“Don’t blame me if this backfires.” I nodded to Elder Nelson first. “You’re letting him win big tonight so he’ll come back next time, since he seemed put out at the beginning.” A nod to Elder Venclaire. “You’ve been filling his glasses higher with whiskey than Coca-Cola, getting him nice and drunk. He’s betting more freely with the alcohol.” A nod to Elder Kincaid. “Every time he glances at his watch, your people back off, letting him win the hand so he’ll stay longer.” A nod in Elder Fergus’s direction. “You’re leaving him the hell alone—right now—since he’s not drinking tonight and he’s playing his cards correctly. You’ll make a run for him later when he’s more relaxed.”
A glance to the fire Elemental next to him. “He’s a filler, one of your staff. He judges the way the plays should be made.” I paused. “He really needs to work on his hand signals to you guys. They’re too obvious.” I nodded to him. “You’re here scoping me out, where normally another filler would sit.” A head tilt to the Shifter on the other side of me. “He’s also a filler and helping the plays by your lead man, the fire Elemental, happen correctly.” My lips curved. “And he sniffed me every time I spoke to make sure I told the truth.”
I had to hand it to the Elders, every single one of them handled that very well. Not because they heard they were getting played, but because I listed clearly what they already knew. Every single one of them was playing the player. The owner of the establishment was getting swindled right under his own nose by the younger motley crew, but of course I wasn’t about to mention that.
“Damn,” Elder Venclaire mumbled and lifted his drink. He stared at it cross-eyed, acting the tipsy client. “I thought they tasted stronger.”
With that same self-assured tone I knew in 2035, Elder Fergus drawled, “And yet, you kept ordering them.”
Mr Stellar glanced from me to them. Back to me. “Do you know who they are?”
A simple answer, as I was unable to lie. “Yes.”
“I thought so,” he hummed, flicking a finger at my face. “Although, you hid it well.” He tilted his head at them again. “So…who are they?”
I eyed his features, then I realized what he was asking. “They’re powerful men whom you aren’t afraid to show that you’ve been cheating them.”
“And what do you suppose we do with less influential customers, who enter our establishment with poor intentions?”
My brows bounced. “What any decent owner such as yourself would do.” A shrug. “You’d hurt them when they weren’t looking.”
An unbidden chuckle erupted deep in his throat, his eyes crinkling. “I wasn’t expecting that much honesty, Ms Farrow.” He rubbed at his chest while he continued laughing, his gaze running over my lips. “My question was supposed to frighten you, as it does most people.”
My lips curved. “I’m not most people, Mr Stellar.” I wasn’t sure how many times I was going to say that in my lifetime. It should be obvious after a minute with me.
He shook his head, wiping at his eyes. “Christ, that foster parent you spoke of must have been a true bastard.”
“Pretty much the worst you could ever imagine.” I played with one of my chips on the table, but I kept eye contact with the man. “I really don’t wish to talk about him any further.”
He inhaled heavily, catching his breath. He rubbed at his chest, eyeing me in a professional, and if I wasn’t mistaken, sexually interested way as he lifted his drink once more. Lowering the glass, he rolled a finger, meaning the game could continue from its small hiatus. He leaned closer, placing an arm on the edge of the table, and tilted his head to give us privacy from the rest of the table. “Are you only interested in women, Ms Farrow?”
“No.” I lifted my brows. “I prefer the soft and the hard.”
His lips curved. “I believe you’re almost trustworthy.” He patted my steady hand on the table, his touch lingering a moment longer than necessary. “Your name will be on the list at any of my establishments, although, I frequent this one more often than others…if you’re interested.” He stood and motioned at someone across the room before peering back down to me. “And please, if you’re not planning to use one of my waitresses tonight, let them know since I believe they’re holding off on other offers.” His lips tilted. “That was nicely played, by the way.”
I blinked up at him innocently. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
He chuckled again, waving a hand at the Shifter behind me giving him a signal. “God man, I don’t need to know that.” Eyes back to me, he spoke in a serious tone. “Just give them an answer so they can make their money.” A head tilt to Elder Fergus. “I believe he’s waiting on Sarah.” He walked backward a few steps and grinned. “Or Raven, as she informed him.”
He winked, turning, and headed toward the back room.
I folded my hand absently when the call was raised, and bucked up. I peered to Elder Fergus and stated candidly, “I’ll tell her she’s all yours.”