Chapter 160: Game of poker

Braelyn’s POV

I was seated next to Lucien, and he was casually sipping his drink when he glanced at me. A grin on his lips, he leaned closer to whisper. Jolts of his breath trickled down my skin, it was a deliberate action to tease me

“Do you want me to win?” He asked. I smirked at him. A knowing smile on my lips. “You act like you can control the cards. This is poker and not magic.”

He smiled, amused. He was still too close to me. I could take in his scent. It seemed he had changed his cologne; he now had a more citrus-like scent, which was more appealing than the last one.

I couldn’t say if what was enticing was the cologne or the man putting it on. “You seem like you know the game well.” He chimed.

I smirked. “I had my rebellious phase, Lucien, although I was taught by my dad.” Something flickered in his eyes between astonishment and surprise; one thing was for sure, his interest was piqued.

“I wish I knew you then… I would have been your partner in chaos for life,” he said slowly. Something in his tone made my heart skip a beat, or maybe it was his eyes. I glanced away, trying to keep my thoughts at bay, reminding myself.

He was the best actor out there. This might all be an act and I am just a pawn.

“Now that everything is done, can we have a lady share the cards?” Benji’s voice drew back my attention. Karis immediately stepped forward excited to play the role. It’s nice how she had an amicable relationship with her husband’s friend.

Karis De Marco was someone I admired from the business world. She was famous for competing against her very husband for years. “I can do that.” She chimed in accepting the deck of cards.

“Are you acquainted with Karis?” I could help but ask Lucien in hushed tones.

“We have worked with each other before on business and I attended her wedding. It’s fair we are acquainted. Xander won’t let someone like me get close to his wife.” He chimed before adding in a mischievous tone

“I do have a reputation for stealing people’s wives. Although I promise I am innocent, they were the ones who fell for me, and I didn’t know they were married.” My lips twitched listening to his arrogant words.

“You have a thing for married women.” My forehead throbbed from learning about his weird kink.

“In my defence, the good ones are always taken and I can’t stop them from falling at my charms.” He defended himself before adding in a hurt tone, like a betrayed wife, ” I swear the only married woman I have ever truly chased is you.”

I rolled my eyes, my gaze shifted back to Karis, tired of Lucien’s theatrics. The moment Karis took the deck from Benji, I knew this wasn’t going to be an ordinary game.

There was a shift in the room; it was subtle, but unmistakable. Laughter faded and then I noticed the way they stared at each other as if making a secret agreement. Mikhail noticed it and he knew from that moment how the game was going to end.

. These men didn’t play games casually, not with each other and definitely not with stakes that had nothing to do with money.

Karis stood with elegant ease, shuffling the cards in a way that felt almost ceremonial. Her hands moved smoothly with confidence. I noticed the way everyone’s eyes followed her fingers studying the cards.

A maid slipped in quietly with drinks and finger food, the clink of glasses briefly breaking the tension. Players were set, Benji, Ivan, Mikhail, Casper, Xander, Lucien and Adelina, the only woman at the table.

I stayed seated slightly away, close enough to observe but not interfere. Lucien had positioned himself so casually beside me earlier, one arm draped over the back of my chair with his attention had already shifted fully to the table.

Karis dealt the cards with a faint smile playing on her lips.

“I hope you’re lucky tonight,” she said lightly, her gaze flicking across the table before settling briefly on Adelina. “My bet’s on the only girl brave enough to sit with you idiots.”

A ripple of amusement followed.

When she placed Adelina’s cards down, her fingers lingered for half a second longer than necessary. “Let’s be nice to her,” Karis added, mock stern. “I don’t want the ginger crying tonight.”

That earned a few chuckles. My gaze flickered to Adelina curiously watching her. Her posture was composed like someone who knew what she was doing.

Lucien leaned back in his chair, lips twitching after checking his cards. “The only one who might cry is Benji. He’s always unlucky.”

Benji groaned dramatically. “Don’t curse me.”

Mikhail barely reacted, eyes already scanning his cards with a neutral gaze. Xander sighed quietly, rubbing a hand through his hair.

The banter felt natural, but something underneath it wasn’t. These men were watching each other with anticipation.

I watched Lucien more closely than the rest. He was too relaxed. The way his fingers tapped once against the table, the slight tilt of his head.

“Viper, you would not mind if my puppy is a loser tonight. Would you?” He whispered as his gaze shifted to Adelina, curiosity filled in his eyes.

Lucien spoke as if he were already certain he would lose. “Do whatever makes you happy.” I sneered..his eyes lit up. “I am so lucky to have such an understanding master.” He dramatically said keeping up the lost puppy act.

Adelina picked up her cards last. I saw the smallest flicker in her eyes before she masked it. Whatever she saw, it was good. Very good.

The game began as I predicted, it was rigged, more like they all had a plan in place. It was something that had to do with getting on Mikhail’s nerves. I could never understand male friendship.

A Bunch of influential figures cussing each other because of a game

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