Gambler's Folly

By Mellie Miller

While vacationing on Gambler’s Folly with her husband, Trae, Karianna O’Brien’s life is ripped apart when he loses her to Damiano Leone in a game of chance. Within two days, she is divorced, widowed, and married to Damiano, the darkly desirable, powerful and dangerous lord of the underworld.

Irresistibly drawn to Damiano, Karianna enters his world of wealth and glamour, while he teaches her the meaning of pleasure and sensuality in his bed. Though married to Trae for four years, she’s never experienced true seduction, or sex so exquisite it could become an addiction. Is he really human, or something else?

As Damiano’s enemies threaten Karianna to leverage his vote in the syndicate, he gambles all he’s worth in a dangerous game of skill. Will his plans pay off in time to save Karianna? Or will he lose both his business and his soul mate?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mellie Miller
• Release date: Sep 19, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463943472

Mellie Miller

Born in the Midwest, I've lived all over the USA since I finished college in California. Me and my guy have been together for 46 years now, with 2 daughters and 5 grandsons. We've finally settled in northeast Georgia.I write mostly mainstream sensual Fantasy Romance, often with a twist of the paranormal. My first published book was Gambler's Folly, which I published through Bookstrand. I have published the sequels to Gambler's Folly here at Smashwords.Dante's Angel--Book 2The Russian--Book 3Gambler's Folly is futuristic, with intrigue and shape-shifters.I have a second series with four books--and more to come--called Esperance.Jareth, First Lord--Book 1Viviane, First Lady--Book 2Morgan--The Pixie and the Green Man--Book 3Too Many Talents--Viviane and Connell--Book 4I have a stand-alone published under the pen-name Sultonna Nadine, titled Master of the Fleet. Set in the late 1800's, in an alternate time-line of the American Northwest. elemental magic is nothing unusual. Richard, as Master of the Fleet has control over wind and water. What he doesn't have control of is his heart.I have several more books planned in each series, as well as several stand-alones in the works.I am a Reiki practitioner, a second degree martial artist, musician and artist, as well as a writer. I feel this background gives me a lot of experience to draw on for my characters.Like my page on Facebook, check out the blog, and watch for my books to appear here on Smashword!https://www.facebook.com/meleighscreations

Book preview

Chapter 1

I’ll give you one more chance, Mr. O’Brien. Your whole debt, free and clear on the next hand. One more bet, one more game of chance. You win, everything is wiped clean, the man in the shadows offered.

Trae was in a very bad way, just now. Running his hands through his short, sandy hair made it stick up worse than it already had. Blue eyes troubled, sweat trickling down his back, he was desperate to have anything go his way, but his luck just wouldn’t turn. Now heavily indebted to one of the most dangerous men on the pleasure paradise Gambler’s Folly, he had to do something.

But I have nothing else to put on the table, Trae insisted. You’ve already won everything I’ve got.

Not quite. You have one more possession.

What?

The lovely Karianna. If you win, you keep her and leave debt-free. If you lose, Mr. Leone keeps the lady, and everything else is cleared? Agreed?

Kari, my wife? No, no deal!

That’s a shame, Mr. O’Brien. If that’s the way you want it, you have thirty days to come up with the 1,000,000 Marks you owe. If you fail, your life is forfeit.

Where am I going to get M1,000,000 in thirty days? a frantic Trae asked. The voice in the shadows was completely neutral as it offered him his wife or his life.

Choose, Mr. O’Brien. You are wasting my time and goodwill.

Trae thought hard for a few minutes. His marriage was on the rocks anyway. Karianna’s biggest complaint was his gambling. It was a weird twist of fate, risking her to pay off his debts. But what else did he have? With no money, no house, no vehicle, and no job, she’d never stay with him after this. They didn’t even have tickets home any more. What did he really have to lose?

Mr. O’Brien, I’m awaiting your answer.

OK, if I gamble Kari, Mr. Leone will cancel all other debts, either way?

Yes, Mr. O’Brien. All of your debts and your wife on the table, win or lose on one hand.

Deal the cards.

Slowly, deliberately, the dealer laid the cards on the table. As Trae looked at his hand, he had a fleeting moment of hope. He had a Queen-high straight. Not a certain hand, but good. That hope was dashed as the man in the shadows showed his cards—a royal flush.

Careful to keep his hands in view, Trae pushed his chair away from the table. So, that’s it I guess. All debts cleared?

