Chapter 83

“Together, then?” Sebastian suggested, too excited now to care what anybody thought.

Angela’s shoulders lifted in a seemingly nonchalant shrug but he detected a flash of something in her eyes. Surely not panic. Was she afraid, suddenly, that she might lose? Her hand trembled slightly as she placed her cards down just before his. So she was worried. She had every right to be, came the devilish thought when he saw her cards. Four nines was a good hand. But not nearly good enough.

“Hope you’re not bluffing, pal,” Charles said as Sebastian exposed his own incredible hand.

Angela sucked in sharply whilst Charles openly gaped.

“My God!” he exclaimed. “A royal routine. You know, I’ve never seen one of those before.”

“I have,” Ali said drily. “How wicked of you, Sebastian, to trick Angela into such a wager with such a hand.”

“Angela didn’t have to agree,” Sebastian retorted, his elation refusing to give way to guilt. “It was up to her to gauge what kind o