AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Six
Zane stood back and watched Cammie slide her whopping five-thousand-dollar chip forward. He had no idea that she was such a risk taker. In fact, everything he’d seen so far kind of made him think that she didn’t like high stakes. It gave him a little high seeing how her hands shook, just a slight vibration, not that he could blame her. It was a lot of money to possibly lose.
The dealer slid the cards out for each player then flipped them. They were all low numbers, including hers—three of hearts and five of spades. The dealer’s showing card was a Jack. Zane would hit without a second thought, but Cammie liked to plan, and despite being a wonderful sub, she liked to be in control. Blackjack had an element of luck, for sure. A player couldn’t control what cards the dealer dealt, but it was possible, with a careful eye, to make a strategic move.
Each player ahead of Cammie hit then stayed. The dealer hovered, waiting for her to indicate what she wanted. She tapped the table. Hit. Zane let his breath slide out slowly, hoping for a good card to come Cammie’s way. Five thousand dollars was a lot to hand over in one go.
The dealer slid her card out, flipped it, Ace of spades.
She slashed her hand over the cards. Stay.
Cammie’s shoulders were scrunched almost to her ears. Zane moved forward, ready to ease his hands over those tense muscles when the big guy standing next to her leaned in and whisper-shouted at her, “That’s my girl. You’ve got him now!”
His girl? What the fuck?
The dealer flipped his hidden card. Two of Clubs. He hit again, Queen of Hearts. Twenty-Two. Cammie won!
She sat there like a statue while the big guy cheered. “You doubled your money, sweetheart!”
“It’s your money,” she said as she started to stand.
“Don’t be silly now! You won it fair and square.” He put his hand on her shoulder to keep her from getting up. “You’re not going to leave, are you, honey? You’re just getting started! Now you’ve got your own money to bet with.”
“Thank you, Mr. Haversmith, but I really need to find—”
“Cammie, there you are.” Taking the cue, Zane moved in to help her from her seat and away from Bill Haversmith’s meaty hand. Zane knew the man by name only. Millionaire. Womanizer.Supposedly camera-phobic or at least so elusive that there were no actual pictures of the guy. He was the number one person of interest in Zane’s investigation. Haversmith had been one of few travelers to make repeats trips on Dark Matter cruise ships in the last six months. Five out of six, in fact.
Bill took Zane in with a narrowed glare. He even puffed his chest out like he was actually thinking he could take Zane on—as if the man seriously thought Cammie would appreciate being fought over.
“Mr. Haversmith, this is my good friend, Zane Roberts.” Cammie slid herself against Zane’s side, and he draped his arm over her shoulder to nestle her in closer.
“Well, good to meet you, son,” Bill said, his hand out to shake.
Zane bristled at the patronizing tone, but he refused to rise to the bait. “Good to meet you too, sir.” They shook hands and, in a classic power move, Bill squeezed just a little too tightly. “Are you the Bill Haversmith who owns Zenith Industries?”
“That I am! The one and only.” Bill puffed his chest out even more as his eyes slid to Cammie briefly before returning to Zane’s.
“You have a very impressive portfolio.”
Bill narrowed his eyes again. “That I do… Say…you wouldn’t happen to be an investment banker, would ya?”
“You got me, Bill!” Zane laughed in his own patronizing way. “Maybe we could get a drink and talk—”
“I’m afraid that’s not the kind of trip I’m on, Zane.” Bill winked. “But you can call my office any time to schedule a meeting.” He slipped a business card out of his pocket and handed it to Zane.
“Thank you, sir, I will.” Zane squeezed Cammie’s shoulder. “And you’re right… We’re not on that kind of trip, either, are we, Cammie?”
“It was really fun playing a round of cards, Mr. Haversmith.” Cammie started to turn, pulling Zane with her.
“Hey now, my dear, you’re not leaving yet.”
Cammie tensed and Zane flashed a glare toward Bill, but he wasn’t looking at Zane. His eyes were locked on Cammie, along with a smarmy smile and his outstretched hand.
“You can’t leave without your winnings.” He handed her a five-thousand-dollar chip.
“I couldn’t!” Cammie said, her cheeks flushing.
“I insist. Treat yourselves to a top-tier spa afternoon.” He forced the chip into her hand. “I hear they have some of the rarest mud on board.”
