Free The Big Blind (Nadia Wolf) by Nicolette Pierce

a trail down to my shoulders.
    “Neither are you.”
    “Is the wager still on?”
    The lights buzzed and then flickered on. I squinted at the sudden brightness trying to move away from Caleb.
    The man next to us frowned at me then Caleb. “What the hell, man? I thought you were into hot chicks.”
    Caleb was about to answer when a gasp from the audience startled us. The one million dollar cash prize was missing . . . and a man was sprawled on the floor.

Chapter 6

    Caleb stood me up so he could move out of the chair. He gave me one last kiss. “Meet me at the bar later. I have a feeling I might get wrapped up in this.”
    I nodded.
    The tournament director escorted the audience into a separate room off to the side. The police arrived at the site within fifteen minutes. They began to let people go one-by-one after they gave their personal information and were asked a couple of questions. I waited until the end.
    I watched as Caleb talked with Greyson Miller, Jason Biggs, and the tournament director. Each one was wearing a different version of the same stunned expression.
    From where I stood, I could see the medical team move around the man on the floor. A slight gap gave me a glimpse of the man. I noticed a cowboy hat and realized it was the man with the cowboy hat from the previous day; the one Remy said was bad news. He was lying on the floor, but there wasn’t any blood. The EMTs moved him onto a gurney and rushed him out. I wonder if he had a heart attack.
    I gave my information to the police and was released. I headed to the bar to wait for Caleb.
     
    Caleb spotted me at the bar after he was finished with the police and the casino management. He quickened his pace to dodge Jessica. She was hot on his tail buzzing in his ear. I could hear her terse comments from where I sat.
    “You’re going to ruin your reputation. You can’t kiss a regular girl on air.”
    He stopped abruptly. “That’s funny. I was under the impression I could kiss who I wanted. A man died tonight, and my prize was stolen. Can’t you give me a break?”
    “Not when you have a reputation to uphold.”
    “That’s a reputation you made for me not one I wanted,” he said, but a small smile escaped. “It was fun in the beginning.” He turned from Jessica. “Nadia, let’s go.”
    I grabbed my purse. “Where are we going?”
    “To celebrate, of course.” His lips curled into a sly grin. “If you’re still up for the wager, we can start our weekend.”
    I followed him through the casino. “So, the guy is dead?”
    “Yeah, I think so. The medical team wasn’t getting a response.”
    “What happened to your money?”
    “Oh, that’s no problem. I already have a check.”
    “Did you know the guy who died?”
    “A little. He’s a hot headed player.”
    “Remy told me he was bad news.”
    “Who’s Remy.”
    “Greyson Miller’s driver.”
    Caleb stopped in his tracks. “Is there something you want to tell me?”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Are you seeing Greyson?”
    “That’s none of your business.”
    “It is if you’re coming with me this weekend.”
    “If I was seeing Greyson, I would hope he’d recognize me at the event you dragged me to.”
    “Good point.” He slid his hand down my back drawing me closer. “However, I barely recognized you when you were in a dress and all dolled up.”
    “But you did.”
    Caleb leaned in and nipped my bottom lip. “You never answered about this weekend.”
    “You said if I watched the final table you’d forget about the wager.”
    “The problem is I can’t forget about the wager.”
    “Those are your hormones talking.”
    “Most likely but they’re telling me to make a new wager.”
    “No way! There isn’t any thing I want that would make me wager with you .”
    “I’ll take that challenge.” He grinned as he ushered me out the door.
    The valet jogged to Caleb’s Porsche. He tossed Caleb the keys after he parked at the curb and hopped out. Caleb dropped the keys