The bittersweet victory

Chapter one: High stakes

Valentino dragged Angel through the casino, walking faster than normal, causing him to half run to stay on his feet, though it still hurt his wrist, which Valentino was holding. As they made their way through Angel tried to look at his surroundings, the casino was loud, with many different voices overlapping, so he couldn't make out many words. He'd been distracted so when Valentino stopped he stumbled forward, not stopping right away "Pay attention to where you're going" Val half growled at him under his breath "Sorry" Angel straightened himself, he looked at the door as Val knocked a gold plate on it read 'VIP' as Angel looked at the sign he felt a tug on his arm as Valentino dragged him inside, slower this time, the room was nicely decorated with a circular table in the middle of the room, Angel could see two other overlords sat, the radio demon and a cat who wasn't familiar with. "Nice of you to join us Valentino" the cat gestured for Valentino to sit down "You know I'd never miss one of your high stakes games husker" Val sat down, letting go of Angel's wrist. As his wrist was released he pulled it away, rubbing it, it was a bit red from Valentino gripping him so roughly. "I assume you are betting the spider?" Husker questioned "Of course, he's one of my most famous porn stars" Val replied, Angel tensed up, being gambled off was the last thing he expected to happen, "We don't need to know that" Husker rolled his eyes then looked over to Alastor "Who will you be betting then?" He questioned, Alastor snapped his fingers, a sinner appearing behind him "A former overlord as usual" Alastor looked a bit annoyed though it was hard to tell with the constant smile "As usual "Husker chuckled slightly, "We are just waiting on one more" Husker leaned back in his chair.

A few minutes passed, before a black spider entered the room, followed by a sinner "Good to see you Zestial" Husker straightened on his chair, gesturing to the empty seat "Enchanted as always Husker" Zestial sat down, politely nodding to the other overlords "Well let us begin" Husker gestured to a sinner standing by the door, who quickly walked over and began dealing cards "I trust everyone brought valuables souls" Husker glanced around at the sinners standing behind each of the overlords, nodding approvingly afterward. Each overlord placed a soul contract on the table, before picking their cards up to begin the game. Shortly after the game began Angel began zoning out. "Bullshit!" Angel Zoned back to Val yelling "Bad luck" Alastor grinned at Valentino, a bit wider than normal as Husker grabbed the contracts from the table, making a purple chain appear around Angel's and the other two Sinner's necks, "He cheated!" Valentino yelled "Now why would I cheat, that just ruins the fun" Husker's voice was calm but he was irritated "Val, stop" Angel whispered to him, though Valentino didn't acknowledge him, "I demand a rematch!" He continued to yell. "Val, you can just bet for me back another time," Angel said, trying to calm him down "Shut up!" Val yelled at Angel, standing up and slapping him, with enough force to knock Angel to the floor. "Get out!" Husker stood up, yelling at Valentino, "You can yell all you like but you will not lay hands on anyone here" He hissed "Fine" Before he left he turned to Angel, standing over him "Trust me, I'll get you back" Valentino then turned to leave.

Husker waved for the other overlords to go, and without a word, both disappeared into their shadows, he then gestured for the soul he'd been bidding to handle the other two new ones. Soon it was just Husker and Angel, who was now brushing himself off "Are you badly hurt?" Husker walked over to Angel, "No I'm fine" Angel brushed him off "That doesn't look fine" Husker placed a paw on Angel's cheek where he was bruised from Val "Don't worry, this is nothing" Angel pushed his hand away "How can you call that nothing? He hit you" Husker pushed back a growl "Because he's done worse in private" Angel blurted out "That bastard" Husker hissed, "It's no big deal" Angel stepped away from Husker, rubbing his lower hands together nervously, Husker sighed "Fine, do you have a place to stay away from Valentino?" he asked, Angel shook his head "Then you'll stay here" Husker gestured for angel to follow him. Husker led Angel quickly through the casino to a staff-only door, pushing it open and leading Angel in. He followed Husker down a short hallway before Husker opened the door "Here's your room" Angel walked in, while Husker stayed in the doorway "Thanks" Angel looked back to Husker "There are a few uniforms on you're bed, you can have tomorrow off, you start the day after" angel nodded in response as Husker closed the door, leaving Angel alone.