Gabriella

The underground poker halls in Atlantic Metropolis look very very like those in New York. Similar low cost furnishings, identical too-bright lighting. This room is within the again room of a nondescript Italian restaurant. Each time somebody opens the door, I scent pizza.

The bouncer on the door is large. His bushy eyebrows come collectively in a frown as his gaze rests on me. “You’re Gabriella?” he asks suspiciously. “Sammy’s woman?”

I nod. His eyes fall on my purse and he bristles. “No private results,” he says. “No telephones, no cameras. There’s a closet you possibly can put all of it in.”

If shit had been to hit the fan, I received’t be capable to name Carter. I’ll be by myself. I go searching as discreetly as I can. There’s about twenty folks within the room. Principally guys, however reassuringly, there are different ladies right here; I’m not the one one. One in every of them, a well-dressed girl in her fifties, notices me trying round and walks over. “Bulldog,” she teasingly scolds the bouncer. “Are you scary her?” She offers me a pleasant smile. “I’m Vittoria Vitale. And also you’re new.”

“Gabriella,” I reply, omitting my final title.

“You’re Spanish? You don’t sound Spanish.”

I’ve been requested this query a thousand occasions. “My father is Brazilian,” I reply. “I grew up in London.”

“Ah, that explains the accent.” She nods, content material that she has me sorted right into a neat class. “What are you doing in Atlantic Metropolis?”

If it comes up, be open,Carter had informed me earlier. When you act cagey, folks will assume you will have one thing to cover.

“I’m right here for work,” I reply. “You recognize Nicky Z? She’s doing a collection of exhibits on the Grand River. I’m her publicist.” I undoubtedly sound like I’m bragging. “I’m going to be right here by way of her run, and I used to play quite a bit in New York, and so…” I shrug my shoulders.

Vittoria’s eyes slim once I point out the Grand River, however as I proceed to talk, she appears to chill out. “Have you ever caught the present?” I proceed, pretending to be an keen, barely pushy PR rep. “It’s actually spectacular.”

Her lips skinny right into a barely-there smile. “My husband is within the course of of shopping for the Grand River. I’ll watch the present when he’s executed.”

I’ve a number of follow sustaining a poker face—that’s the one cause I handle to maintain my expression impartial. This seemingly pleasant girl is Denton Mitchell’s spouse. I should be cautious and never let the truth that I do know Carter and Dominic slip accidentally.

“Be part of us,” she says. “It’s so refreshing to see a girl enjoying poker. I get weary of the testosterone.” She gestures to a desk the place a sport is in progress.

I don’t know the right way to get out of it, and, from my fast scan of the room, Ed Wagner isn’t right here. Ah effectively. I would as effectively get warmed up whereas I look forward to him. Giving Vittoria a heat smile, I permit myself to be tugged.

Surprisingly, I’m not flustered. I’ve spent a few years in rooms like this. Right here, I really feel at residence. Right here, I belong.

I get a thousand {dollars}’price of chips. Vittoria raises an eyebrow. “Assistants are higher paid than I’d realized.”

She’s already seen my watch—her gaze settled on it throughout our dialog. There’s no avoiding the large elephant within the room. “My dad and mom are wealthy.”

“Ah.” She’s readjusting her psychological evaluation. She will be able to’t fairly resolve if I’m a too-keen publicist, or if I’m a rich dilettante. Ignoring her wrestle, I take my chips and switch towards the desk she’d indicated. Regardless of Vittoria’s assertion about not wanting as a lot testosterone, there are three guys seated there, along with two ladies. They appear up at our strategy. “Everybody,” Vittoria says. “Meet Gabriella. She’s going to be enjoying with us tonight.”

“Hello,” I say, surveying my competitors for the night time. The 2 ladies, Vittoria’s pals, have paired sequined tops with yoga pants and heels. Two of the fellows—their husbands, I feel—are in athleisure too. The third man is a wildcard. He’s sporting a plaid shirt and light denims, and he seems utterly relaxed. He’s both an expert, or he’s acquired cash to burn. Neither situation is especially good.

There’s one empty seat at our desk.

The vendor doesn’t look a day over eighteen. “One other jiffy and we’ll get going,” he broadcasts.

He’s ready for the tables to fill. I nod in acknowledgment and interact in well mannered dialog with the folks at my desk.

5 minutes later, Ed Wagner walks in.

I don’t know what I’m anticipating. I’ve seen two pictures of Ed. In a single, the reserving photograph Carter despatched me, he seemed bleary-eyed and dazed. Dominic had despatched me a unique shot, and in that one, he’d been staring down at his child, his expression tender.

However pictures are by no means an alternative to seeing somebody in individual, as anybody who’s swiped proper on a promising courting profile can inform you. Up shut, Ed Wagner, a blond man with a skinny face and hazel eyes, seems drained.

He’s additionally older than I anticipated. Taking a look at him beneath the unforgiving fluorescent lighting, I’m guessing he’s in his forties. Carter’s in his early thirties and his sister Chloe was a twin, which makes her at the very least a decade youthful than Ed. Ten years isn’t an enormous age hole, all issues thought-about, nevertheless it’s notable. Possibly that is a part of the explanation Carter’s so offended with Ed. Possibly he thinks Ed led his sister astray.

This case is full of unknowns.

Earlier this night, within the elevator, I’d tentatively broached the subject with Carter. He hadn’t snapped at me—a chance that I’d braced for—however he additionally hadn’t precisely answered my query.

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