew Florence thought her granddaughter to be one.
“I am waiting for those rules Xan,” she reminded, watching the shifting of colors and emotions in his eyes.
“Pai Gow Poker is played with a standard fifty two card deck plus the joker. After making a bet, each player is dealt seven cards and must make two poker hands: a standard five-card poker hand and a two-card poker hand. The former is often called ‘behind’ or the ‘bottom’ or even simply ‘big’ hand, while the two-card hand is called ‘in front’, ‘on top’ or the ‘small’ hand. The five card hand must be higher than the other while forming. You can’t make a flush, you must include the pair of aces in the five-card poker hand not the two-card one.” He explained.
“Wait… did you say the joker?” She frowned.
“Yes, it was the biggest surprise to me when I first played it. The joker can be used only to fill in a gap in a straight or still out a flush, otherwise it is always an ace.”
“Ah… so you did play.” She smiled.
“What can I say? I am a man of many talents,” he stated arrogantly.
“Being humble is on top of the list,” she told him sweetly and felt his hand sliding down her back and his fingers curving over her bottom.
“Can we watch the game?” She asked trying to ignore the possessive hold.
“That’s what we came here for.” He took her hand in his, leading her toward the table where Tristan had just taken a seat.
In a matter of a few moments, Catalina understood the reason behind the nicknames for the cards once players set their two poker hands. They placed their two-card hands in front, and the five-card in back.
“He is the banker,” Xan leaned in to whisper into her ear and she looked at one of the men at the table he was pointing at.
“What does that mean?” She couldn’t believe her interest in the subject.
“All the players at the table are playing to win both hands against him. Each player has to compare his hands to the banker’s hands. If both the player’s hands beat the banker’s, the player wins. If only one beats it, they consider it a push or draw and the player can take his money back,” he explained, barely able to stifle the need to chuckle because she was hanging on his every word as if he were sharing with her secrets of life.
“So… if the banker’s hands beat the player’s, the former wins, obviously. What happens when the player’s hands ties with the banker’s?”
“The banker wins; this is one of the ways the house makes sure they are at the advantage,” he said, surprised by the speed in which she was drawing conclusions and asking the most logical questions.
He couldn’t stop himself and delicately closed his teeth over her earlobe. She shuddered slightly and gripped his wrist in response.
“No distractions,” was all she said before her utter focus returned to what was happening at the table.
CHAPTER 26
They stayed in the Hotel Suite until well past midnight, but the game wasn’t anywhere close to an end.
Catalina couldn’t imagine the focus it required from Tristan, from all the players, to stay on top of the situation at all times.
At some point, her eyes just glazed over and her mind refused to follow the events. She felt the dull pulse of an impending headache.
“So what’s the verdict, Kitten?” Xan asked when they were heading toward her house.
She was wondering what the rest of the night would bring and her stomach knotted.
“It was intense as f
ar as the game goes, but at some point I just couldn’t follow it any longer, no matter how much interesting it was,” she admitted.
“Yes, it’s one of the main reasons I could never truly get into it. I lacked patience to endure all those ass dragging hours.” He shrugged.
“I can’t imagine you playing at all; it seems too… still for you. I am used to seeing you in action, I suppose.”
“Speaking of which… I have my next fight scheduled,” Xan said and glanced to check her reaction, but Cat was looking through the window as if the sluggish traffic outside was more interesting than their conversation.
“When?” She asked finally, telling herself it was just a matter of time and she shouldn’t be surprised by it.
And she wasn’t, she was just worried. It wasn’t the same, was it?
“Next week. Will you come?” He wanted to know.
“If you want me there…”
“You know I do, or I wouldn’t have mentioned it. How would you feel about participating in one of my training sessions?”
Until this moment he wasn’t sure he would ask her about it but the question rolled out of his tongue naturally.
“I would love to,” Cat smiled at him.
“How is it that you seem more inclined toward it than the real deal?” Xan chuckled.
“Maybe because I don’t expect a real harm come your way during training?”
“Cat… you knew what I do from the beginning.” He said carefully.
“Of course, but that was before and now is… now.” She thought that before he was this merciless lethal stranger who threatened her.
Now… Now the more time she spent with him, the more she cared, Catalina admitted but didn’t want to dwell on it, hoped he wouldn’t force her to.
“Is it going to be a problem?” Xan asked bluntly.
She wanted to ask if he looked further than the moment he was in. Did he see himself fighting five years from now while his opponents were going to be younger and younger?
Catalina was the first person to concede there was a lot she didn’t know about the bloody sport, but she knew that age was not something working in favor for any of the fighters, and no matter how good Xan was, it was just a matter of time before someone bested him.
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