Sasha’s POVBefore she finished her words the door opened and I hoped that what we had said didn't get to him.Valentino walked into the room and met a silence, where a drop of a needle could be heard audibly. We were star-struck and mute at the same time. Rose adjusted her clothes and began cleaning my room with the towel on her hands. I had to signal her with a wink to my right eye to stop that. I'd learned from my “husband” and was now communicating through secret codes too.“Look who I have here with me. What are you two ladies up to,” he asked.I glanced at Rose and turned back to Alexandro. Thinking of what to say to him. I hastily put together a sweet lie that would fit after all.“Valentino, I asked her to help me with directions to Casino Royale,” I said knowing it would pique his interest because I overheard him speaking about getting there for a game earlier in the week.“Oh! I see. My darling Sasha now has her eyes on the boards. Hmm, do you know what I'm thinking,” Valen
Valentino’s POV I opened the door, asking Sasha to come in. She sat with me as I asked my chauffeur to take us to the casino. Sasha was all smiles and happy. And I loved it. I looked at her with keen interest as I pulled out the tray in front of me. I gracefully opened the box and took out my Cuban cigar, placing it on my lips. I looked at Sasha and remembered how she looked just like Felicia. Felicia had been the last woman I shared intimacy with. The old triad had taken a hit on her trying to get back at me. Everyone thinks being rich is all pleasure, but the pain that comes with it isn't a walk in the pack. Still, I felt at peace, without the pain, I wouldn't have gotten this far. I'd known pain and felt it inside out. Left for dead by family, deserted and betrayed by friends and those I'd wrongly called friends over and again. I seemed like a bee hive having only leeches and those seeking to pech and suck what was of benefit to them. “Valentino,” I turned as Sasha call
Sasha’s POVI stepped out of the car, observing the convoy before us. Valentino placed his hand on his Italian suit and adjusted it to fit. He looked at me and said, “Lead the way, my lady.”I felt a bit scared but I couldn’t help but show courage. I had never been to Casino Royale. I heard it was bad—breath-taking bad. The only person who kept speaking about this place was Emilia. She was raving about what goes on in there. She’d said how the men and women would turn the place into a wild-ass scene. I had heard her speaking about the pole dancers; it had different sections from the gay circuit, to the place where the ladies could even give happy endings. Emilia had told me how she had made a gay guy suck her core and even had a three-some right inside Casino Royale.Every form of unrighteousness could be seen inside of here. You could even arrange for the worst of things found only in the dark web inside there. It was a world of its own, standing on a 21-floor building. “Sasha, yo
Valentino’s POV I sat down, figuring out my next move. I had been here more times than the fingers in both of my hands multiplied by fifty.This was the pit of death and a grave of wealth. It wasn't just any game. It was all or nothing.Sasha sat bold next to me, looking all radiant, but I could feel her fears. I didn't want to bring her here but she seemed too adamant for herself.I had never played against this set of players but I knew my hand was good and my mind was sharp as always.The combination of skills to interpret and tell what the other two cards said was something not everyone knew how to do.I had a perfect system that was hidden and helped me tell which card from which. Watching the old geezer to my right, I knew he was some experienced fold. I had to wait for my round.“Participants reveal your pick,” the attendant said, standing and watching us all.A middle-aged lady who sat at the center was first to make her reveal the card the next participant played. She turned
Sasha’s POV“He won, Yes, Valentino had won,” I said inwardly as a wide laugh burst out of my mouth. There he was heading toward me. Valentino stood up, came at me, and kissed me. He had won the game. For a moment I was scared. Scared for him, scared for us, and scared that things might go sideways. This was the first time I had seen him tense. In all my life, I had never witnessed the tension, dread, and fear that filled the room. Each of the players was tense during the game.I watched a lady of a similar age as myself get up and yell aloud. She was the one player who seemed to make Valentino shift a bit from his seat. My lover had triumphed and he gave a winning roar.For a moment it felt surreal. Here was Mr. Hard Guy, all happy and cheerful. Maybe it was because it was his last laugh and his last game here. He had told me on our way up the floor that he wasn’t going to be in this section ever again.“Come on, my darling, let’s go party and have some fun and celebrate this victo
Sasha’s POV“Come on, I’m not in danger, I’ll be fine,” I said as I made my move.I stepped into the restroom and went to ease myself. There I sat thinking of what would have been my fate if Valentino had lost out there tonight.As much as I liked to keep it as a contract and nothing else, I was feeling drawn to him. It seemed as though I cared about him. Maybe I loved him. I knew he had the look of bravery but for once, I could see fear in his eyes. Etched deeply as though he was afraid of failing. I could tell within me that he had something hiding deep within him. Like some childhood hurt. A feeling of inadequacy or something of sorts.I washed my face and looked in the mirror, thanking my stars that I wasn’t collateral damage in case things had gone south. Those men and women didn't seem to have a soul in them. They were a bit kill or be killed—willing to put even their family on the line.Although my dad wasn't always available due to the lifestyle he'd chosen, he taught me one
Sasha’s POVI walked out of the restroom with the guard, as I was a bit furious and grateful at the same time.Furious that I had to be walked out of a conversation—well, a conversation I did not want to have.Valentino stood there with all shades of anger written all over his face. He seemed suspicious of something. Something I knew nothing about, and that wasn’t my worry or a burden to bear. Besides, I told him I needed to use the restroom.“Living in the restroom now? Look how long you kept me waiting! I wanted to make a quick introduction of you to some of my acquaintances and you stood me up and made it look like I was playing a prank on them. I see you like to keep me waiting and get on my nerves. Is that the new thing you’re taking a chide in?” He spoke, authority beaming from his tone.I rolled my eyes, restricting the wide laughter that was about to burst out of my mouth. Placing my hands on my mouth, I held it back, with a grin appearing on my face. I gave him a smirk and sa
Valentino’s POV“There can’t be any light without darkness, and there can’t be success without struggle.” His voice recoiled in my head as I puffed the smoke into Sasha’s face.I had lived my whole life, hidden in plain sight. Like a lyricist, I had penned down my every move. Markos, my late mentor, had taught me the way of the streets, even the deeds of Wall Street elitist movers and shakers.I was well-versed in business dealings and knew how to seize opportunities when I saw them lurking around me. For a moment, I looked at Sasha and asked if I spotted an opportunity in her or if it was my emotions trying to drag me to a place I never wanted to be.As difficult as it was for me to understand, love was also hard for me to comprehend. “I don’t let people into my world. I’ve got to save something for myself. I can’t just let everybody know everything about me,” I muttered, looking her in the face.“Am I everyone, Val?” Sasha said as she turned, facing me with her mouth wide open.“Don