The Mafia’s Princess

4. Royal Flush

“Well, I’ll deal you in then.” Giovanni started shuffling some cards.

“Not until she adds to the pot.” Nìkolai scoffed out to his brother. Then I watched as his eyes shot to mine, “It’s twenty thousand for a starting bet.”

I smirked as I stuffed my hand into my backpack, pulling 20 grand out and throwing it onto the table.

“Deal me in then.” Gio just laughed, pouring himself another whiskey and downing it.

They must think I’m a broke girl who has no idea what she’s doing, but they are so wrong. I’m a multimillionaire and I keep getting richer every day.

I would never be broke.

“Who just has a backpack full of cash with them?” Johnny chuckled as he downed his drink too.

“Somebody who knows the importance of needing money for bets like this.” Some of the men chuckled at my words, finding them funny.

Giovanni dealt us all two cards facing down.

“We play Texas hold ‘em, sweetheart. Is that alright with you?” I nodded my head at Gio, letting him continue.

I took my cards and peaked at them, seeing that I had one jack of spades and an ace of spades. Internally I smiled, knowing I could have a royal flush if the cards were right on the table.

“Who wants to start the bets?” Gio asked out

I watched as men added money to the pot, starting at just 10 grand. I pulled a stack of 10 grand out and threw it in the pile.

Gio laid three cards on the table, letting us all take a good look. There was a ten of spades, a two of hearts and a king of spades.

I was a lot closer to that royal flush than I thought.

“Alright, who’s still in it? Bet your money ladies!” Gio cheered, adding more money to the pile.

I looked and saw more men adding to the pile, even Johnny. I pulled another stack of cash out of my bag and added it to the pile.

Nìkolai stared at me from across the table with his cards in his hands. He was staring into my soul, searching for something that I knew nothing about.

Maybe he was trying to see if I had a hand or not.

“So how did you know the old bastard, Alfonso?” Gio asked

“I used to dress up and whip him. He was a kinky old man who liked it rough.”

Gio choked on his drink, laughing so hard. His actions made the others laugh as Johnny glared at me.

“So you’d f**k an old man but won’t let me take you home?”

“Alfonso knew how to please, something you know nothing about by the looks of it.” I said back to Johnny, making them all laugh around us.

Johnny grunted as he rolled his eyes.

“You really f****d the old man?” I shook my head no to Gio’s question, giggling slightly.

“So how did you know him?”

“He was family, like the grandfather I never had.” I said back, thinking about all the times Alfonso took care of me.

This was one of the places I ran to when I needed a safe space. He took good care of me, and I did the same when I could. He always had problems with gangs running a muck around here. I took care of that problem for him, bringing more money in as the days went on.

“I’m sorry for your loss then.” I gave a small smile towards Gio, appreciating that.

Gio uncovered another card, adding it to the other three cards on the table. It was a seven of hearts, making others scoff out and throw their cards on the table.

It was just Gio, Johnny, Nìkolai and me who were all still in the game.

Gio added some more money to the pot, looking as if he had a good hand. I saw Nìkolai add more money in as well, making Johnny follow suit.

I pulled another stack of cash out and threw it in the pile.

“Any more bets ladies?” Gio teased

Nobody said anything, they just waited patiently for him to pull another card. I watched as he pulled another card and placed it face up. It was a queen of spades.

Bingo.

Johnny threw his hand down, not even attempting to try. “I ain’t losing any more money to you fuckers tonight.” He had on a sour face, making me smirk.

“Good choice, I’m sure you're short on money anyways.” I teased back, making the men chuckle out all around us.

“Says the dominatrix who gets her money by f*****g old men.” I rolled my eyes, not paying him any mind.

Gio looked at his hand again, before throwing it on the table. “I’m out, I’m done playing this shit.”

Nìkolai smirked, looking like he knew he would do that.

“Scared to lose any more money to me brother?”

“You're the one who’s rich, I just work for your ass.” Gio chuckled back. “Now put your money where your mouth is. My money’s on the new girl.”

I laughed at his words, surprised that he was betting on me.

“Don’t let me down sweetheart, I would hate to be wrong about you.”

