Hehe, a lot of you were shocked it was Ivan, I'm glad! xD
Do'B I'll reply to your review in the A.N. of the next chapter, but also check that you're logged in as your reviews are coming through as anonymous ones.
Chapter Thirty Five.
Rose POV.
"So, Roza," A small shock runs across my skin when Dimitri lays a hand on my arm. The way he pronounces my name and the way his chocolate brown eyes soften and bore into mine makes me feel weak at the knees, and that realisation snaps my mind out of its delusional fog. That's exactly how Ivan trapped me in the first place.
I twist out of his grip discreetly, a seductive smile flashing up automatically when he raises an eyebrow at me and resumes watching Adrian shuffle the deck of cards.
"I'm fed up with the warm up rounds, Ivan. Let's get down to business. Let's place our bets."
Chapter Thirty Six.
Adrian POV.
The silence is almost deafening as we all wait to hear what Ivan's going to say.
"Adrian and Rose, our servers, are my bets for tonight's game. If you win, they're-" his gaze meets mine and he drops it almost straight away. "They're yours to do with as you wish."
Dimitri looks us both over. "What's the most important thing to you both? What do you both crave?"
My eyes seek Ivan's out once more, wanting clarification, but Dimitri snaps his fingers impatiently. "What do you desire?"
"Freedom." Rose's voice is a whisper, and it prompts my own answer.
"My life back."
Chapter Thirty Seven.
Rose POV.
Dimitri purses his lips for a moment and then nods. "Fine. My bet is for Rose's freedom and Adrian's life. Let's play."
"Yo-" Adrian's hand clamps down over my mouth, a small grunt of discomfort echoing in my throat as he pulls me to the corner of the room before I can complete my sentence.
"Don't. This is a serious bet. Don't say anything. Just let them do it, and pray that Ivan wins."
"Why? Dimitri doesn't seem so bad."
Adrian frowns. "I don't trust him. Something seems… off."
I can't help the snort that escapes. "Well I like him. And from the sounds of things, he's the best hope either of us have for getting out of here."
"And Ivan," Dimitri's eyes turn cold. "If you try and cheat me again, I won't be as understanding as I was last time."
Chapter Thirty Eight.
Adrian POV.
Something's wrong.
Ivan's too tense, Dimitri looks too relaxed. It's subtle, but noticeable enough when you stand there for two hours as the dealer and use that time to study people who are engrossed in such an important game.
Ivan's been switching his cards too often to be comfortable, and Dimitri – I don't know if he's already got the hand he wants to play and is just humouring Ivan.
They've both added a large amount of money to their bets, and yet, neither of them folds, until Ivan smiles widely.
"Show your hands gentlemen."
Ivan turns his over, a wide grin still on his face.
And then Dimitri does the same.
The next update won't be for 12 hours :( blame the place I work at for leaving you in suspense, sorry guys. But I hope you enjoyed it!