Hi,

I am so new to all of this I have no idea what I want to say. For now, I will just post and hope someone reads it. I hope you all enjoy it. Thanks for reading.

Please let me know what you think with a comment below.

Prologue

-Edward-

I had three main objectives in my life. Gamble as much money as I could make, drink myself into an oblivion every night, and fuck as many women as I could charm.

Right then, I was working on two out of the three. Picking up the whiskey glass, I swirled the golden liquid inside, watching the mini-tornado intently before lifting my gaze to rest on the man opposite of me. Taking a sip, I rolled the whiskey on my tongue, relishing the burn of alcohol on my tongue. Swallowing, I sat back against my chair, the glass thumping on the smooth oak as I set my drink aside.

I had this game in the bag. With four aces and one joker, there was no other conclusion. Charlie's lips thinned as he stared at the cards in his hand.

Impatiently, I drummed the tabletop. "Swan, I don't have all night. Are you going to fold or continue this wager?"

Over five thousand pounds sat on the table in front of me. I wasn't Charlie's banker, but I would place another bet. Charlie was digging himself a hole he would never be able to fix.

Ever.

Word on the street was Charlie's debt was a deep dark hole the wretch would never be able to climb out of. Even while this was the case, I watched indecision warring in his eyes. I typically didn't empathize with anyone, but I felt an obligation to caution any further recklessness. "Give it up, man. I know you have shit in your hand. Just fold and go home. You have nothing left to wager."

Sweat dotted his brow and he played with the whiskers of his mustache. His hand came up, silencing any further argument from me.

If the man wanted to lose absolutely everything then who was I to stand in his way? "Are you going to give me the title to your horse? Your estate? I know your pockets are bare and there is barely anything left in your bank account. What else do you have to barter with? Give it up, Swan."

The man in question shuffled nervously in his chair, his dark brown eyes darting between the cards in his hand to the jackpot. Again, he shifted, his gaze finally meeting mine. "I-I have something better to wager."

A humorless chuckle slipped from my throat. "Pray tell, what could possibly be better than money, horses, or even that pit of an estate you currently possess."

Doubt clouded his eyes momentarily before he quickly disguised it. "I know your fondness for women. You have a new woman on your arm almost every day. My daughter …"

"Whoa. Whoa. What the fuck are you suggesting?" I did entertain different women. I made it my mission in this life to fuck as many of them as possible. Lots of women. Willing women. I'd never won a woman or had it suggested in a fucking poker game.

My jaw was clenched so hard I had to force myself to relax lest I break my teeth. The notion was so appalling I nearly leapt to my feet and rounded the table to plant a fist in his smirking mouth.

Acid burned in my nose as I studied the man closely, looking for any chance that he might be jesting, yet no humor traced his features. "Tell me you are joking. Tell me you are not really offering your daughter as payment for this game."

How many other men had he offered his daughter to? Was this a habit? It was such a barbaric idea I couldn't quite grasp it. Perhaps I was drunker than I thought. The sweet haze of liquor teased my senses, yet I remained as clear-headed as ever. I had to be hearing things, surely that was the only explanation.

As sober as I was, I suddenly wished I'd consumed more whiskey. Hell, I needed another bottle to get through this next ten minutes. The muscle close to my temple began to twitch with annoyance. "Tell me I'm misunderstanding your intentions, Swan."

He shook his head, his focus back on the cards in his hand. "Nope, I'm fairly confident I have this one in the bag."

If I knocked him out and left this table behind, how soon would it be before he tried to offer his daughter again? Who would the next man be? Would he be someone less honorable?

As much as I liked pussy, I wouldn't force myself between any woman's legs. Some men didn't give a shit how old she was, or whether she was willing. That had another question arising as I stared at the man, I suddenly wanted to shoot in the face. Biting my cheek until the coppery essence of blood coated my tastebuds, I leaned in, propping my elbows on the tabletop, the cards folding in my hand. "How old is she?"

He cleared his throat, taking a long swig of his drink before restlessly fidgeting in his chair. "She just had her seventeenth birthday. She's still a virgin if that's what you're worried about."

That wasn't at all what I was currently worried about. As much of a man whore that I was, I did happen to respect and care for women. There was only one I'd like to watch burn in a witch's fire. Hell, I would strike the match myself if given the opportunity.

Seeing no other option in this particular situation, I rolled my fingers impatiently. "Elaborate. Is this for a night or as long …"

"If I lose, you may have the girl," Charlie started, and clearly rethinking his position, he continued, "As I said, I don't anticipate losing this hand so the details are just preliminary. Do you agree or not?"

What other choice did I really have? Beating this damn fool was in the best interest of his daughter, and without further hesitation, I nodded. "Agreed."

At a later day, I would catch this back alley cat and make him eat his teeth for wagering his daughter's innocence for a damn poker game. Until that day was upon us, there was only one thing to do, and that was to settle this once and for all.

Downing the last swallow of my whiskey, I pinned him with a hard gaze, a banked rage burned hot beneath my skin. "Let's see what was worth betting on your daughter's virtue."

He looked me over. Nerves riddled his gaze no matter how hard he tried to hide it. Finally, he let out a low whistle before tossing the cards face up on the table.

Four queens glared back at me, and if this had been any other hand, he would've undoubtedly won. That, and only that, appeased my rage, yet only slightly. Because despite the royalty spread across the tabletop Charlie Swan had just lost his daughter.

I shook my head as disbelief claimed me. It was beyond my wildest imaginings, anyone should be so careless on a frivolous game of cards. Honor bound to claim my reward before it could be offered to a man less befitting, I ground my teeth as I showed him my cards.

One by one, I laid the cards face up on the table, watching as his face paled further with each card I exposed. When the last ace made its appearance, I stared at him. I refused to relent, as I watched his skin turn ghost white, a rivulet of sweat coursing down his temple.

I barely let him have a chance to digest the ramifications of his actions. Sitting forward, I scooped up the winnings from the center and created neat stacks of coins next to my poker chips. "I will give you an hour to go home and explain your foolhardy endeavor to your daughter before I send my men to collect her. Her and all of her belongings."

"Cullen, wait … I-I," Charlie started, fumbling with his excuses. "Please, let me …"

I pushed the chair back from the table, never letting my gaze waver from his as I slapped the table. Satisfaction filled me when he flinched at the resounding smack. The room went silent as several heads turned to watch the spectacle unfold. Lowering my voice so I wouldn't be overheard, I leaned in close. "I said, one hour. Go home now. Get her and her things ready. I will be there to collect my reward in one hour."

He appeared to be on the brink of tears, his chin wobbling as when he spoke. "What am I supposed to tell her?

I shrugged, not really caring what he told her, yet she did deserve some explanation as to why she was finding herself relocated in the middle of the night. Wetting my lips as they went dry, I considered carefully. "Tell her, her father is an ignorant fool. Tell her, he carelessly decided to wager on her morals, her future, and her well-being. Tell her the fucking truth."

Don't be afraid to let me know if this sucks, lol. I'm so nervous. Thx!