“Regardless if I win or not, you will be wrong about me. You think you can read me, but you have no idea who I am darling.” I smirked back, making him laugh.

“I like you new girl, you should hang out with us more often.”

“Definitely not.” Nìkolai muttered back.

“I don’t enjoy your company either, love. I’m sure your brooding face gets tired of the same old expression.” Gio laughed at my words, looking stunned that I was sticking up to his brother.

“Damn princess, you are ruthless.”

“Not really Gio, I just don’t take anybody’s s**t. I was raised to hold my own.” I chuckled back, seeing the men all looking at me.

“I could kill you and make all the evidence disappear.” Nìkolai muttered as he took a sip of his liquor.

I stared him down, smirking slightly.

“You could try, but I’d give you one hell of a fight.” The men laughed around me, surprised by my words.

“Alright let’s get this over with, I’m ready to see who’s gonna win.” Gio downed another glass of his dark liquor, looking between his brother and I.

“Would you like to make another bet or fold, sweetheart?” Nìkolai smirked as he put 20 grand in the pile.

I furrowed my brows, putting on a show for them. They needed to know that I looked hesitant, that would be the only way this would work.

“I'll raise you,” I said back shakily as I grabbed 20 grand from my bag, adding it to the tall stack of money.

He looked amused, totally underestimating my hand.

“You should fold sweetheart. I would hate to have to take all of your money tonight.”

Internally I laughed, knowing it was gonna be me who was gonna take all of his money tonight. He just didn't see it coming. I’m sure it would be a shock once I flip my cards over and show him my royal flush.

“A bet is a bet darling. I don't back out, ever.”

Gio laughed at my words, looking between his brother and I, “Alright show us what you have, I'm dying to see your hands.”

“Ladies first.” Nìkolai smirked, making me shake my head no.

“I'd rather you go first, baby.” His brows raised at my words.

I'm sure he liked the way I said ‘baby’ because his eyes flashed with a look of hunger for a quick second before it was replaced with coldness. If you look into his eyes for too long, you could see the pits of hell itself.

He threw his hand down instantly, showing that he had a two of clubs and a seven of spades. It matched the two of hearts and seven of hearts for a two pair.

“A two pair, nice brother.” Gio praised, making me smirk.

“Another win for me I see.” Nìkolai reached for the pile of cash, making me laugh.

“Not so fast, handsome. You haven't even seen my hand yet.”

“This is gonna be so good.” Gio laughed as all their eyes landed on me

I threw down my cards, showing them my royal flush.

Laughter and shocked expressions went all around the table. Seeing Nìkolai with his furrowed brows and scrunched up nose was the best thing a girl could witness. He was shocked to say the least, but he tried to hide it.

“Damn sweetheart, I didn’t think you had it in you.” Gio laughed, making me giggle.

I raised from my chair and threw my bag of cash on the table.

“Bag it up and have it sent to my room will you? I don't think I could possibly carry all of that cash, it would be so heavy for my womanly arms.” My eyes bore into Nìkolai’s as I batted my eyelashes innocently. A small smirk played on his lips, letting me know he wasn’t entirely angry.

The men laughed around the table, teasing him with childish banter.

“It was a pleasure ladies, but I need to take a shower and eat something.” I took my bottle and began to walk towards the door.

“You gotta hang out with us again princess, take my number!” Gio yelled out from his seat, making me turn around.

“No thanks, I don’t plan on staying long, but it was a pleasure meeting you all.”

I opened the door and stopped once I remembered something. I turned back around, seeing that Nìkolai’s eyes were already on me. I smirked, knowing he was checking me out.

“I’m staying in 4806. I hope you don’t take too long with my money, I would hate to have to tell people that the Gambino’s are filthy thieves.”

Gio bursted out laughing as he shoved Nìkolai slightly, making him roll his eyes. I couldn't help but wink at Nìkolai before walking out of the door and closing it behind me.

I practically ran down the hall before I broke down into laughter.

I can't believe I just did that!

I noticed people looking at me like I was crazy. I didn’t even realize I had run onto the main floor of the casino, bringing lots of attention towards me. I pursed my lips as I got myself together before leaving off towards my room.

That was one hell of a night.