Yes, once Karianna has been turned over to Mr. Leone’s representatives, all debts are cleared. I’ll need you to sign a document transferring all interest in her to Mr. Damiano Leone, from today forward. Understood?

Yes, I understand.

Good. Then Mr. Leone’s men will accompany you to your suite and take possession of the lady in question. By the time you return, the paperwork will be ready.

* * * *

Karianna brushed her dark brown hair as she tried to decide what to do. She was angry, green eyes snapping at her reflection in the mirror. She had been promised a vacation, someplace exotic, two weeks just for the two of them. Hoping for a nice, romantic getaway, in her heart of hearts she knew she would be disappointed.

With one last shred of hope, she’d agreed to a vacation and they’d wound up here, the gambling center of the star system. Of course it was paradise for Trae. He lived to gamble. He would bet on anything and usually lost. Heaven only knew what he would lose this go-around.

She’d dreamed, like all girls, of someone strong, handsome, and mysterious. Someone who took your breath away. And like most of the women she knew, she’d eventually realized she would never meet Prince Charming and settled for what was she could find—Trae. At least she was married, and that’s what counted, right?

Alright, Trae wasn’t breathtakingly handsome, but he wasn’t bad. There was no mystery or romance. Their sex life was nearly nonexistent anymore. She was frustrated at every turn. Why couldn’t she have met a real man’s man and been swept off her feet? Or at least have met someone who cared for her more than he did a deck of cards.

Attacking her hair with the brush, hot tears filling her eyes, her disappointment was overwhelming. Why had she believed his lies once again? She had spent all but their first day here alone, and there was over a week left before returning home. Today, she’d gone swimming, and then taken a trip to the spa to get her nails done. What the hell? He was losing it all anyway, so she had a pedicure to go with it. Lunch was dismal as she sat alone, picking over the elegant meal included in the vacation package.

Later in the afternoon, she’d taken a nap and awakened with the uneasy feeling that something was very wrong. Trae wasn’t back yet and it was past time for dinner. Where was he? She slammed the brush down on the dressing table and dried her eyes, as anger overcame disappointment.

Wondering what to do, she heard the sound of his key card in the lock. Where in the hell… she began as Trae entered the room, followed by two well-built men in expensively tailored suits. Trae, what’s going on? Who are these guys?

Hi, sweetheart. These men are associates of Mr. Leone. They’ve come to take you to him.

Take me to—Mr. Leone? The biggest mob boss on the planet?

Um, yeah. I kind of lost a bet. Sorry.

You lost a bet? What kind of bet? What have you done, Trae O’Brien?

Well, you won’t have to worry about the house anymore, or the car, or really anything. I lost all of it. Then, in order to get out from under that and a M1,000,000 debt, he insisted I put you on the table, as it were. Win or lose, one hand, and all my debts were gone. Just if I lost, he got you. And I lost. Sorry.

Sorry? Sorry?! You’re more than sorry, Trae. What the hell? she shouted, as one of the impeccably dressed men took her arm.

Come along, Mrs. O’Brien. Mr. Leone is waiting.

I’m not going anywhere with you. Get your hands off me!

As she struggled with one man, the other one found her purse, and checked for her passport and papers. Speaking into what must have been a wrist communicator, man number two said, We have the lady. Mr. O’Brien will be right down to sign the papers.

Papers? What papers, Trae?

The older of the two men smiled and said, The ones signing away his rights to you, love. Come along.

Trae? Trae!

Downstairs, watching her husband sign away his debts, Karianna was numb. How could this even be legal? Did it matter when you were dealing with the mob?

Pushing the signed papers across the table, Trae said, Well, that’s that I guess. You’re sure we’re good?

Mr. Leone was very clear about it. One hand, win or lose, all debts forgiven.

What about me? Kari asked, in shock. What am I supposed to do?

The man in the shadows was quiet for a moment, and then said, Go ahead and take her downstairs, to one of the special guest rooms. Mr. Leone will see her there and decide what to do with her.

Entering the elevator, one of her escorts used a pass card to select a private underground floor. From what she’d heard about the place, the lower-level suites were exclusive and outrageously expensive.

The suite they opened for her certainly bore that out. Stepping onto the lush carpet was like stepping onto a cloud. Hidden mood lighting around the perimeter of the ceiling lit the area evenly, while the trickling water in a small fountain created a gentle background sound. Live plants grew under specialized lights and the scent in the air was soothing.

