Chapter 99: Chapter 99

THE WHITE...

The city of Venice, Italy is known for its canals. Tourists love to take a boat ride in the middle of the city. However, a curiosity about Venice is that it is literally in danger of sinking. Your greatest asset will be your downfall. I could despise irony if I didn't adore him.

Whenever I'm in Venice, I make it a point to visit the Bellagio, a chain of casinos that has spread like weed across the world. Not that I have anything against casinos. They are just luxury buildings where rich men take money from other rich men. Reminds me of the Catholic Church.

I park the Ferrari in front of the building. It's the car I like to drive in Italy, because this country is the birthplace of the brand. Although, I must admit, I prefer the comfort of a Bentley.

The first rule regarding casinos is to be a communicative person. Nobody makes good games if they don't have good conversations. The second rule is to be in good company, and if the daughter of the President of the United States isn't good enough, I dare say no one else is.

Angelic Donneli is next to me, looking out the window at the Bellagio. The size of the casino, the number of people entering or being in a completely unknown place are not things that scare him. Angelic spent his whole life pretending to love her.

I reach over and open the glove box, pulling out two masks. Today we will celebrate the birthday of an old acquaintance of mine at an elegant masquerade ball. And I have to admit, a casino-themed party ups the ante.

I hand the silver mask to Angelic. On normal days, she's pretty. Today, she is committing a crime against the social order. The blonde hair is piled on top of her head, exposing the half-million dollar jewel around her neck. And when Angelic places the mask over her delicate face, bringing mystery to eyes usually so pure, I feel like I've never seen anything more alluring.

I could be here just to show off my perfect car or my perfect wife. However, my arrogance still hasn't made me a complete fool. So I have serious business to attend to.

I'm wearing the black mask, the exact shade of my three-piece suit. A lot of people in the ballroom at the Bellagio will still be able to recognize me, but until they know who Angelic is, that's enough for me. Otherwise, I'll make the little mess I always make.

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. That's what they say. Well, I'm sure those people have no idea what's going on in Italy.

Casino employees are in charge of opening the doors for us. I get out of the car, walk to the other side to follow Angelic. The lights obstruct her vision, however, she walks with exquisite elegance towards the stairs. I place a hand at the base of his spine, taking a step back. Because if Angelique is beautiful next to me, in front of me she is extraordinary.

The fabric of the red dress hugs her body in every curve, down to below her knees, with a slit along her right leg. The spaghetti straps of the dress anticipate the moderate yet eye-catching neckline. As a whole, it is impossible to ignore.

The doors open in front of us as we approach. And, inside the casino, I almost feel at home. Not because I like environments full of dirty money and bad intentions, but because I know exactly how to act. Every look, every word, every gesture. Everything makes sense.

As we walk, many eyes turn towards us. Some because they recognize me, and let's just say I'm not many people's favorite person here. In fact, I am modest. Most expected me to be dead.

- I need to talk to someone in this room, but he doesn't like me very much - I inform Angelique.

While traversing the space which surrounds us, I recognize some faces. Some even owe me favors, however, I'm as generous as Santa Claus today, so I won't cash in. However, I can't find the one person I'm looking for, and perhaps the one who hates me the most.

- Because? - she asks.

- I took something important for him.

- And I can't come with you? – his statement is masked as a question.

I guide Angelic to the bar. This is the main point of the casino. So I can see it from any point. Not that I can lose sight of that red dress, but just in case, I'm not one to fail.

- Let's play "The master said" - I say. It's the only way to get Angelic to obey me without seeming to be directing her.

She turns to me. I brought Angelic for a reason. Most dishonest people in Venice know my name. It is impossible to go unnoticed among Italian scum. Angelic Donneli is a smokescreen today. As they wonder who she is and what she's doing with me, I'm going to forge the next reason why they're going to hate me.

"Okay," she nods.

- The master told you to stay near the bar.

