Chapter 26: Chapter 26

I couldn’t walk conventionally. I feel unclothed, since, although I’m wearing this autoerotic dress Ethan bought for me. I can feel my highlights warming as oceanic crowds abruptly showed up recently. I swallow. A few men of their word look at my way. Their lascivious eyes didn’t cover up the reality they were gazing at me. My hands fixed around Ethan’s bear. When I looked up at him, his eyes were prominent. He looks at those men as if he’s prepared to go for a chase.

I can hear the shuffling of cards. The chimes of machinery. The spinning of wheels. The low claps come from their group of onlookers. Men rule this place. My muscles tensed when Ethan snarled like an unhinged beast. I think the person to be blamed here is him since he brought me here in the first place. I think what’s this place, be that as it may, why? Why are we here? Does he know how to play those things?

“Ethan.” I attempted to capture his eyes, but he looked away. As if my heart got besotted, and it’s now broken into portions. He’s not going to answer my curiosity. Why did I even expect he would take me to something astounding? Something that would reduce my anxiety from him. But this place is way most noticeably awful. It’s my new fear that’s unlocked.

We end from our tracks. Before we are, a group of men wearing dark tuxedo suits is forming and observing those who have cards in their hands. I abruptly shrank from my position. Aside from feeling perplexed with my dress, these individuals look from a mafia or gangster organization. From the looks of their executing eyes, they are the sort of men you shouldn't encounter with.

The man with a snake tattoo on his feature took a card and displayed it on the table. His opponent’s lips jerked, and his brows wrinkled. I’m not familiar with the mechanics, but I’m speculating the fellow from the left lateral of the table is losing. He pummeled his card on the table with constraining, making me recoil at the sound. The man with the tattoo grin then drops all of his cards on the deck. I heard gasps and cheers. It looks like he won since a dark bag, which I think is heavy dropped on his side. He opened it, and my eyes widened in stun. I couldn’t conceive what I was seeing.

Green papers. Bars of golds.

The man groaned with alleviation while the losing group was incensed. The calm surroundings all of a sudden accelerated with whispers coming from the spectators. A series of men stand behind the guy who loses the diversion. One guard came to him and whispered something in his ear. He abruptly stood up then pointed a gun at the man with a tattoo. I almost shouted in shock when Ethan secured my mouth delicately. His fingers are squeezing my butt cheek.

“You cheated, you animal!” the man was incensed and was prepared to slaughter when he dropped on the ground. His body was paralyzed. I was out of breath when they casually picked up his body on the floor and disposed of him somewhere.

“Calm down, this is normal.” he whispered.

What? Is he fucking out of his mind? How can this be normal? I had enough of his game! I pushed his hands away. He must’ve thought I wouldn’t get mad and would follow him around all day like his expensive pooch. His eyebrows wrinkled and his jaw fixed. He looks frantic. I took a step back, but he compellingly yanked me in my arms. I nearly lost my balance and made a commotion, making the group of men look our way.

“Look, what do we have here?” the man stood up. His presence screams potency. He steps up, drawing closer our way. Ethan abruptly wrapped his arms around my waist, clutching it with his claws. I bit my tongue when the man ceased before us.

I couldn’t help but gaze at his highlights. We shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but this man is an exemption. He looks like somebody who stows away something beneath their sleeve. Somebody who’s hiding a skeleton inside their closet. He’s not ugly, though. He’s pretty alluring with his romanesque nose, normally thick eyebrows, and thin pinkish lips. He grinned, and something shone on my eyes, blinding me with his golden teeth.

“What brings you here?”

He looked at Ethan first. His eyes seem entertained. When his vision landed on mine, his eyes gleamed. His eyes meander down to my body. I shifted in my spot, and Ethan caught sight of it. He steps up, pushing me behind him. His eyes look apathetic. The man was about to say something when a guard showed up on his side then whispered something in his ear. His eyebrows were furrowed, but his eyes abruptly widened as if he didn’t want to accept what he listened to. The guard walks away, taking off us three upfront.

“I see.” he nodded his head then gestured us.

“Take a seat, in conjunction with your wife.” He suddenly guided us through the table. The group of men made way for us. I was staggered, incapable of saying something. Ethan unquestionably strolled towards the long table. Since he was holding my waist, I was thrust into walking with him side by side. When we reached the seats, Ethan pushed the table, motioning for me to sit down. I looked around and took note they were all looking at me. By one means or another, there are other women besides me, but the way they look at me as if they are the monarch and I’m the peasant below them.

I don’t have any thoughts about what is still happening. First, I’m naked underneath. Second, he brought me here to a world of card sharks. Third, the man with a tattooed snake on his face looks startled. What is going on here? Was Ethan here before? Is this his hobby?

“So, you’re Azarel?”

“Azarel-” before I might wrap up what I was about to say, Ethan put his hands inside my dress through the slit, then compress my sensitive flesh interior. I gulped the lump in my throat. A sudden shivering sensation traveled through my entire body, making my legs frail and my inner parts tumble.

“She is my wife, Cassandra.” Ethan motioned me. I look at him sideways. He’s grinning at me, but the kind of smile that didn’t reach his eyes. Something tells me what he is about to do is something perilous.

“I heard a lot about you. However, I didn’t know you have a lovely wife over here.” he stole a glance at my way, winking.

“I’m Alejandro. I believe you’re here to gamble with me. What game do you desire, then? Pokers? Slots?”

Ethan rubbed my thighs, making its way up to my private portion. I look at him, arguing he should stop since we're in a public place and somebody might catch him. However, he didn't throw a glance at me. Instead, he inclined on his chair, crossing his legs. He put his elbow on the armrest, carefully watching Alejandro's compelling eyes. He instead looks bored than excited.

“Blackjacks.” he answered.

Whispers from the gathering of people invaded the whole range. I noticed that the entire lobby was filled with expensive-looking gamblers. Suddenly, I’m beneath the pressure of the ocean of crowds. Honorable men and women are inquisitive to see who’s going to gamble. A few of them point at Ethan; cheeks are reddening. It looks like he made a few fans here.

“Hmm, classic. I see. I will bet my one hundred million dollars. How about yours?”

My jaw nearly hit the ground. One hundred million dollars? I looked at the individuals around me. They mumble and seem persuaded of Alejandro’s wagered of cash. I looked at Ethan by my side. I have no thought what’s running inside his head right now, but he doesn’t look astounded with Alejandro’s money bet. By any chance, he was from Asylum. Even if he murdered his family and has their property, still, betting isn’t the solution. Is he crazy, so he thought of coming here and messing with people like Alejandro?!

“My wife.”

My world suddenly slowed down, and my heart stopped beating for a minute when he slowly looked at me with no trace of emotion in his eyes. Tears welled up in both corners of my eyes, debilitating to drop.

“A-are you serious?” my voice broke. I attempted to hold his hands, but he slapped them away, causing my heart gets stomped and repeatedly slammed. I shook my head and pleaded with him. However, he didn’t return his eyes to me. He’s more focused now on the cards that are placed in front.

“Well, I would be happy to have a fine lady like her to bang all night.” Alejandro’s voice became excited all of a sudden then he snap his fingers. The men in dark suit behind him strolled up towards my way then tug me on my arm.

“No! I won’t let you! Eth-” the guard wrapped a handkerchief around my mouth, silencing me. They tied my arms together, I kicked and pushed them away, but they were all stronger than me. My tears suddenly dropped as I watched Ethan plays with Alejandro. His face looks bored. He’s not interested or even concerned that held me here!

I knew it! I should not have trusted him! He set me up! And the thought of it tore me into thousands of shredded paper.