Jackpot.

CHAPTER 3

I sit at the counter, my hands wrapped around a mug of coffee. I rub my palms on the surface of the mug, feeling the heat seep into my palms.

I unlock my phone, it opens straight to message from last night. The contact unknown.

Blackbird Casino. 9pm. Formal wear.

There was also an attachment of pictures showing Kaiden Nikolaou, entering and exiting the casino at different hours. In the pictures, his face is arranged in a stoic mask, his gaze pointed forward. He's cute...too cute for a criminal. He could've easily been a model, why go for organised crime.

Seems like he has a thing for coats, as in every picture he's wrapped in one.

I can't imagine wearing a coat all day in this summer heat, but do you I guess.

I spent the night wracking my brain on who this unknown contact could be. Hardly getting any sleep as I wondered if I would actually go to the Casino.

Spoiler alert. I still haven't made up my mind.

Shoving it to the back of mind, I stand up from my seat. Placing my mug in the sink, I go into my room and take a shower.

Pulling on some clothes, I put my braids into a ponytail; grabbing my keys I leave my house locking the door behind me.

Stepping into the crowded street, I hail a taxi and give directions to Stacy's house.

I shoot her a text, letting her know I'm on my way.

Stacy Tupas and I have been friends since our second week in Marlowe university. We both got lost on our way to class, turns out we were terrible at following directions.

I had sat down on a bench in front of the water fountain at the center of the campus to catch my breath, when she asked me for directions.

We had laughed when we realised we were in the same pre law program and tried to find our way. Turns out, we were even worse together as we ended up getting lost again.

Then two short of breath, heaving girls drenched in sweat decided to ask a third party for directions and we managed to find our way. We quickly became friends after that.

I arrive at Stacy's off campus apartment. Stepping out of the taxi, I pay the driver and enter the lavish apartment complex.

I nod at the doorman, my sneakers practically gliding across the tiled floor as I make my way towards the elevator. Pressing Stacy's floor number, I lean against the elevator wall as it ascends; the soft music playing through the speakers accompanying me.

I exit into the hallway, noting the changes to the decor. New paintings hang on the walls and I admire the soothing colours that swirl in them.

Raising my hand I ring the door ball, not even waiting a minute, the door is thrown open and Stacy pulls me into a hug.

"I haven't seen you in ages", she whines her as her arms tighten around me

"We had lunch on Monday", I remind her chuckling

"But it's Friday now", she retorts, clinging to me like am octopus

"Can't breathe", I choke out dramatically

Stacy let's out a laugh, pulling me into her apartment and shutting the door.

"I'm here to raid your closet", I blurt out as i trail her into the kitchen. Sidestepping her, I open her fridge rooting around till I find a fruit bowl.

"Okay", she replies

I startle when she suddenly grabs my shoulders shaking me as she squeals excitedly

"Omg, do you have a date?!"

Stiffening as I go blank, panicking I search for another excuse.

"Uhm", I say lamely

She gasps, releasing me to clap as she jumps in place. Am I so chronically single? Yikes.

"Yes, I have a date", I say with false excitement

"With who? Is he in any of our classes?", she presses

I feel my stomach knot as I start blurting out answers.

"No, I met him... at a coffee shop. Off campus. Really far away from campus", I laugh shakily.

Her eyes narrow in suspicion at my answer

"Okay", she draws out

Folding her arms, she keeps her haze pinned on my face.

"What's his name?"

"Jeff", I supply

"Jeff", she raises a brow

"Yep, he's a Jeff", I tell her steadying my voice

"Where's he taking you?",she questions

"Blackbird Casino", I reply. I don't want to lie to her completely.

"A casino, for your first date", Stacy says tonelessly

"Yeah, he's a big fan of those"

"So he's a gambler", she tells me

"Okay, let's not assume things", I try to placate her

"Look, I know it's not ideal", I say and she gives me a look

"But I just want to give it a go", I conclude

She hums staring at me, I maintain eye contact as my palms grow sweaty. My heart beats in my chest as we engage in an unplanned staring contest. I must win this, she's onto me.

My eyes sting and I blink.

"I win", she yells triumphantly

"Yes ,yes you win. Now let's find me a dress", I spin her towards her room.

Standing in front of Stacy's bedroom mirror, I admire with the gold backless dress. Stacy and I are about the same size so it isn't a tight fit, though it's a little snug in the chest area.

The gold shimmers with my movement as I turn to take in the dipping curve of the dress at the back. It has a scoop neckline and thin straps.

I share a smile with Stacy as she sits on her bed surrounded by the rejected dresses.

"You're going to knock him dead", she tells me excitement in her voice

"Dont forget to punch him in the neck if he turns out to be a creep", she says sternly

"Don't worry, I'll leave at the first sign of creepy behaviour", I reassure her

Taking off the dress I fold it into my bag and we start arranging her closet into it's previous state.

Leaving her room, we end up watching a movie and hanging out. As the time draws closer to 9pm, anxiety creeps into me.

There's a tightening in my stomach as I finally let myself think about what I'm going to do. Callum was the good one, the upright one or so I thought, but sneaking into somewhere I normally won't be caught dead at was proving too much for me.