- Will you be moving in the meantime? - the mask doesn't allow me to see, but, by the way her eyes open, I know she's raised her eyebrows.

I confirm with a nod.

I'm thinking of walking away. I consider the remote possibility of walking away. However, I am not an unfair man. I confess that I tried to find out everything about Angelic's life, so I feel compelled to give you the simplest explanation.

- There is a woman in this room. She has red hair and wears a lilac feathered dress.

- Are you talking to her?

- Not exactly.

She is a means to an end.

- Because? – asks Angelique.

In other circumstances, I would have laughed. But today, I prefer to conclude this evening as quickly as possible. I mean this part of the night because I'm praying for when I'll be alone in that red dress. And I'm not even a Christian.

- Because the master ordered it - I answer with a wink.

I don't really like acting that way. In hindsight, I could have left Angelic in a nice hotel. I should have come alone. But what would be the fun?

I wouldn't look for her in the hallway.

I wouldn't be excited just knowing she's there.

I wouldn't worry about the number of men drooling at her feet.

I grab Angelic's hand, bring it to me, and kiss his back before walking away. The casino is busier than usual today and all the gaming tables on the first floor are packed. I look up at the second floor, finding my target leaning against the railing.

On the second floor, the stakes at the tables get higher. And as the floors go up, so does the money. On the top floor, they have to bet on the country right now.

I walk up the stairs, giving the security guard a simple wave before heading up the stairs. Although most people don't like me, none of them would make the mistake of standing in front of me.

I walk over to the old acquaintance I mentioned. Perhaps "known" is a mere understatement, given our past. She's the birthday girl of the night, so she didn't skimp on the extravagance of her dress. I know she spotted me the moment I walked through the doors of the Bellagio, but it's only now that there's a smirk on her lips.

- Beautiful birthday party – I say – Congratulations.

The last time I saw her was also her birthday. I guarantee you I'm not being dramatic, it was just a coincidence.

- Why the mask? I would even recognize you in a burqa.

I put my hands on the railing, looking up at the first floor. The golden light from the chandelier reflects on people, making them think they shine like gold. It's a sleight of hand, to make them think they have money, and then encourage them to play more and more.

- A burqa? Not really my style – I watch Jasmine Arcade. She's looked exactly the same for the past five years, except for the wickedness evident in her brown eyes.

"You haven't changed," she observes.

- I should?

Jasmine takes another step, sliding her hand over my forearm. The lilac mask, matching the dress, makes her look young and innocent, but no one should be fooled. Jasmine is a snake.

- You want to know what hasn't changed? – Her voice is low, intentionally sultry – My room.

There is a species of insect in nature, the praying mantis, which, right after sex, the female literally eats the head of the male. This is because it needs nutrients. Black Widow is something similar, as is Jasmine.

But if she's flirting with me, and if that's her way of saying she's on my side...

- I hope I get a chance to see it – I look into her eyes as I speak, so she doesn't think I'm lying, though I'm – Again – I correct myself.

- I'm not a little girl anymore.

- Never was.

Jasmine smiled, pulling away again.

- What are you doing here?

I could keep flirting and say I came for her. A man uses the weapons at his disposal. However, it only took one lie for Jasmine to change completely. Now she's female, and she looks more like the other members of the Arcade family. It's more harmful.

- I need to talk to your cousin.

- And wants to use me to reach her - she immediately deduces.

I confirm with a brief nod, hoping she doesn't start screaming and call me a profiteer. I've seen this scene before.

- Afterwards, you can use me as you want.

Jasmine smiled, now showing all her teeth. She won't give in to my little talk. She has a greater interest than sex. The Arcade family are not very honest people. In this case, they know that they must maintain alliances with even less honest people.

- I'll be picky.

- I hope.

"All night," she jokes.

- I will be available.

When a waiter walks past us, Jasmine waves to us. He walks over and she grabs two glasses. However, perhaps remembering that I don't drink sparkling wine, she just takes a drink. Sparkling wine is overrated.

