“Better luck next time Chloe.” Vinnie laughed and I slipped Freddie’s jacket off my shoulders onto the floor and sat back in my bra and knickers. I noticed both guys trying but failing miserably not to check me out. Vinnie adjusted himself where he was sitting and I stifled a giggle.
I played a good game at pretended to be disappointed but I was in my element right now, as my Father always taught me, lull them into a false sense of security and then hit them where it hurts.
“What you got this time Chloe?” Vinnie wiggled his eyebrows at me.
“I have these three tens are they any good?” I sighed and batted my eye lids like a stupid naive woman.
“Shit, that’s three of a kind.” Vinnie said, “You sure you’re new to this game and not hustling us?”
Of course I was hustling them, I spent most days honing my craft when Teresa and I were stuck indoors with no money and nowhere to go.
“No. I haven’t played for years. Guess it was a lucky hand guys so get em off.”
Marco huffed and threw his cards down with only a measly pair of fours to show. Then both men shrugged their jackets off their shoulders and threw them to the floor.
Their night got progressively worse from there on in. They didn’t spot my slight of hand or even question why I was winning all the time, and I was doing a pretty awesome job of acting like a clueless sap.
“I think I have something here,” I grinned sheepishly as I placed down a straight flush; four, five, six, seven, eight all spades.
“Aww man, she’s killing us!” Vinnie threw his head back then looked over to Marco and his face froze.
I’d already got them both stripped down to their underwear and I was chuckling evilly in my corner of the table when I heard the front door bang closed.
“What the fuck is going on here?”
I looked across to where Luca stood, his handsome face twisted and contorted into fury. His fists balled at the side of him and his jaw clenched so tightly shut I bet we would have heard his teeth grinding if we’d listened hard enough. My skin burned now under his gaze and I felt exposed for the first time tonight. It must have looked a sight to walk in on, me and the two guards stripped down to our underwear at the dining table.
“Sorry boss, she wanted to play cards so we thought it was best to keep her happy.” Vinnie said
“You thought it was a good idea to play cards with a card sharp whilst you waited for me to get home? And Strip poker at that? Seriously, it took you guys to get down to your underwear to figure out she’s a cheat?”
“I’m not a cheat… I’m an artist!” I cried infuriated at his use of the word cheat, I wasn’t a cheater I was a winner by any means necessary, that’s what Dad always told me.
“A con artist.” Marco replied bitterly glaring over at me.
“You’re just pissed cuz you lost.” I smiled. “Anyway I didn’t con you out of your money, just your clothes. You wouldn’t be complaining if it had been the other way around and I was sat here naked right now would you?”
“You might as well be from where I’m standing. It’s not like your underwear leaves a lot to the imagination.” Luca was seriously pissed off and not trying to hide it one little bit.
Vinnie thought my predicament was amusing but Marco didn’t and neither did Luca.
“You won’t find it funny when I kick your ass out and fire you.” Luca threatened Vinnie, and both men stood up and started to gather their clothes together.
“Upstairs now Chloe.” Luca ordered. I just sat back and folded my arms daring him to look my way but fearful of what his gaze would do to me.
“What part of that don’t you understand?” he moved closer to where we sat, his eyes full of anger but never reaching mine.
“Where upstairs?” I asked.
“First door on the left, that’ll be your room while you’re here. Go.” He snapped throwing his arm in the general direction of the staircase, his eyes fixed on Vinnie across the table.
I stood and started to walk away giving my hips a sneaky sexy sway as I walked off hoping in some sadistic way that they’d each be checking me out.
“Oh and Chloe, stay away from my men in future.” I turned round but Luca eyes were fixed, staring at the floor. So much for him checking me out.
As I reached the top of the stairs I heard him say to his men, “Cards, darts, pool, whatever it is you don’t play it with her. She’s a hustler, her Dad taught her everything he knew and she’ll beat both your asses before you even know what’s happened. She’s the best.”
I smiled proudly, yes I was the best Luca and don’t you ever forget it.