Accidentally Yours (Merffy Kizzmet) novel Chapter 21

His tone was cool. “You wanted to gamble.”

She rolled a chip between her fingers, smirking. “You’re very casual about throwing around a grand.”

“I’m casual about a lot of things,” he said, almost too quietly.

Her stomach did that stupid swoop again.

What does that even mean?

She weighed them in her hand.

He started to lead her toward a private poker table, but she stopped.

“There,” she said, pointing.

Roulette.

The croupier straightened as they approached–clearly recognizing Enzo and very aware of who this girl must be. Lola said nothing. Just walked up, leaned casually against the railing, and looked at the spinning wheel. She didn’t ask for odds. Didn’t hesitate. She slid all ten chips into the center of the table and stacked them neatly on one number.

Black 13.

The table fell quiet.

“All of it?” the croupier asked, slightly stunned.

Lola nodded. “Go big or… end up in an unmarked grave in the desert. Isn’t that the vibe?”

Enzo’s jaw twitched. Everyone else stared.

The ball dropped.

The ball clattered.

Spun.

Slowed-

Click. Click. Tap.

Black. 13.

The croupier froze. The table went silent.

“Black 13,” he confirmed, voice slightly dazed. “Payout… thirty–five to one.”

No fucking way. I’m the unluckiest person I know. How the hell? This dress really is doing something for me.

Dom muttered something under his breath.

Marco just gawked. “No fucking way.”

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Nico whispered, “She’s not real.”

Gino clapped once like he was witnessing a miracle.

Lola blinked. She stared at the ball.

Then at the neat stack of chips the dealer began pushing toward her-$35,000, racked and gleaming.

Her jaw tensed. Just a little.

She’d never seen this much money in her life.

Not in one place. Not with her name on it.

Not like this.

The dealer slid the rack across the felt with reverence.

“Congratulations, Miss,” he said.

She reached out, fingers curling around the tray–steady, even though her chest was sprinting.

This is definitely boosting my whole unkillable vibe.

Then, without looking away from the chips, she reached into the stack… pulled two crisp $1000 chips free… and turned to Enzo. Her palm opened. The chips lay across it.

“Your investment,” she said, voice almost casual. “With interest.”

Enzo stared at her for a long second. Then took the chip, his fingers brushing hers. Hot. Deliberate. Just enough to make her breath catch. “You keep the interest,” he murmured.

Her throat tightened. She turned to the rest of the crew, lifting the tray high like a waitress with a god complex. “So…” she called out, grin reloaded, “drinks on me?” She was still holding the tray like it might disappear if she blinked too fast.

Thirty–five thousand dollars.

Stacked and racked. Real.

Her hands didn’t shake, but only because she wouldn’t let them. Then Enzo leaned in–close enough to brush her shoulder with his chest–and nodded toward the chips.

“Gino’ll cash those in for you.”

Before she could answer, he turned toward the group.

“Marco, Dom, Nico–head up and get cleaned up. Gino, take care of the chips and grab Lola’s payout from the cage.”

He glanced back at her, something unreadable in his eyes.

“Lola and I are going to shower and settle in.”

She blinked. “We are?”

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Chapter 21

He didn’t answer. Just touched her lower back, guiding her gently but firmly toward the elevator at the far end of the private floor. Behind them, Dom grunted in agreement and peeled off. Marco gave her a wink. Nico looked like he was still recovering from the Black 13 incident. Gino was already on the move, chip tray in hand. Enzo pressed the elevator button with that same casual control he used for everything.

“Upstairs,” he said, still not looking at her, “you’ll change into something comfortable.”

“Oh?” she asked, trying not to sound breathless. “And what exactly does comfortable mean in your world?”

Pretty sure it’s naked for me. Oh lord. You stop that right now. You just met this man and on a winning high. Simmer down.

He finally turned his head toward her, expression unreadable.

“You’ll figure it out.”

The elevator doors slid open. Just before stepping inside, Enzo glanced back at the guys one last time. “Rooftop,” he said. “Two hours. Dinner. Cocktails.”

And then, like it was nothing, he added: “Let’s call it a soft opening.”

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1 days ago

if this book stays this good until the end, I expect to see you on a beat seller list soon! I haven’t enjoyed a book this much in a very long time!

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