Just relax, have a drink if you wish. Mr. Leone will be here shortly, one of the men told her. And then they were gone.

Turning back toward the door, Karianna tried the latch, just for the sake of trying. Locked. For all the creature comforts and beauty in the room, it was really just a cushy cell. But she didn’t intend to stay here any longer than she had to. Chances were good that, if she could reach the elevator, she could get back to the lobby. Usually pass cards were needed only to enter a floor, not to leave it. Now, what could she use as a weapon?

As the door opened, she tensed, ready to make her escape. Unfortunately, Mr. Leone had come prepared. The first bodyguard easily caught the floor lamp she swung at him and set it on the floor beside the door.

Restraints, she heard someone say. After a struggle with both bodyguards, Karianna found she was snugly restrained between two poles, clothes torn and disheveled. While she’d been looking over the room, she’d thought they were for in-room entertainment. She now saw they were equipped for hand and ankle restraints. Soft and cushioned, the restraints were nevertheless effective. Adjustable stops kept her from sliding the restraints up and down, holding her firmly in place, exactly as she was.

Thank you, gentlemen, she heard the voice say. It was a deep, dark, sensual voice which made her spine tingle. We’ll be fine now.

Yes, Mr. Leone. Have a pleasant evening, she heard one of the bodyguards answer. The door opened, closed, and she was alone with a man many had reason to fear.

Chapter 2

For the first time, Karianna got a look at Damiano Leone, said to be the most powerful, dangerous man in the underworld. Tall and dark, in a Mediterranean way, he was dressed impeccably. Dark gray jacket and trousers were paired with a black silk shirt, gray tie, and ruby tie pin. His hair, nearly black, was moderately short and wavy, but his eyes captured her attention. Instead of dark brown, or maybe blue, they were a dark, stormy gray, the color of the Great Lakes just before a storm.

Then there was the apple. As he came into view, he was polishing a large, red apple on his lapel. Without a word to her, he took a bite of the apple, as his eyes swept up and down her body.

Munching his apple, he walked slowly around her, about two meters away, his eyes taking in every detail, as she stood immobilized by the restraints. Finally, to break the silence, she asked, What are you doing? After which she thought it a really dumb question.

Finishing his bite of apple, he simply replied, Admiring my new acquisition.

As he continued his survey, all Kari could think about was how dowdy she must look compared to everyone else around him. The plain red dress she wore had been one of her best. Made of synthetic silk, the dress was blousy in the bust and gathered at her waist by a wide, black belt, with a large silver-tone buckle, now ruined and hanging by the belt loops. The dress had been ripped down the front during the previous struggles, exposing her body down to the waist. The side slit had torn most of the way to her waist, too, so it covered next to nothing.

Not bad. Not bad at all, she heard him say. Finished with his walk-around and his apple, he threw the apple core in the bin, carefully wiped his hands on a small white towel, and turned back toward Kari.

As she watched, he took something from his trousers pocket. With a small click, a long, slim blade appeared in his hand. His eyes held hers as he slowly advanced toward her.

What are you doing? she asked in a panic. I haven’t done anything to you. Just let me go, and I swear, I’ll never say a word about any of this. Please!

Without a word, he studied her face for a moment, and then chuckled. Your clothes are in ribbons, cara, and I would like to get a good look at you, he said. Do you mind?

Looking down at what remained of her dress, she decided he could see nearly all of her anyway. She glared angrily at the man in front of her. That was my best dress! she exclaimed. What am I going to wear now, you bastard? she shouted at him, as panic was replaced by anger. Why not? It’s already trashed.

His left hand removed her belt and tossed it aside. The knife reached out and sliced through the bits of fabric which still held the dress together. As it slumped into a heap on the floor, she continued to glare at him, angrily.

The knife resheathed, Mr. Leone began his examination again. Could you at least say something? Kari asked. Hello…?

That confirms my first opinion, he finally answered, his eyes admiring her body.

And what was that? Kari asked, too amazed by events to be afraid.

Instead of answering, he walked behind her and placed his hands on her hips. May I? he asked, as his hands gently swept up her body, over her abdomen, rib cage, and weighed her breasts in his hands, before coming up and over her shoulders, and down her spine to her hips again.