From my research on Blackbird Casino, although it allows in most people as long as you follow the dress code, operates in levels. According to how much you win, you can ascend to a higher floor. It's impossible to make a lot of large wins in one night so I will have to sneak into the higher floors.

Another thing, I learned about the casino is that even if you do manage to get into higher levels there's still exclusive floors accessible only to a certain wealth bracket. There's also very tight security due to the millions of dollars that are exchanged in a night.

I zone out through the movie and exist in a partial state of detachment as I leave Stacy's place.

Getting home, I take a quick shower and start preparing myself - mentally and physically- for Blackbird Casino.

Two hours later, I stare at the vibrant lights surrounding the building. It's daunting structure is held up by stone pillars. The pulsing lights creating a dance of colours across its face.

Flashy cars park as valets open doors for its occupants. Men and women arm in arm troop towards the entrance in fancy suits and dresses. Pearls and diamonds shimmer around necks.

Lifting my chin, I push back my shoulders and try to adopt an air of superiority.

"Good evening ma'am. Welcome to Blackbird Casino"

I'm greeted by an imposing security guard at the entrance

Nodding towards him I enter the casino. Not wanting to look as out of place as I feel I head towards the nearest table.

I take in the layout of the interior as I come to a halt, concealing my body behind the small crowd of people that watch the game of blackjack.

The interior is vibrant with the various colours of gowns and suits worn as people move around, heading towards the bar or the different games and slot machines.

I notice the constant but subtle movement of security personnel as they sift through the crowd, talking into earpieces.

I watch people move in between levels, noticing that they show a card to the security before they are allowed to advance.

My lack of a key card will make this difficult, I'd have to acquire one.

I retrace my steps, sometimes tip toeing to look over shoulders, bumping into men to feel for their key cards.

My heart weighs in my chest as I start to lose hope. Tightening my fists in determination, I continue walking around. Stopping occasionally so as not to draw attention to myself.

A group of women pass me, laughing as they converse and I trail behind them.

They head into the restroom, I follow. Stopping at the mirror, I reapply my lipstick as they converse. Tucking it back into my purse, I slide my fingers on the sink counter, edging closer to the clutch that's there.

As I do so, I continue to watch to see if anybody notices. Tilting my shoulders, I trip over the edge of my dress crashing into the lady closest to me. As we fall I push the clutch off the sink and the contents spill.

"I'm so sorry, I've been a stumbling idiot in this dress", I gasp out an apology in a distressed voice.

I crouch to the floor and start stuffing the spilled contents into the clutch. Feigning bashfulness, I use the front of my heels to slide the key card into the shadowed edge under the counter.

The woman I bumped into snatches her clutch from my hands giving me a scalding glare.

"They just allow anyone in these days", she says scornfully

I remain crouched staring up at her as she brushes off the front of her dress.

Laughter fills the air.

"Kaiden did say he wanted to expand his clientele, which burrow did you crawl out of?", a woman in a red cocktail dress pipes in.

"I've always wanted to see what Blackbird Casino looks like from the inside. And maybe cash in a few wins", I shrug playing into the poor girl act.

Standing up, I back the mirrors arranging my dress to cover the front of the sink. Praying that the key card remains concealed.

"Seems like we'd have to find new casino, if anyone is just allowed to stroll in", the owner of the clutch says as she turns and strolls out of the toilets, the others trailing after her.

I quickly stoop down, reaching underneath and slide the card out from where I nudged it. I gasp as I take in the diamond tier card.

Jackpot.

Fisting the key card, I exit the restroom heading towards one of the security guards that stand by the closest elevator leading to the higher floors.

Handing it to him, I watch as he scans it giving me a condescending look but the machine pings and I am let into the elevator. I tap the highest floor accessible to me.

Entering the darkened room, I immediately notice the exclusivity of it. Slow, classical music plays at the background as the sparce occupants of the room mingle. Some stand by the mini bar, while others engage in a lazy game of blackjack.

I get fleeting stares as I walk across the room, steeling my nerves I approach the bar. Absolutely no one looks like me here, maybe that's why they're staring.

I notice someone watching me, turning my head I make eye contact with a woman in a red dress - the one from the restroom. Our eyes widen as we make eye contact.

"Shit", I mutter under my breath.

Turning swiftly, I quicken my steps looking for where to hide. But the room is too uncrowded and sparsely decorated.

I hear whispering behind me, I ignore it frantically searching for a way to conceal myself. Peeking over my shoulder, I watch as the woman points towards me as she whispers to a guard. His brow furrows, his jaw clenching as he taps the watch strapped to his hand.

He starts advancing towards me. Panicking, I edge passed people, my heart in my throat. I can't leave here without answers, Callum died last month and I can already feel the police giving up...everyone is moving on from it but I just can't.

Seeing a door, I twist it open ,and throw myself into a dimmly lit room, slamming it behind me.

Taking in deep breaths, I press my head against it struggling to calm my racing heart.

Shifting back, I pump my fist.

"Yes", I exclaim.

Hearing movement behind me I stiffen. I inch slowly around, the previously loosened knot in my stomach tightening once more.

Squinting into the darkened room, I notice figures gathered around a table.

Some stand to their feet, but they're all staring at me. But the eyes at the head of the table bring ice to my veins.

My breath hitches in my throat as I make eye contact with Kaiden Nikolaou at the head of the table.