Call It Business ( Book 3 of 'Call It' Series )

Chapter 14 | Deal with the Devil

And she had no idea how, but there was a door that opened to a secret garden even if they were supposed to be underground. So, one could say there was some magic in action.

Throwing the coin and catching it swiftly, Macy glanced up at the villain, who was watching her a little funnily as if he tried to read her mind and found out what she was thinking, and for some reason, it felt as if it was important what she was thinking.

Honestly? She wasn't thinking at all, especially when he looked at her like that.

Regardless, she licked her lips and shrugged, "So, is there any reason why you didn't tell me you have a panic room, where you can play poker during an apocalyptic event?"

A slow smile broke across his face as if that was exactly the comment he was waiting for, "Wait until I tell you the story of how someone got murdered here almost thirty years ago."

Macy gasped at that new information, jerking her head back, "Murdered?"

"Yes," Gerard nodded, definitely knowing he got her full attention with his jade gaze narrowing on her glowing eyes in amusement, "I heard it was quite a scandal that dragged pregnant Judith Blanchard here to spend her summer by playing Cluedo." He grimaced, "Perhaps, that's why she doesn't like me."

A startled laugh escaped from her mouth before she shook her head, focusing on the important detail without even realizing, "She loves you. She just has a very questionable way of showing it."

"Love and like aren't the same thing," Gerard said with a low chuckle as if he wasn't bothered by it at all and clearly was going to add more to that statement before a tuxedoed man emerged in front of them and whisked away his attention. 

"Mr. Blanchard," He saluted him with a formal smile, "We have your table ready. Are you sure you don't want to play tonight or should I keep a poker table reserved?"

"No need," Gerard replied, his previously soft, husky tone that he'd used on her replacing itself with a cold, business one so naturally that Macy guessed he wasn't even aware of it, "Has Yves Ward arrived?"

"Not yet," The tuxedoed host replied, starting to stroll over the series of blood red, velvet booths curving around three small, golden high tables at the corner. Each area with crescent booths had been free to enclose with lavish, black drapery, making a setting for privacy.

They didn't bother to untie the draperies as they got their seats at the booth, and left an art deco gold chair for Yves Ward to take. Macy hadn't exactly noticed the waitress in the shimmering dress came to take their orders. All of her thoughts were helplessly whirling around what the villain previously said:

"Love and like aren't the same thing."

She wanted to protest at that.

Yet, thinking back to her own father, she arrived at the brutal conclusion that he was right.

Her eyes bounced to the waitress as she absently heard the order Gerard was giving for her, the name of the cocktail bringing her back to the glittery reality as her mouth opened in protest, "No, no. Not Bloody Mary. Can I have a gin cocktail instead?" Turning her head, she fired a lopsided smirk at her fake husband, who seemed surprised by the change of her order with an arched eyebrow, and she waved the coin, "It goes with the theme."

Gods knew she was ignoring everything that might remind her of Matthias Clermont too, which was useless, really. They were in a casino, where Gatsby could walk at any given minute for the love of ancient gods!

As the waitress went to go and get their orders, she leaned back onto the velvet sofa and glanced up at Gerard with an exhausted smile, going back to the previous subject, "You know, it's kinda cool your mother tried to solve a murder mystery when she was pregnant with you." She mumbled, "For the longest time, I thought mine was out there, murdering people when she was pregnant with me."