You are following the perspective of Detective Jaden Connor
I sit at a poker table in a parlour sprawling L.A manor, All around me is Hollywood's poshest and prettiest people mingling and gossiping, I hold my head high in pride at my status.
I flash a cocky grin and lean forward, pulling the huge pot of poker chips into my pile "so, who's ready for another hand?" I question the celebs, leaning back in my chair already knowing the outcome. Only two players are still in the game. Multiple award winning actor Ryan Woodstill, tall guy with bright brown eyes, a slight Spanish accent and a jaw so sharp it could kill. "You mean ready to wipe that smug look off your face Connor? Hell yeah I am" Ryan states with a smile and a lifted eyebrow.
"Big talk for someone who's lost the last three hands" Katherine Burnie teases playfully, she's currently Hollywood's hottest model, raven hair that fell in a waving mass to her shoulders, dressed is a dashing dark blue dress, she looks as though she was walking the red carpet.
"He's just waiting until I let my guard down, isn't that right hotshot?" I banter towards the actor who rolls his eyes in response, I've spent many nights with Ryan and Katherine in friendly competition. "Just deal the cards" Ryan says impatiently.
With that, I deal the two remaining players a pair of cards then mine, letting my cockiness hit its peak I raise blindly, as a world known detective I've learnt to take risks. Sure, I could've looked at my cards but I like surprises. I leave my cards flat on the table and smirk "I raise, a grand"
Ryan's eyes pop at my confidence, absolutely befuddled by my risk, Katherine on the other hand gives a small huff of disbelief. "You're not even gonna look at them?" She questions, eyeing my faced down cards.
"Nope, I have a feeling I don't need to" I answer boldly, I've been paying attention to their actions and details and if I'm correct, winning is virtually a guarantee.
"Why not?" Ryan chimes in, I lean forward in my chair and cross my arms over each other, giving only a smirk.
"Cause he's dangerously cocky, that's why" The model answers for me, Katherine raises an eyebrow at me for a moment then a smile as if she's accepting my bluff. I let out a slight chuckle of her description of me. "As my mother used to say 'fuck playing it safe, it's more fun when it's risky' and I completely agree with her" I comment to the celebrities, earning amused noises from them.
"Well here's a risk for you, I see you and raise another seven grand on top" He announces proudly, Ryan glances at Katherine for her response trying to impress her but she is oblivious to his eyes as her eyes glue on her card, wheel turning in her brain.
Katherine sighs disappointedly, as she brushes a string of hair out of her face, tucking it behind her ear. "I fold" she declares and she drops her cards on the table but keeps interest in the game between me and the actor.
"I see your raise Ryan, and just for fun, I raise again." I declare proudly as the actors eyes stare into mine, like he's trying to read my mind, Katherine's gaze remains on me the whole time as she gently bites her lip.
"Are you fucking serious? You haven't even looked at your cards yet" Ryan runs his fingers through his now frizzy hair that originally, at the beginning of the night, was brushed back neatly. His accent getting slightly thicker when he curses.
I only shrug as Katherine chews on her plump lips in anticipation, rest her oval face in her hands. The actor scrunches his nose slightly as he looks at his cards, debating in his head, whether to call or not. I notice during our banter, this is the first time he's looked at his cards about three times, meaning he probably got something pretty good but not great enough to remember. But still, better than mine.
"It's not too late to fold buddy, you sure you wanna go through with this, what would your girlfriend say if you lost all this money?" I attempt to psych him out, with luck, I hope to throw him off his game.
Ryan then looks at his cards, then back to me, then once more to his cards. "Shit.." he mutters under his breath as he rubs his forehead. "I fold" he heavily sighs, throwing his cards down, taking a sip of some expensive Champagne served in a tall, skinny glass.
"Like taking candy from a baby, a very rich baby with the chin of a superhero" I smugly comment as the described actor sits, looking defeated. He's always been a sore loser.
"So, what were your cards, Mr Connor?" Katherine enquires, tapping the table anxiously, one finger after another in a row. Ryan also leans a little, wanting to know the answer as well "a gentleman never tells, Ms Burnie" I answer.
"Damn, you're full of it. I shouldn't have folded three hands ago, I had a-"
"A king and a low card, four or five, I'm guessing. Both heart" I interrupt the model and reveal her possibilities, her lips part slightly in surprise.
"How the hell did you figure that out?" Even though it was a question her tone made it sound like a demand. I quickly take a sip of what's left of my Margarita, which was now room temperature, served in a simple glass.
"Your eyes dilated every time you drew suited pocket cards but you bit your lip when the last card was a diamond, one short of a Flush" I explain as she gives me a coy expression.
"So you've just been looking at my eyes and lips this whole time, Detective?" She flirts, slightly tilting her head to the side as she mentions my title, Ryan rolls his eyes as observes.
I reveal a charming smile "can you blame me?" I rhetorically ask, as I glance at said lips, they were painted with sliver glitter from her lipstick but that's not why they distracted me. Katherine lets out a subtle breath and smiles. "I suppose not, I'd be a hypocrite if I said I wasn't distracted my someone tonight too" she emphasises the word 'distracted' lacing it with a alluring tone.
"You really know how to turn on the charm, I guess that's why you're the top detective" Ryan chirps in, taking the tension away from Katherine and I. He knows what he's done as he gives me a 'take that' look with his expression.
"You know, I still have to thank you. Because of you the press didn't get to make it a huge thing and giant social media curious, Ryan was right. You're one of the good ones." Katherine admits as she swirls her half empty Grasshopper in her delicate thin wine glass. "But what could you possibly want in return?" She adds.
"A tip here, a lead there, celebs like you and Ryan know things, you know? Secrets. When you're busting your balls with this cities most powerful criminals, it helps to have friends in high places." I confess to them, Ryan crosses his arms with a nod, agreeing with my statement.
Katherine smiles at me, a smile I've seen in a dozen magazines and screens, but somehow is much more seductive in person. "Well, you're welcome to know all my secrets"
Feeling slightly uncomfortable Ryan clears his throat "ahem, I'm gonna leave you two. Plus, I'm out of alcohol and I wanna mingle with people who don't look like they wanna a exchange a large amount of saliva" He half jokes and stands, walking off, Katherine and I watch him leave.
Katherine turns her body in her seat, facing me. "Good, I was hoping to get you alone eventually tonight Detective." Her voice was like silk.
"All you had to was ask" I reply to my gorgeous friend whose hand was on top of mine that was resting on my thigh.
