Chapter 2
“Malcolm’s fiancée, huh?“Finn flicked his gare to the pale, stunning girl in his arms, a crooked smirk tugging at his lips. “Well, hell. That’s one spicy twist
Anyone who wound up here had a story that’d make one’s head split.
The sun blazed high as a convey of sleek, stupidly expensive cars tore down the highway, screaming wealth with every mile.
Finn lounged in the backseat, long legs kicked up, looking chill as hell but with this vibe that said “don’t even try me.”
“Mr. Barnett,” Robert shot a nervous glance at Finn’s ridiculously good–looking face in the rearview mirror. “Your grandpa’s throwing you a big welcome- home shindig
“We headed straight to the estate?”
Finn’s eyes slid to the wiped–out girl in his arms, her face pale as moonlight. A sly, unreadable glint sparked in his sharp, stormy gaze
“Heard Malcolm’s little fan club’s hyping him up as the new ‘King of Gambling His voice was low, dripping with amusement. “Let’s swing by the casino and see what the fuss is about.”
Arya had zero clue who she’d tangled with last night. When her eyes finally fluttered open, she was propped up in a hospital bed, feeling like she’d been hit by a truck.
A nurse was easing the IV out of her arm, all gentle and sweet. “Hey, you’re awake! How you doing? Anything hurt?”
The nurse’s
tone was so warm, with this odd undercurrent of respect that threw Arys off.
She couldn’t even remember how she’d ended up here, and that was freaking her out.
Before she could ask what the hell was going on, the nurse slipped her a folded scrap of paper with a sunny smile. “Ms. Keller, the guy left you his number. Said he’s waiting for you to step up and own it.”
Arya froze, her brain scrambling to catch up. Bits and pieces of last night started crashing back like a bad movie.
was supposed to be her big engagement night to Malcolm Barnett, the guy she was slated to marry for some fancy business deal.
But then it all went to hell–she got kidnapped, along with Eloise Sutton, Malcolm’s old flame who’d just breezed back into town
Arya could’ve bailed easy. She had the skills to slip away clean. But she didn’t. Instead, she hung back, watching as the kidnappers dialed Malcolm, testing if he was worth her future.
Big mistake. Malcolm coughed up three million to save Eloise and leht Arya to rat.
It hurt like hell, no lie. But in a way, she was relieved. A guy like that? Total waste of her time.
The kidnappers, high on their ransom cash, decided to have some sick fun. They dosed her with something nasty, planning to take turns breaking her.
But Arya wasn’t going out like that. Right before her body betrayed her, she took those bastards down–one by one–and stappered out of the abandoned factory into a dark, tangled forest.
That’s where Finny came in. In her drugged–up, desperate haze, she thought he was her savior, some kind of miracle dropped from the sky. With her head spinning and her body on fire, she didn’t have time to think twice.
Now, as the memory of their wild, steamy night on the forest floor hit her full force, Arya’s cheeks burned brighter than a summer sunset
Arya barely glanced at the note before stuffing it into her jeans and kicking the blankets off. She felt like hell, but something big was calling, and it wasn’t
3
Chapter 2
waiting for her to feel better.
The TV blared from the corner, some over the top gambling news segment.
A bubbly reporter was all over Malcolm “Mr. Barnett, you’re basically a legend Undefeated, king of the tables–they’re dubbing you the King of Gambling Come on, spill What’s your secret?”
Malcolm, looking like a million bucks in his sharp suit, Bashed a grin that could charm the socks off anyone. “King of Gambling? Nah, I’m just a guy who loves a good bet. No secrets–just gotta enjoy the ride?
“Any words for the folks at home?”
“Yeah, I’m donating all my winnings today to the Red Cross. Spreadin‘ a little love, you know?”
Arya’s gaze zeroed in on his smugmug.
ug flickering on the screen, her Eps twisting into a bitter smirk.
‘King of Gambling, huh?‘ she mused, a sly grin creeping across her face. “Man, it’d be a total blast to dethrone this guy–Ive, with the whole internet watching
Norrian Club smacked in the glitzy heart of Flodes City.
This place had it all–fancy hotels, gourmet food, designer boutiques, and entertainment that never quit. But let’s be real, the casino was the main event
At the tables, Malcolm, decked out in a suit that screamed money, pushed a towering stack of chips forward with a cocky grin. “All in on small
His dream girl, Éloise, was back in town, and he was ready to rake it in. A few million in winnings would score some dazzling gifts to make her swoon.
Plus, he’d toss a couple hundred grand to the Red Cross for the PR. Look like a saint, win over Flodes City’s adoring fans.
Once he cemented that King of Gambling title, his name would be bulletproof.
A slender, pale hand grazed the table, barely making a sound. Then a voice cut through the chatter–cool, sharp, and smooth as velvet.
“You wanna play for keeps, or you afraid I’ll mop the floor with ya?” she said.
Every head at the table whipped around, eyes wide, jaws dropping/
There she was a girl who could stop traffic. Stunning, petite, with a face like it was sculpted by angels.
Skin pale as snow, lips full and teasing. She looked young, almost too sweet,
pet, but there was a fire in her
Those sharp, glittering eyes held a dangerous edge that made their pulse race.
Behind her, two reporters with cameras were filming, streaming this showdown live to the world.
The crowd felt the shockwave: this was Arya. Malcolm’s fiancée.
