22. Annalise

22

ANNALISE

T he dimly lit room pulses with an undercurrent of power, like a live wire threatening to spark at any moment. I can feel it in the air, thick and electrifying, as I stand surrounded by some of the most dangerous men I’ve ever encountered. Their gazes, heavy with unspoken intentions, send shivers down my spine.

“Relax,” Nikhil murmurs into my ear, his warm breath dancing along my skin. “You’re safe with us.”

“See that man over there?” His words pull me from my thoughts, and I follow his gaze to a tall, imposing figure. “His name is Victor. He’s the head of security for our family. If anyone tries anything, he’ll be the first to step in.”

I nod slowly, committing Victor’s face to memory. He seems reliable, a solid wall of muscle that no one in their right mind would dare challenge.

“Next to him, the one with the scar across his cheek—that’s Alexei. He’s our weapons expert. If you ever need someone to teach you how to shoot, he’s your guy.”

“An interesting skill to have,” I muse, rubbing my thumb over the smooth surface of the wine glass in my hand.

“Indeed.” Nikhil smirks. “It might come in handy one day.”

As he continues introducing me to the others, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of unease. These men are undeniably powerful, with a dangerous allure that both frightens and intrigues me. Yet, here I am, standing among them, and under their protection.

“Are you sure I’m safe?” I whisper, unable to keep the worry from my voice.

“Trust me,” Nikhil replies, his hand brushing lightly against my back. “No one will touch you without our permission.”

I swallow hard, nodding in agreement. Despite the alarm bells ringing in my head, I find myself trusting him. There’s something about Nikhil that draws me in, a magnetic pull that I can’t resist.

“Let’s enjoy the evening, shall we?” he suggests, guiding me toward the poker table at the center of the room. The game is already well underway, and the tension is palpable.

The room seems to pulse with a powerful energy as Nikhil guides me toward our seats behind Cassius. The air is thick with tension, and the soft clink of poker chips mixes with the low murmurs of conversation. I feel an undeniable curiosity as we approach the table, my heart pounding in anticipation of the game that’s about to unfold before us.

“Watch closely, Annalise,” Nikhil whispers into my ear, his breath warm against my skin, sending shivers down my spine. “You might learn something.”

As we settle into our places, I can’t help but take in the scene before me. Powerful men, their expressions carefully concealed behind stoic masks, sit poised and ready for the game to begin. The stakes are high, and I can sense the underlying currents of danger lurking beneath the surface.

“Give me some luck, darling,” Cassius says, turning to face me with a devilish grin. He fans out his cards, offering them to me with a playful wink. “A kiss should do the trick.”

My cheeks flush at his request, but I don’t hesitate, leaning forward to press my lips gently against the smooth surface of the cards.

With that, he turns back to the table, his attention fully focused on the game at hand. I watch as he studies his opponents, calculating their every move and planning his own strategy. I realize that beneath his charming exterior lies a formidable player, one who will stop at nothing to win.

As the game progresses, I find myself enthralled by the intensity of it all—the subtle glances exchanged between players, the ever-changing piles of poker chips, and the masterful way in which Cassius manipulates the cards. It’s a world I never imagined I’d be a part of, and yet, here I am, sitting with these powerful men and learning their secrets.

“See? You’re already getting the hang of it,” Nikhil says softly, his hand still resting possessively on my thigh. “Perhaps one day you’ll join us at the table.”

I look over at him, a question forming in my mind, but before I can voice it, he leans in close once more.

As the dealer reveals the final card, my breath catches in my throat, anticipation curling in my stomach.

“Full house,” Cassius announces, his voice steady and confident. The tension in the room breaks like a wave, and I release the breath I’d been holding as he rakes in the chips, victorious. “Better luck next time, gentlemen,” he says with a smirk, stacking his winnings neatly before him.

Arlo’s eyes narrow, the disappointment evident in his expression. His gaze travels from Cassius to me, and I shiver involuntarily under the unsettling intensity. It’s as if he’s trying to decipher some hidden meaning behind my presence, to determine my role in this high-stakes world.

“Your good luck charm seems to be working wonders for you, Volkov,” Arlo comments, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Or perhaps it’s just skill, Arlo,” Cassius retorts, not missing a beat.

I swallow hard, acutely aware of the danger that Arlo represents. He’s a man who’s used to getting what he wants, and I can sense his frustration at being bested by Cassius. In that moment, I realize the significance of my role here—not just as an observer, but as someone these men want to protect. And perhaps, someone they want to possess.

Something I want too.

My heart pounds in my chest, a strange mixture of fear and exhilaration coursing through me. As much as I know I should be wary of Arlo and the threat he poses, there’s a small part of me that craves the thrill of this high-stakes game.

“Excellent play, Cassius,” Nikhil says, his hand tightening ever so slightly on my thigh. “I knew you had it in you.”

“Well then, Cassius, what do you want? Name your price,” Arlo says, his voice silky smooth and dripping with insincerity.

Cassius doesn’t hesitate, his piercing blue eyes never leaving mine. “I already have everything I need right here,” he says, nodding toward me. His possessiveness sends a shiver down my spine, but at the same time, I can’t help but feel protected by him.

“Is that so?” Arlo sneers, his disappointment evident. He stands up abruptly, the legs of his chair scraping loudly against the floor. The others begin to follow suit, gathering their things and murmuring amongst themselves as they prepare to leave.

“Wait,” Nikhil tells me, gripping my arm gently when I attempt to rise from my seat. “We’re not finished yet.”

“More?” I ask Nikhil, trying to keep my voice steady.

He nods, his grip on my arm reassuring and firm.

As the last of the guests filter out, leaving only the Volkov brothers, myself, and a few trusted members of their inner circle, I wonder what awaits me.

“Come on,” Nikhil murmurs, guiding me gently toward the poker table. Cassius follows behind, cradling a fresh bottle of wine in his strong hands. The dim glow of the chandelier above casts ominous shadows across their handsome faces, making my heart pound with equal parts fear and desire.

“Have you ever played poker, Annalise?” Nikhil asks, his eyes searching mine for any hint of hesitation.

I shake my head, swallowing hard as I recall the whispered stories of my family’s gambling debts—the shadows that always haunted our lives. “Not really, but I understand the basics.”

“Good,” Cassius says, uncorking the wine with a satisfying pop. He pours three glasses and hands one to each of us. “You’ll catch on quickly, I’m sure.”

“Try not to go too easy on me,” I tease, attempting to lighten the mood. I take a sip of the velvety liquid, letting it warm my insides and soothe my frayed nerves.

Nikhil chuckles, his free hand brushing against mine as he shuffles the deck with practiced ease. “Don’t worry, we’ll be gentle…at least for now.”

Cassius smirks, raising his glass in a silent toast before taking a long drink. I follow suit, the wine’s warmth spreading through me as our eyes lock over the rim of my glass. It’s a challenge, a promise, and an invitation all at once—and I know that I won’t back down.

“Here’s a thought,” Cassius says, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he leans back in his chair. “How about we make things a bit more interesting?”

“Interesting how?” I ask, my curiosity piqued despite my better judgment.

Cassius smirks, an expression that’s both enticing and dangerous. “For each game we play, you remove an article of clothing. In return, for every hand either of us loses, you get to ask one question—anything you want, no restrictions.”

My heart races at the audacity of his proposal, but something about the challenge ignites a spark within me. This could be my opportunity to learn more about the men who hold my fate in their hands—and perhaps even gain some leverage of my own.

“Alright,” I say, meeting his gaze with determination.

“Let the games begin,” Cassius declares, his excitement palpable as he starts dealing the cards.