Chapter 15: Poker
1348 Words
"So, do you recognise this man? His name might be Diablo. " Matt asked as he sat on a sofa in Alannah’s and Kurt’s home. He had handed the portrait to his friends.
"I am afraid I don’t. What about you, love?" Alannah asked as she looked at her husband.
"And you said that Lisa was involved with this man?" Kurt said, shocked.
"Yes, what do you know?" Matt pressed. He could tell that his old friend knew something.
"His name is Roman Regison, and he is particularly nasty. He was a nobody until he made his fortune in an illegal poker ring. But he has been very quiet recently, " Kurt explained.
"Can you make that much money from a game?" Alannah asked.
"Absolutely! There are some serious players, and winning pots can be millions of pounds."
"Do you think maybe Lisa borrowed money from him and she can't now pay him back?" Alannah asked.
Kurt shrugged and said, "That is the most likely scenario."
There was a knock on the door, making Alannah and Matt get up. "That will be her. Do I look OK? " Matt asked nervously.
Alannah smiled and said, "You look handsome as ever!"
Alannah opened the door to see Simon, Lisa, and Emily, who appeared stoic and wary. She noticed the scarf around Lisa’s neck and instantly felt a pang of sympathy. "Lisa and Emily, please come in. I am Alannah Blackwood. "
The trio walked in, and Lisa said, "Thank you. I am sorry that we are causing trouble. We will be out of your hair as soon as we can. "
"Nonsense, we have plenty of room here. Plus, a friend of Matt’s is always welcome here. " Alannah said as she strategically guided Emily and Simon to the sofas, allowing Matt some alone time.
"Are you OK, amoreco?" Matt asked softly.
"I woke up in a strange place and found out I was in the Blackwoods building! So, no, I am not OK !" Lisa hissed.
"You are here for your safety. A man pinned you to the wall. " Matt argued.
"I can handle Roman! You have no right, no right at all! " Lisa said, angrily.
"Oh amoreco, that is where you are wrong. You are my partner, and it is my first duty to protect you! " Matt said, staring intensely into Lisa’s grey eyes. Lisa could feel herself melting in his amber-brown eyes.
"You are a major pain in the arse, you know!" Lisa huffed. Matt smiled, as he knew he had won her over. He kissed her on the forehead and said, "Come, let me introduce you to my friends."
"I am not good with new people!" Lisa mumbled as Matt pulled her gently towards the sofa. When he got there, he wrapped an arm around Lisa’s waist and pulled her into his side.
"Everyone, this is Lisa Mitchel. Lisa, this is Alannah and Kurt Blackwood. Some of my oldest friends, " Matt said, his voice filled with pride at introducing Lisa. Lisa blushed and looked down, embarrassed at the situation.
"Stop teasing the poor girl! Lisa, please come and sit down. We were just talking to Emily, " Kurt said as Matt and Lisa sat down.
"Emily? Do you know sign?" Lisa asked, and automatically began to sign.
"No, but Simon does," Matt said as he casually put his left arm around Lisa’s shoulders. The touch made Lisa go bright red.
"Smooth, very smooth!" Emily signed, making Simon smile. He was wise enough not to translate that to the group.
"Tea?" Alannah asked, and she went to the kitchen to make some. Lisa looked at the table and saw the picture of Roman and frowned. She signed quickly to Emily, "Be careful, I don’t like this!" Emily smiled and nodded. Kurt saw the exchange and guessed what it was about.
"Do you know Roman?" Kurt asked bluntly.
"Yes, unfortunately, I do," Lisa confirmed.
"He is not a good man, amoreco," Matt growled as he tightened his arm around Lisa protectively.
"I told you I could deal with him!" Lisa hissed.
"I am sure you can, but why not let us help? I know you don’t know us, but we do have experience of dealing with men like Roman! " Alannah said as she passed everyone the cup of tea they ordered.
"Yes, I think you need to know who you are dealing with. Roman made his fortune through illegal gambling. Roman was not very good at it, but he found a man nicknamed Diablo to play in high-stakes poker games. Diablo dominated the poker world for a couple of years before disappearing. Most people think Diablo wanted more money and that Roman killed him. So, you see, he is not a man to mess with, " Kurt explained. Lisa almost choked on her tea when she heard the name Diablo. Emily, on the other hand, was desperately trying not to laugh.
"Amoreco, we know that you have borrowed money from this man. Please tell us how much, so we can sort it out. " Matt said.
"Borrowed money?" Lisa said, confused.
"Yes, that is why he attacked you. We do not blame you or judge you. We have all been desperate, " Alannah said softly.
"I have not borrowed money from that arsehole! I am not that stupid!" Lisa said, almost offended at the notion.
"Then why did he attack you?" Matt asked.
Emily was madly signing away, and Simon looked shocked. "Emily, stop it!" Lisa hissed, but it was too late. She could tell Simon knew.
"You are the Diablo?" Simon said, stunned, and everyone looked shocked. Everyone, apart from Emily. Who was smiling broadly.
"They will not drop it unless you give them something." Emily signed, and Lisa nodded.
"Yes, I am, or more accurately, was the Diablo. Roman wants me to come back. He has obviously run through the money I gave him." Lisa said with a shrug.
"Wait a minute, you're the Diablo, the well-known player in the world of syndicate gambling?" Kurt said, unable to hide his surprise.
"Yes. I came here, poor and desperate. I got a waitressing job at Roman’s club. I was clearing glasses in the back room when Roman used a night with me as collateral. " Lisa explained, and Matt growled. "Anyway, I wanted in, and I cleared the table. Roman became my boss, and for two years I played poker."
"Why are you not doing it now? You must have been making some serious money! " Kurt asked.
"I had enough. The stakes were getting too high and all I wanted…was enough money for a safe home for Emily and to be able to pay for her private education. She is smart and needs to be stretched. That can only happen in a deaf private school. " Lisa said, her voice breaking with emotion. Lisa took a minute before continuing. "Roman also wanted more from me. Things that I could never give him, but he was becoming more insistent. One night, he attacked me. I managed to fend him off and I disappeared with Emily. He has obviously found me again! I am sorry Matt, I did warn you that I am not who you thought."
"Amoreco," Matt said softly, kissing her head.
"Well, I can’t say I am not shocked about your revelations, but it explains a lot. Thank you for trusting us, and remind me to invite you to our next poker night. " Kurt said thoughtfully and Lisa nodded.
"The question is, what are we going to do now?" Alannah asked.
"It is a simple matter of warning him off. I will take care of that. " Kurt said, dismissively.
"Warning him off? Kurt, please don’t, I don’t want you to get in trouble with the law! " Lisa said.
Matt smiled and said, "Do not worry Lisa, I said that I would protect you. I meant that. "
"Oh, Matt, you sound like someone from the syndicate! " Lisa said jokingly, and everyone looked awkwardly.
- Writer
