The Billion Dollar Sitter by Eliza DeGaulle Page A

and perfected, his poker face. I could see his demeanor shake from that. Alejandro seemed to be the type that searched for a weakness. He found one that worked on Tyson. Low blows such as that were not things that were against his honor.
    "My relationship with Marci is of no consequence to our business deal or this game, Alejandro. As such, I do not expect you to discuss it."
    "Ah, I was just trying to be friendly. My apologies," Alejandro said. I couldn't truly tell if he was sincere.
    The hands continued to go down. The third player who wanted nothing to do with the petty squabbles between the other two remained silent.
    She didn't matter. A few hands later, she excused herself from the game. The game was down to two. The tension between Tyson and Alejandro made me want to hide behind Tyson's chair.
    The dealer stood between them, unimpressed by their discussion. "Shall we call it a final hand boys? Ten million to the winner."
    Giant numbers started to lose their weight to me.
    Apparently I wasn't the only person who thought so.
    "Ten million? Small potatoes. Is this even really a gamble, Tyson?" Alejandro said. He stroked the tuft of hair on his chin as he leaned back in his chair.
    "Frivolous for us, yes. But we're not playing this game to make money, are we?" Tyson said.
    "I suppose not. We were supposed to be discussing business." He stared over at me. "But the pleasure," he paused a moment, "of the game got in the way. How about we discuss business then. You looked over the proposal I sent your way, yes?"
    "I did. I found the terms lacking. As is, it would be a blow to my business to agree to them, for you see..." Tyson talked business. His mouth moved. I didn't understand a single thing that spilled out of it. I nodded blankly. Alejandro seemed to comprehend, sipping his drink patiently. "Really, Alejandro, I know you can make a better offer." He finished, finally.
    "You do your homework. Great. I suppose if business is off, we can go to pleasure. Such as the wonderful women at our sides."
    Model girl and I exchanged glances.
    "How about a wager then, damn the ten million. The winner of this hand gets," Alejandro laughed to himself as he seductively looked at me. I blankly stared at him like a dork. "The woman of the other."
    Tyson was slow to respond. "You can't be serious."
    "Completely. If your hand is better than mine, I will grant you Alicia here."
    "Um, I told you, my name isn't - " the model tried to butt in.
    "Details," he said. "Of course, if I claim victory, I would like to have your marvelous Marci for the evening."
    Silence. Or maybe time just froze for me. All I know is that I was caught in his gaze. His clear declaration that he wanted me. I was more valuable to him than the model on his arm. I was worth gambling for.
    Reality snapped back as Tyson spoke. "Insanity. You care so little about your date that you can't even get her name right. Marci means so much more to me, and no offense to your date, but I have no interest in her."
    "And that's why you won't even tell me what she is to you? Just some random girl you threw money at in your grief? Someone to cuddle with and remind you of your late wife?"
    If Tyson Knight were a less classy man, he would have jumped over that table and began to strangled Alejandro. Instead, he kept his cool. The only signs of his temper were the trembling of his fists. Even those calmed after a few seconds. "Maybe even I don't know. All that I am certain of is she means much to me."
    "Apologies," it seemed a bit more sincere. "I still hold my offer of the bet. She is quite the charmer, and I would love to experience why you enjoy her so much."
    I stood shaking. My eyes darted away from the situation as they discussed my fate. It seemed I had no say in the matter.
    "So, my friend. Gamble with her."
    "I will not," he firmly replied.
    Alejandro laughed. "Ah, so you are a coward."
    "This is foolish."
    "You always seem to think so. You always act like you're above this, Tyson. But