Phantom Rider - The Aftermath | Book 1

Poker Face

Bill's POV

The poker room was dark, the atmosphere all too familiar to me. Music blasted from the speakers and the chatter of people made it feel like home. I felt good in such an environment.

Gustav freed a space for me at the poker table, and as I walked towards it, all eyes were on me as usual. Yet another cigarette grounded me. I sat next to Georg and noticed a woman across the table. She was stunning - long black hair, dark green eyes, and a sneaky, flirtatious smile as she looked at me.

"Bill, finally you arrived!" Georg said, clapping me on the back. "Join us for a round. I'm sure you'll show us all how it's done."

I nodded, sliding into an empty chair. Her eyes locked onto mine. I was used to the attention. People either wanted to be me or be with me. Tonight, it seemed she was leaning towards the second option.

"Bill," she said, her voice a sultry purr. "My name is Vanessa. I've heard so much about you. I'm looking forward to seeing if the rumours are true."

I smirked, trying to focus on the game. "Depends on which rumours you've heard."

She laughed, a sound that was both seductive and dangerous. "All the good ones, of course."

The first few rounds went by quickly. It didn't take long for me to dominate the table, and for alcohol to dominate me. As the game went on, that Vanessa girl turned out to be a decent opponent. The other players watched in awe, but she held her own game, matching my bets and raising the stakes. The chemistry between us was noticeable, and I could feel the pull of temptation.

As the game continued, she leaned closer, her perfume intoxicating. "You know, I was thinking we could find somewhere quieter after this. Somewhere we could... talk."

I felt the familiar thrill of the chase. Women like her used to be a part of the life I lived. The car race, the thrill, and heartbreak suddenly pulled me back into my old self.

I took a deep breath, holding myself back. "I appreciate the offer, Vanessa, but I can't."

She raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. "Really? A man like you?"

"What makes you think that you'd be my choice tonight? I have someone better," I said, my voice steady despite the doubts inside me.

For a moment, Vanessa's confident facade cracked, and she looked almost vulnerable. Then she shrugged, her smile returning. "Your loss," she said, turning her attention back to the game.

The rest of the night passed in a blur. I barely left the table, getting more dizzy with each drink. Vanessa, still visibly obsessed with me, offered to pull a line. And I couldn't say no. Once the high from the drugs kicked in, I suddenly felt like myself again - confident, powerful.

Georg clapped me on the back again. "Good to have you around, Bill."

"Sure," I said, raising my glass. "For the old times!"

The smelly room was spinning my head around, so I decided to step outside to smoke alone in the fresh air. I sent Tom yet another text: "I am loosing it."

He replied instantly " You will get over this, I know!"

Suddenly, I heard footsteps behind me. Vanessa. She caught up quickly, her desperation making her look funny.

"Bill, wait," she said, grabbing my arm. "You don't get to just walk away."

I turned to face her, loosing my patience. "I told you. I'm not interested."

She stepped closer, her grip tightening. "You don't understand. I've been looking for someone like you for a long time. I'm not going to let this go."

Anger flared in me, sharp and sudden. I could feel the old patterns taking over, the urge to lash out, to take control. The feeling of power was addictive, sending a rush of adrenaline through me. I took a step closer, my voice low and dangerous. "Let. Go."

Vanessa's eyes widened, and for a moment, fear flickered across her face. But she didn't let go. "No. I know who you are, what you are. And I'm not afraid of you."

Those words sounded sexier than I wanted them to be. The rush of power aroused me in the most twisted way. The thrill of taking control over her made me clench my fists.

I stepped even closer, my face inches from hers, my voice a growl. "You should be."

For a heartbeat, it felt like the old me was taking over, the part of me that fed off fear and power. I could feel my pulse quickening, my body reacting to her.

But as soon I took her by the neck and pulled her towards me, I saw Mila's porcelain, fragile face in front of my eyes. Flashbacks to every time I ran to protect Mila but couldn't from predators just like me.

I pulled Vanessa away, with force that made her lose balance and fall to the ground. "You wanted to see if the rumors are true?"

I looked down on her with an evil smile. "Run! Before I hurt you so bad, that pretty face of yours will never look the same!"

The struggle inside me was intense, a war between who I was and who I wanted to be. If she didn't run now, I might lose my inner fight. Luckily, she immediately took off.

I went back into the house and looked for Gustav. "I am going to sleep, finish the game without me."

I locked the room door and got into bed. The world around me was spinning as I closed my eyes. I hoped I'd see Mila in my dreams, but as the nightmare I was, I was not sure If I even deserve that.