The Dark Prince's Prize

Chapter 21-1

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Adalard walked toward the table. He paused when Samara stared up at him with a worried expression.

Do you even know how to play poker? she asked in his mind.

Yes. Carmen taught us, he replied.

Carmen? Walker? she demanded.

Yes. She is exceptionally good at this game, he reassured her.

You are going to need to be more than just good, she warned.

As you would say—I’ve got this, he assured her.

“Are we going to play, or are you going to stare into each other’s eyes all night?” Campeau snapped.

Adalard scowled at the other man. “We are going to play,” he drawled.

He didn’t conceal the slight difference in his appearance. His violet eyes glowed eerily with his power, and the irritation on Campeau’s face changed to unease. Adalard pulled out the chair across from the man and sat down.

“I suggest a warm up game before we proceed,” Campeau offered.

“Perhaps we should start with a bid,” Adalard replied.

Campeau glanced over him and then Samara. “Five thousand dollars.”

Samara moved to get the cash from her pocket, and Adalard touched her hand, shaking his head. Lifting her hand to his lips, he kissed the back of it.

“Instead of money, I suggest something personal,” he said.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a Trivarian diamond the size of a walnut. He had brought mostly precious stones instead of money, though Mason assured him that the thin piece of plastic he had given him would act as currency. He placed the large faceted stone on the table in front of him.

“Do you expect me to believe that is a real diamond?” Campeau demanded.

Adalard sat back in his seat and waved a hand toward it. “I can promise that you will never find a diamond as pure as this anywhere else on this planet,” he said.

Campeau reached out and picked up the diamond. Adalard watched as the man breathed on it before studying the pure perfection of the stone. Campeau waved his fingers, and the man behind him stepped forward, leaning close to him attentively.

“Bring me a glass of water,” Campeau instructed.

Less than a minute later, a tall glass of water was placed in front of Campeau who proceeded to drop the diamond into the glass. The gem immediately sank to the bottom. Adalard watched with amusement as Campeau poured the water onto the floor and plucked the diamond out of the glass. Then he scored the glass and hissed when a deep cut appeared.

“Is it real?” Gary asked.

Campeau didn’t answer Gary, instead he looked across the table at Adalard. “Where did you get this?” he demanded.

Adalard knew he had Campeau’s complete attention now. “From a small mine that I own,” he replied with a shrug. “Are you ready to play?”

Campeau paused and rolled the diamond against his palm. He nodded and placed the diamond back on the table. Pushing back his sleeve, he removed his Patek Philippe watch. He placed the watch next to the diamond.

“Something personal,” Campeau replied.

“Let the game begin,” Adalard said.