BLOCK: Social Media #3 by JA Huss Page A

of my first name, like we’re friends, sets me back. "You’re so used to getting what you want. So used to paying people off with money. You walked right into this. Come on, put your chips on the tie and let’s play this out like men."
    I have no choice. None at all. I push all one point two million dollars’ worth of chips into the tie bet and hold my breath.
    "No more bets," the dealer calls. "Last hand, all bets on tie." She waves her arm across the table and then slides the first card out of the shoe and places it face up on the player’s side. Ace.
    She repeats this for the bank. Ten. Which is a zero in punto banco.
    The player’s second card is an eight. "Fuck," I say loudly. That gives the player a score of nine, the highest score possible and an almost automatic win.
    The bank’s next card is a five.
    "Bank score of five requires a third card." The dealer swipes out another card from the shoe and flips it over.
    My whole worlds stops. I am still holding my breath, unable to exhale the stale oxygen coursing through my veins. Why the fuck did I let myself get into this situation?
    How could I bet a woman in a card game?
    I swear to God, I’ll never do it again. I’ll never be this asshole again. Just let me win my—
    "Four! Bank has nine, player has nine." The dealer looks up at me. "It’s a tie! You win! Congratulations, winners!"
    I look over at Li and he’s smiling. "I told you, Asher. We’re lucky together. Let’s do business. I’ll call you next week. Your Grace is down in the private villa bar with her friend. I’ll have Carl take you to her."
    He shakes my hand as I try to understand what just happened. My mind is blank. My whole body is in overdrive, my heart is beating wildly, I’m sweating, and relieved and stressed out all at once.
    I nod my head at him as I walk to the door, leaving all my money on the table. Someone will take care of it for me. I’m too shaken up to even think about the money.
    All I think about is how close I came to losing her.
    I can’t lose her.
    I will never let that happen again.

Chapter Seven

    "O NE minute I’m enjoying my night being a good-luck charm for a filthy rich old guy and the next fucking Vaughn Asher is ruining my night." I take a long sip of my giant margarita. "Can you believe that asshole followed me to Vegas? I’m working and he’s gonna ruin my job."
    "Mmm-hmm," the bartender says absently. "I hate it when Vaughn Asher shows up on his movie premiere night and follows my ass around Vegas. Fucking sucks."
    I narrow my eyes at him. "Are you making fun of me?"
    "Grace!"
    I look across the bar and spy Kristi, waving at me frantically.
    "Ah, fuck. And her." I point to Kristi, weaving her way through the crowd. "She’s supposed to marry Johnny Blazen tomorrow, but, pfft. I don’t see it."
    The bartender stops washing the glass. "So let me get this straight. You" —he points his wet glass at me—"think you’re being stalked by Vaughn Asher. And she" —he points to Kristi who is almost at the bar now—"thinks she’s marrying Johnny Blazen tomorrow."
    I take another long draw on my margarita. "That’s right."
    "No more drinks for you."
    "Grace!" Kristi says as she places her hand on my shoulder as she tries to catch her breath.
    "Let me guess," the bartender says, pointing at her stomach. "That’s Johnny Blazen’s love child you’re carrying, right?"
    "Oh my God, is he psychic?" Kristi squeals.
    "You’re cut off too."
    "I’m not drinking!"
    "Out, both of you. You’re both on drugs."
    "Come on, Grace. Come back to the rehearsal party with me, please. I need your support tonight. Please. His family is so unhappy with me. They’re not excited about this at all. I need you." She gives me a pouty face that would make a six-year-old proud.
    "Kristi, I told you what I think. Marrying him is a big mistake."
    "Why though? Please, if you know something I don’t, just tell me. Because I seriously love him, Grace."
    "Well, of course you do, he’s a