Chapter 492
Chapter 492:
He squeezed her bandaged hand. Skye bit back a cry of pain.
“Careful,” she managed to say, forcing a smile that felt like glass shattering. “They’re insured p>
Vance laughed, a wet, hacking sound. His hand slid from her wrist to her waist, then lower. “I like damaged goods. They try harder p>
Skye looked across the table. Lucian was watching. He wasn’t looking at his cards. He was watching Vance’s hand on her thigh. His jaw was clenched so tight a muscle feathered in his cheek.
He’s jealous, Skye realized. He treats me like property, and he hates anyone else touching his property.
A plan formed in her mind. A dangerous, reckless plan.
She didn’t pull away from Vance. She leaned into him. She picked up his whiskey glass and held it to his lips.
“Drink up, Mr. Vance,” she purred, her voice dripping with false honey. “You’ll need your courage if you’re going to beat Lucian p>
Vance beamed, his ego inflating. He took a sip, his eyes glued to her neckline. “You like a winner, don’t you, darlin p>
“I love a man who takes what he wants,” Skye said, her eyes flicking to Lucian.
Lucian snapped a card onto the table. It bent in half.
Vance, emboldened by the alcohol and Skye’s apparent submission, grew bolder. He whispered something vile in her ear and moved his hand to her neck, pulling her face toward his for a sloppy kiss.
Skye waited until the last second. Then, with the grace of a dancer, she “accidentally” tipped the whiskey glass. Ice and amber liquid poured directly into Vance’s lap.
“You stupid bitch!” Vance roared. He jumped up, shoving Skye backward. He raised his hand, his face purple with rage. “Look what you did p>
Skye cowered, making herself look small, waiting for the strike. She knew it wouldn’t land.
Before Vance’s hand could descend, a shadow moved across the table.
Lucian didn’t walk; he blurred. He caught Vance’s wrist in midair.
There was no negotiation. No warning. Lucian twisted.
CRACK.
The sound of the bone snapping was louder than the slot machines outside.
𝗧h𝗼u𝗌а𝗻𝗱𝗌 𝗈𝖿 𝘯ove𝗹s о𝘯 𝖻е.c𝗈𝗆
Vance screamed, dropping to his knees.
Lucian didn’t let go. He kicked Vance in the chest, sending the heavy man sprawling backward into a waiter carrying a tray of drinks.
“Get him out,” Lucian said to his guards. His voice was terrifyingly quiet. “And tell his lawyers the deal is off. If he comes back to Vegas, I’ll take the other hand p>
The room was dead silent. The other players stared at the floor, terrified to breathe.
Lucian turned to Skye. He grabbed her arm—the same spot Vance had touched—and dragged her out of the VIP room, into the service corridor.
He slammed her against the wall. His chest was heaving.
“You did that on purpose,” he hissed, looming over her. “You provoked him p>
Skye looked up at him, her heart racing. She had won. She had forced him to act.
“I was just being a good hostess,” she said breathlessly. “Isn’t that what you wanted? Or do you only like it when you break things p>
Lucian stared at her. The conflict in his eyes was a storm—rage, lust, and a terrifying possessiveness.
“You think you’re clever,” he growled. “You think you can manipulate me with jealousy p>
“It worked,” Skye challenged.
Lucian let out a harsh laugh. He grabbed her wrist again and dragged her further down the hall, toward a set of glass double doors that opened onto a balcony overlooking the main casino floor. It was a viewing box, soundproofed and secure, designed for high-rollers who wanted to watch the plebs without smelling them.