- Why do you do that? - Questions from Jasmine - Old LeBlanc would just walk into this room, like he owns the whole fucking world. And then he came into my cousin's office, unbuttoned his jacket and sat down to eat.

Yes, I probably would.

- I see that you know me well. Please proceed.

- Then you would threaten Bugsy with everything you know. Because you always know something.

Bugsy? Does this code name still exist?

- And why do you think I didn't? – since she has such a well-constructed image of me, I'm interested in her response.

- You avoid creating a mess. You have become sweet - Jasmine takes a sip of bubbly.

I never liked much attention, so I spent a few years on an island, with no contact with society. I almost transcended and became an angel. However, I admit, the old me was not keen on creating a good impression. Now I prefer silenced guns, sports cars and the president's daughter. It's another level.

"Maybe," I mumble.

- I hope it didn't happen in bed too.

This Angelique could answer.

- We'll find out.

- I'll talk to Bugsy. But I'm not sure he wants to see your face.

If he has any shred of dignity and honor, I'm sure not.

- Do your best.

- Of course – Jasmine finishes swirling the liquid on her lips – You don't know any better than me.

Oh dear. I say.

She turns away from me, walking towards the elevators. If I didn't know the worst is coming now, I would feel relieved. For an honest man like me, dealing with criminals is always an ordeal.

Turning to the railing, I begin to scan the first floor with my eyes. It is impossible that this red dress got lost among these people. I look at the bar, the betting tables and the stairs.

Where is she?

The moment that question pops into my head, I smell the sweet scent behind me. Smell of green apple and white wine. I expect Angelic to appear in my field of vision, but it doesn't. She just reached into my pants pocket, leaving something there.

Curiosity takes over as I reach into my pocket in the same second. I feel the lace against my fingers, and I'm taken back to today's afternoon, watching Angelic get dressed. It's her panties.

Not fucking.

I turn to the creature, however, it is already moving away. I grab her wrist before she can pull away any further. The blue eyes look at me with an innocence that, if I didn't know Angelic, would win me over.

- Why do you do that?

Didn't I make it clear that we're not joking here?

- Because the master ordered it.

I take a deep breath. Every time she overrides my decision, she takes my self-control with her. Your petulance pisses me off. But damn, it turns me on too.

I hear the elevator stop on this floor, and I force myself to let go of Angelique. She has always been a problem for my professionalism, but never more than now. Seeing that ass walk away from me, knowing her panties are in my pocket, gives me the onset of a heart attack.

Jasmine returns to my side, now with another glass in her hand.

- He had a good day. Bugsy can't wait to see you.

- You asked him not to try to kill me? – that's an important question, given the memories he must have of me.

- I do not need. You are an indestructible bastard – Jasmine winks. She walks in front of me and I follow her towards the elevator.

When we enter, Jasmine presses the button that directs us to the top floor. I admit, I am surprised. When I first met Benjamin, or Bugsy for his relatives, he was just a troublemaker with drug dealer syndrome, or something. Today, visiting it on the top floor of the Bellagio is an aphrodisiac. Now, yeah, he's up to my game.

- We will have an auction at the end of the evening – Jasmine communicates – Participate.

I don't answer. I'm not against auctions, but honestly, if I want something, I buy it. I don't need to compete with anyone else. This goes for anything that can be bought or earned.

The elevator doors open again on the top floor. Before even setting foot outside, I smell the smell of hundreds of banknotes on the few tables. Here are the people who are not afraid to bet everything they have. People who only care about money. People able to cross the world just to earn an extra penny.

I follow Jasmine as she turns down the first lane, leaving the betting room. She stops in front of the first door, then turns to me.

"Good luck," she mouths.

I manage not to roll my eyes, and I'm not even old enough to. I mean, it's only fitting that I was the worst bastard Benjamin had ever met, but could he want to kill me for that?