Page 21 of When He Plays

The next card…

Jack of Hearts.

“Holy shit,” Sebastian swore, his southern accent becoming a bit more pronounced.

Charlotte turned over the third card.

Queen of Hearts.

Immediately, her head whipped back toward Logan.

He could see the stunned surprise in her eyes, and, seriously, it was insulting. Logan had to ask, “You really thought I’d ever risk you?”

She licked her lips.

Because they had an audience, a very avid one, he leaned forward and brushed his lips across hers. “I protect what is mine.” Then he reached around her and turned over the last two cards.

King of Hearts.

Ace of Hearts.

“No!” Ares flew to his feet. “Impossible!”

Logan remained seated. One arm stayed around Charlotte. The other still extended toward the cards. “Oh, it’s entirely possible. Just happened so…yep, possible.” He stared up at his opponent. “Before you leave tonight, my guards will take you into the casino’s main office, and you will sign over my new property to me.” His gaze tracked to a stunned Pierre. “Both of you.”

“The hell I will!” Ares thundered around the table, fists clenched. “You cheated! You cheated!”

“Now you’re just going too far. Insulting a man in his own home…” Logan let go of Charlotte.

She scrambled out of his lap.

Logan rose. Ares was almost on top of them, and the guy had a fist swinging out. That fist had better not hit Charlotte!

Logan roared. He grabbed Charlotte, yanking her body against his even as he spun. He curled his body around hers and felt Ares drive a fist into his back.

Fatal mistake, you prick. Fatal.

“Logan?” Charlotte squeaked out his name.

“Stay back,” he gritted.

Then he let her go. He spun. Drove his fists at Ares in fast succession. One hit, two, three, four. Over and over and Ares didn’t fight back because he was too stunned. Logan pounded the bastard, driving him to retreat until Ares slammed into the wall behind him.

Now you are trapped.

A wall behind Ares.

Logan’s flying fists right in front of him.

You swung when Charlotte was there? You nearly hit her? You thought you’d make a bet and take her?

“Logan!” Hard arms grabbed him.

Sebastian.

And…

Logan’s own guards. Men who’d been just beyond the door of the back room and had no doubt come running when they heard his roar. That roar was never a good sign, and they knew it. He turned his head, blinked past the rage that still consumed him, and saw Terrance and Jesse. Both men were pulling on him with all their might.