I built this empire from silence and smoke, from the quiet click of chips and the weight of a stare across a green felt table. No one cheats in my casino. No one even tries. Until tonight.

She did both—and made it look like art.

Now she’s standing in my private chamber, the city lights bleeding through the floor-to-ceiling windows behind her. Her dress shimmers like liquid mercury, and her pulse? Steady. Not a flicker of fear.

‘You knew I was counting,’ she says, voice low, certain.

I lean back in my chair, fingers steepled. ‘I knew.’

‘And you let me keep playing.’

‘I wanted to see how far you’d go.’

A slow smile curls her lips. ‘I’m not done yet.’

My blood heats. This isn’t defiance. It’s invitation.

‘What do you want?’ I ask, already knowing the answer won’t be money.

She takes a step forward. ‘A game. Just you and me. No dealers, no rules. Winner takes control.’

I should say no. I always do.

But for once, I want to lose.