Randy studied her carefully, his eyes noting the way I circled around behind her. I purposely looked at my watch, as though checking the time.

He swiftly pushed all of his chips into the pile. 

“I’m all in, call.” Randy worked to keep his voice steady.

I moved to stand along the side of the wall with Keith. “He was doing so good too.”

“His nerves get him every time. You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”

I shrugged. “We needed to fill that slot.”

“I’d have done it.”

“I know you would have. And you would have wiped the floor with him. But…” I looked around carefully before lowering my voice further. “That’s the one Carlos was going to take a fall for.”

“Right, I forgot about that. Are we telling Randy that tidbit?”

I scoffed. “Do you really think we need to?”

Keith grinned and shook his head. “Nope.”

“Full house, Kings and Queens.” Randy laid his cards down proudly. 

Keith whistled. “You might need me after all.”

“Wait for it….” I sang softly. I was probably the only person who could still read Carlotta.

“Wow, that is one beautiful hand, Randy. Congrats.” Carlotta said meaningfully. 

Randy stood to grab all of his winnings, his grinning mouth open, probably to say thank you.

“But…” Carlotta flipped her cards over one at a time. Randy slowly sank back into his chair, defeated. “Royal flush. All hearts,”

“No,” Randy whispered. He looked up as Keith stepped over and patted his shoulder roughly. “No.” Randy shook his head, obviously in denial of what was about to happen.

With a little help from Keith, he walked out of the room. Not one person in there blinked an eye or even watched them. They didn’t care. They were too focused on their own games and winnings. And losings.

Twenty minutes later, I walked into the much larger portion of my basement. This one was filled nearly to the brim with people. In the middle was a raised platform, with a net around it. Off to the side sat a small, curved bar, but this one was not for drinks – that one was on the opposite side and only served bottled beer. This was where the money was kept for bets. Rebecca sat on a stool behind it, collecting the money and tracking who bet what, on her company tablet. Two very large guards stood on either side of the bar ends. One of them was BoBo. Outside of them, guards were stationed all around the walls, keeping an eye on things. 

“What’s the score?” I asked Rebecca.

She swiped her finger along the tablet a few times before answering. “The first two shows are averaging around 50 in bets. The last is closer to 30. Many were hesitant to bet against your new guy. They think you are going to surprise them with something tonight. Are you?” She finally lifted her head up to look at me, her black bob cut brushing her nose. 

I grinned. “Yes, but not the way they are thinking. It’ll be a good show, that’s for sure.”

With one succinct nod, Rebecca waved for the next person to step up. I moved away, heading towards the back. My way was blocked by two large Russians before I made it halfway there.

“You made change. I not agree to any change.”