Leah's POV
The dimly lit room was filled with the sound of shuffling cards and murmured conversation.
The poker table was the centerpiece of the room, and at the moment, it was unoccupied.
As I sat next to the table, Mick took the seat in front of me. The other two players took their seats as well.
Lucas sat next to me and said, "Leah, I know you're in a bad mood today. And people can't win if they're in a bad mood. So why don't you let me play for you?"
I didn't want to talk to him at all. But after what happened in the lavatory, I was still terrified. And it was nice to have a familiar face around, sitting next to me, supporting me physically and emotionally.
I took a glance at him and said, "If you want to remain sitting next to me, be quiet."
Lucas looked a bit upset, but he didn't let it out. He shifted his eyes on Mick like he was about to eat him alive.
Obviously, he didn't like his wife sitting at the table, playing strip poker.
Mick was dressed in a sharp suit with his hair slicked back.
He looked much more confident than he used to be, with a shit-eating grin on his face.
I, on the other hand, was dressed more casually, with my hair pulled back in a tight ponytail.
My face was blank, and my eyes fixed on her cards.
As the chips were shuffled around the table, Mick leaned in.
His eyes flickered with anticipation. He nodded to the dealer, and the dealer dealt the cards, each one a mystery waiting to be revealed.
Mick peeked at his cards and raised the bet with a confident smirk.
I called his bluff and raised him back.
Lucas looked surprised as I handled those cards expertly.
"Where did you learn how to play poker?" Lucas asked.
I stared at him and placed a finger on his lips to shut him up.
Why couldn't he just be more like Finn, just sat there quietly and watched me bluff?
The tension in the room grew palpable as the other two players folded, leaving me and Mick staring each other down.
The dealer laid out the first three community cards, the flop, with a flourish.
Mick smirked again, seemingly pleased with what he saw.
I remained stoic with my expression unchanged.
I checked, and Mick confidently bet again.
The fourth community card, the turn, was revealed.
My face finally betrayed a hint of emotion, but Mick didn't notice. He was too focused on his own cards and the growing pile of chips in the center of the table.
Mick bet again, and I, with a small smile, called.
The final community card, the river, was turned over, and Mick's face fell as he realized his hand was not as strong as he had thought. He hesitated, but then, he pushed all his remaining chips into the pot, hoping to bluff his way to victory.
"You know, Miss Lewyn, from now on, whenever I close my eyes, I will be able to see your naked body in my mind," Mick smirked.
I didn't flinch.
I calmly pushed all her chips in as well, confident in my hand.
"Only in your dream, Mick. Only in your dream," I said.
Mick's face paled as he realized he had been outplayed.
The tension in the room snapped as I triumphantly laid down her cards, revealing a flush.
Mick slumped back in his chair, defeated.
I leaned back in her chair, a small smile playing at the corners of my lips.
Mick scowled, clearly unhappy with the outcome.
But I remained composed, gathering up my winnings without a word.
As Mick stood up from the table, I watched him out of the corner of my eye. His body language was tense, his shoulders hunched as he stalked towards the door. Meanwhile, I remained relaxed and confident.
"Nice playing," Mick said, with a forced smile.
I nodded my smile widening slightly. "Now, bring Damian and his sister Uma to me."
"Good. I will release them to you." Mick narrowed his eyes and picked up his phone.
"Seth, deliver the kid and the girl to the mansion now," Mick commanded to the speaker.
"You mean... to the mansion, Alpha?" the voice on the phone asked.
"Yes." Mick had a cruel smirk on his face.
"Right now?" the voice sounded dubious.
"Seth, are you fucking kidding me?"
"Right away, Alpha," the voice replied.
After Mick hung up the phone, he stared at me.
"Where did you learn to play poker? Anyone taught you about it?" Mick asked.
"It's none of your business," I said, walking out of the casino room.
I didn't like the smirk on Mick's face. I knew I had to see Damian and Uma right now.
Lucas followed me out.
"Leah, wait. Where are you going?" Lucas asked.
"I... I don't know... I had a bad feeling. I need to see Damian right now..." I mumbled.
Then, I saw Jorah rushing toward me.
"What's going on, Jorah?" Lucas asked.
Jorah took a glance at me. Then he leaned forward and whispered something to Lucas' ear.
"What are you talking about? Say it loud!" I asked. I didn't like the look on Jorah's face. I didn't like it at all.
Lucas gave Jorah a dark look and walked toward me, opening his arms to hold me against his chest.
"What's going on, Lucas?! Tell me!" I struggled to look up at Lucas' face, but he seemed to be determined to shield the outside world from me.
"Lucas... Tell me what's going on..." I protested in a muffled voice. "Has something happened to Damian and Uma?!"
Lucas didn't say anything. He just carried me up in his arms and walked forward.
"Lucas! Answer me! What happened?!"
Just when I was about to lose it, I saw them.
Two bodies, covered by a white sheet, are placed on the ground side by side.
"No... No... This isn't happening! Who are they?! Who... Why there are two bodies on the ground?! Where are Damian and Uma?!" I cried out loud.
Tears blurred my vision. I struggled to wipe them off my face, but more tears just kept falling down my cheeks.
"They're gone, Leah." Lucas lowered his head to kiss my hair, trying to calm me down.
"What do you mean by they're gone?! Where did they go?! I need to see them!" My voice started getting dry.
At that time, I heard Mick's vicious laughter from behind -
"I promised to release Damian and his sister, but I didn't guarantee to keep them alive. You took my father's life, I took two of your friends' lives. But this isn't over, Leah. How dare you sit at the same table with me and play smart in front of me? I will make sure that you pay for what you've done to me, to my father, and to Clara!"