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“So much for going easy on me,” I comment.
Cassius’s eyes rake over my exposed body, and I feel a shiver run down my spine as he smirks. “It’s hard to do that when your body is on the line,” he says, his voice dripping with intrigue.
Nikhil’s gaze is equally intense, leaving me feeling both exposed and powerful in their presence. I refuse to let them see how much this affects me. Instead, I focus on the game at hand, determined to come out on top.
Nikhil leans back in his chair, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. “You really thought you could win that easily?” he teases, his voice dripping with mock concern.
His words sting, but I refuse to let his mockery deter me. “Just watch,” I reply, my voice steady and determined. “I’m not giving up yet.”
“Very well, then.” Cassius shuffles the cards and deals a new hand. “Round two it is.”
My heart races as I study my cards, trying to remember everything Cassius taught me earlier. The stakes are high, but I refuse to back down. I need answers, and this is the only way to get them.
Cassius and Nikhil exchange glances, their expressions unreadable. I take a deep breath, pushing aside my nervousness and focusing on the game. “Raise,” I say, tossing more chips into the pot.
“Call,” responds Nikhil, his gaze never leaving mine.
“Fold.” Cassius tosses his cards onto the table, his expression unreadable.
The game continues, each move more tense than the last. My mind races, strategizing, calculating odds. Finally, the cards fall in my favor, and I win the round by the narrowest of margins.
“Looks like our little Lily here has learned some tricks.” Cassius’s playful accusation sends a shiver down my spine, but I don’t let it distract me. I’ve won, and now they owe me answers.
“Didn’t I tell you I’d win?” I say, trying to keep the excitement from my voice. “Now, it’s time for you to hold up your end of the bargain.”
“Fine,” Nikhil says, his voice strained, clearly unhappy about losing. “Ask your question.”
“Alright.” I swallow hard, steadying my nerves. “What happened between Damian and Mikayla?”
“Damian told you about that?” Cassius raises an eyebrow, a hint of surprise in his voice.
“It doesn’t matter who told me,” I reply, trying to keep my composure. “Now, are you going to tell me or not?”
Nikhil’s eyes narrow, the blue depths suddenly icy as he scrutinizes me. “What do you know about Damian and Mikayla?”
“Only that they were close,” I reply, meeting his gaze head-on. “I spoke with Isabella earlier today.”
The second the words leave my lips, I realize I’ve thrown her under the bus.
“Ah, our dear sister has a penchant for sharing secrets, doesn’t she?” Cassius smirks, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. The mood in the room shifts, tension pulling at the edges of our game.
“Remember our agreement,” I say firmly, unwilling to let them off the hook. “I won the hand, and now I want my answer.”
“Fine.” Nikhil leans back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. “Damian and Mikayla were lovers. They dated for a while, and he even wanted to marry her at one point.”
Damian wanted to marry her? Isabella told me he loved her, but to that extent?
My heart skips a beat, and my curiosity deepens. I had sensed there was something more between them, but this revelation stirs a mixture of emotions within me. I need to know everything—what brought them together, why it didn’t work out, and how it has affected Damian.
How my sister ended up dead.
“But how…?”
“Uh-uh.” Cassius shakes his head. “We answered your question. If you want to ask another one, you’ll have to win another hand.”
He’s right.
“Deal the cards,” I command, my voice firm but betraying a hint of urgency. I can feel the pressure mounting with each passing round, and I refuse to let my composure slip.
