Book two of 'The Vengeance Duology'
Five years ago, the lads and I made the biggest mistake of our lives-a reckless decision that shattered everything.
We destroyed what mattered most, but my deepest regret is how much I hurt her.
Every moment of pa...
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*TW: Mention of Torture, Rape, Abuse, Starvation, & Forced Operation*
We're all gathered around the poker table in Valentina and Jacques' apartment. Cigars are lit, glasses of whiskey sit next to poker chips, and the soft shuffle of cards is the only sound in the room for a moment.
"Raise," Nicco says, sliding a pile of chips to the center with that cocky smirk of his.
"Of course you're raising," Theo mutters, eyeing his cards like they personally insulted him. "Can't you bluff like a normal person?"
"I don't bluff," Nicco shoots back with a grin, "I win."
"That's because you're a cheat," Lucas adds, raising an eyebrow. He tosses his cards down and leans back in his chair, exhaling a stream of smoke. "I'm out."
Theo snorts, throwing in his own chips. "You're just mad 'cause you've lost three rounds in a row, mate."
Jacques looks at his cards quietly, calculating. His eyes flick up briefly to catch mine, then back down to the hand he's holding. He's always hard to read, the strategist of the group. He shifts in his seat, throwing in enough chips to call Nicco's bet. "I'll see that."
I look at my own hand—decent, but not great. Still, I'm in. I push a few more chips forward, glancing at Gio, who's staring at his cards like they're a puzzle he's trying to solve. He scratches his chin and sighs, finally folding.
"Man, I can't deal with this," Gio mutters, leaning back in his chair, arms crossed. "You're all too smug. Nicco's probably already got us beat."
"You wound me," Nicco says, looking overly dramatic, one hand on his chest. "I'm just naturally talented."
Theo rolls his eyes, a small grin tugging at his lips. "Yeah, naturally full of it."
Jacques chuckles softly, taking a sip of his drink. "You know, you all talk a lot of trash for a bunch of guys losing money."
"Hey, I'm still in this," Theo pipes up, holding up his cards. "Haven't lost yet."
"You won't last long," I say, tossing in another chip, raising the stakes. "Nicco always gets overconfident when he's got a good hand. That's when you take him out."
Nicco's smirk falters for just a second, but it's enough. He narrows his eyes at me, but I can see the wheels turning in his head. "Yeah? I think you're just trying to psych me out, Alessio."
I shrug, leaning back in my chair, letting the smoke from my cigar swirl around me. "Maybe."
Jacques takes another look at his cards, his fingers tapping lightly on the table. "I'll call." He tosses his chips in.
Theo, shaking his head, glances at me. "You really think Nicco's bluffing?"
