Reagan’s POV
The House of Spades
If there was one thing I knew about Eli, it was that nothing he touched was ever small.
This wasn’t just the opening of another nightclub. It was a gathering. Gang leaders dressed like businessmen, smugglers wore tailored suits, and murderers laughed over expensive whiskey as if they were discussing stock prices. If someone had influence, money, or a name worth fearing, they’d be here tonight.
Exactly the kind of crowd the old man thrived in.
Exactly the kind I avoided whenever possible.
I rubbed the bridge of my nose, already feeling a headache coming on. Eli could’ve attended this without us. He had more than enough men to handle security and entertain his guests.
So why drag me into it?
More importantly...
Where the hell was everyone?
I was the only one dressed and waiting. Anyone walking in would’ve thought I was the one hosting the event.
The sound of approaching footsteps pulled me from my thoughts.
I looked up.
Every complaint I had vanished before it reached my lips.
Rose stepped into the room.
The black dress hugged her figure, ending just above her thighs. Loose waves framed her face and fell over her shoulders, softening her features in a way I’d never really noticed before.
I’d seen Rose dressed up before.
Just... not like this.
I hadn’t realized I’d been staring until her mother gently shook my shoulder.
"Reagan."
She smiled knowingly.
"I’ve told her a dozen times she looks beautiful, but she refuses to believe me. Maybe she’ll believe someone else."
Rose let out an exaggerated sigh.
"I don’t need his opinion."
Her words sounded dismissive but she was already looking at me, quietly waiting for an answer.
I held her gaze for another second before speaking.
"You look good."
The tension in her shoulders eased almost immediately, it was subtle.
Most people wouldn’t have noticed.
"Much better than ’it’s alright,’" she said with a satisfied smile.
Rose rolled her eyes.
"I still didn’t ask."
Before she could say anything else, Father’s voice interrupted.
"What’s all the commotion?"
He walked in, adjusting the cuff of his suit.
"It’s nothing, dear," She replied with a smile.
Father glanced around the room.
"Are we ready?"
Everyone answered, and a few moments later we were on our way.
The drive passed with them chatting almost nonstop while Rose remained unusually quiet, watching the city lights drift past the window.
By the time we arrived, The House of Spades was everything I’d expected.
The place was packed, the music was deafening, and money was on display at every turn.
I hadn’t even stepped inside, and my patience was already wearing thin.
Some faces were familiar, men whose names carried enough weight to start wars. Others were the kind people only spoke about in lowered voices.
"Reagan."
Father’s voice drew my attention away from the crowd.
"Let’s go."
She frowned.
"You’re leaving already?"
He smiled before answering.
"Business first."
His gaze shifted between her and Rose.
"We have a few things to discuss before the official opening. It won’t take long."
"Don’t disappear for the whole night," She warned.
"I’ll try not to."
She smiled before taking Rose’s hand.
"Come on, Rosey."
I watched them disappear into the crowd before Father looked at me.
"Let’s not keep Eli waiting."
One of Eli’s men was already waiting for us.
He gave a respectful nod before leading us away from the music and into a restricted section of the club.
The atmosphere changed almost immediately.
The polished lounges gave way to quieter hallways where the real business was conducted.
We passed gambling rooms thick with cigar smoke, prostitutes entertaining wealthy clients, and beer-bellied men too drunk to notice nimble fingers emptying their pockets.
No one stopped us, No one even looked our way. The guard stopped in front of a heavy wooden door.
"The boss is waiting."
He pushed the door open before stepping aside.
Eli looked up from the table, a slow grin spreading across his face.
"There you are."
He greeted him first before giving me a brief nod.
"I was beginning to think you didn’t plan on coming Devon."
Father chuckled.
"But here i am."
Eli laughed softly and gestured toward the chairs.
"Sit."
Business began almost immediately.
Eli slid a folder across the table. Devon opened it while the two of them went over shipping routes, territory lines, and the finer details of their partnership. Every now and then, one of them would make a small correction before the conversation carried on.
I stayed out of it. The meeting would’ve gone the same way whether I spoke or not.
Nearly an hour later, Eli leaned back with a satisfied smile.
"I’d say tonight was worth the investment."
"So far," He replied.
"So far," Eli agreed.
He snapped his fingers.
The door opened, and several women filed into the room. They were attractive enough to turn heads, dressed to catch every eye in the room.
I felt nothing, If anything, the whole display only made the room feel cheaper.
Eli spread his arms.
"Gentlemen... don’t let business be the only thing you enjoy tonight."
He didn’t even look in their direction before answering.
"I’ll pass."
"So will I."
Eli raised an eyebrow before chuckling into his whiskey.
"I see you’re actually taking the marriage seriously."
He slowly swirled the liquid around his glass.
"I thought it was just part of the plan."
A brief silence settled over the room as he smiled faintly.
"Some plans require commitment."
Eli laughed.
"Fair enough."
Most of the women turned to leave.
Most... One didn’t.
She walked straight toward me, confidence in every step.
"Tough crowd," she purred.
"I like difficult men."
"I said no."
She stopped close enough for her perfume to become irritating.
"You don’t sound convincing."
Her fingers reached for my tie.
That was her mistake.
I caught a fistful of her hair and slammed her onto the table. Before anyone else could react, my knife rested against her throat.
The room went still.
"You mistake patience for interest," I said quietly.
"My answer hasn’t changed."
Her breathing hitched.
"I-I’m sorry..."
She trembled uncontrollably, tears and snot running down her face. The sight made my face wrinkle.
"Fucking disgusting."
I had no interest in taking it further so i let her go.
She stumbled backward before hurrying out of the room without looking back.
Silence lingered for a brief moment before Eli burst into laughter. It wasn’t the polite chuckle he’d worn all evening, It was a genuine one.
Still grinning, he looked toward Devon.
"He’s got your temper, Devon."
He adjusted his cuff as though nothing unusual had happened.
"So I’ve been told."