Something about his touch was electrifying, though she didn’t think it was meant to be sexual. Just Mr. Leone examining his merchandise. Why she found it exciting, she really couldn’t say.

Nearly perfect. Nothing a few weeks with a private trainer won’t put right, was his final word on the matter.

Private trainer? Why do I need a private trainer?

Because I demand perfection, or as close to it as is humanly possible. You’re a beautiful woman, but with just a little toning and reshaping, you’ll be an Aphrodite, the epitome of the female form. I’ll have a dietician come up, too, to specify your nutritional requirements.

I beg your pardon. Who are you to tell me what to do with my body? I’m fine, thank you very much.

You now belong to me, and you will do as I command.

I belong to no one. And I’ll do as I please, she stated firmly.

That may have been true before, but no longer. You need some decent clothing. I’ll send a tailor to get your measurements. Ciao, cara, he said, as he walked toward the door.

How about getting me out of these things? she asked.

After the tailor has come and gone. You can’t be trusted to behave.

Sputtering in exasperation, Karianna couldn’t even stamp her foot, so she just stood and fumed while she waited. Quite some time later, the door admitted the seamstress, a blonde woman slightly older than Karianna. She seemed not at all astounded by Kari’s predicament, and Karianna supposed that, if she regularly worked for Mr. Leone, she’d probably seen it all by now.

Hi, Karianna, she began. You can call me Lea. Mr. Leone tells me you need some new things pretty quickly. So, once I get some measurements, I can bring up some things off the rack.

Well, I had a few things in my previous room you could bring down. They should be fine for the next little while.

Oh, no. Those are in the bin. Mr. Leone was quite insistent. In a day or two, I’ll have the first of your tailored clothes. He said to make only a few for now, as you’re starting a training program which will alter your shape a little.

Still firmly secured, Kari could only cooperate with the whole thing. In a few minutes Lea had finished, taking measurements Karianna never dreamed of, especially for just a few things.

Well, you have lovely long legs, sweetie, but I’ll bet you have trouble buying trousers with an 86cm inseam.

I never really worried about it.

Someone will be in shortly with a couple changes of clothes, and to get you out of that contraption. See you later.

Shortly was another half hour. A young woman, about nineteen, brought in a selection of underclothes, a dressing gown, a couple blouses, two skirts, and a pair of trousers. She also had some slippers and one pair of dressy sandals.

This should keep you for today, she told Kari. We’ll have a few new items tomorrow.

Kari thought she was leaving, but she opened the door for two of Mr. Leone’s men. They nodded to the girl and then came over to release her from the restraints. Though they didn’t say a word, or give her more than a cursory glance, she somehow felt more than naked, with two male strangers so close to her. Restraints removed, they backed to the door, nodded, and left.

Alone and unrestrained for the first time in at least two hours, Kari quickly dressed. She wasn’t normally overly modest, but her recent experiences had changed her perspective a bit.

She had been ready for dinner before this whole thing started, and was hoping for something to eat. Walking across to the small refrigerator, she was disappointed to find only mineral water and zero-calorie drinks. Surely he wouldn’t leave her to starve.

Just as she was considering trying the live plants as a salad, someone new came through the door. Sorry I took so long to get here, he said. An older, slightly stoop-shouldered gentleman around sixty, he carried a medical kit.

Who are you? Kari asked nervously.

Oh, I’m Dr. Kelsey, MD and nutritionist. Mr. Leone wanted me to give you an exam and advise him on your diet.

Well, I’ve never had any health issues. Why do I need a diet specialist?

Just a precaution, my dear. He said you were going to be doing some rigorous physical training, and wanted to make sure you had no problems. When did you last eat?

Lunchtime. I was getting ready for dinner when Mr. Leone brought me here.

It’s nearly 2300h now, so this should be fine, he told her, taking out a tourniquet and the other items he would need to draw three vials of blood.

So with blood drawn, basic physical exam and medical history finished, the good doctor said he’d have some dinner sent up for her. I’ll have a nutrition plan for you tomorrow. I don’t expect it to be unusual, or particularly restrictive, so don’t worry.

Dr. Kelsey was as good as his word. The meal wasn’t large, but between the stress of the evening and the late hour, it was sufficient. Karianna ate quickly, drank the coffee which came with the meal, and found she was completely worn out.

Sliding in between ivory silk sheets and selecting her comfort level on the bed, she turned on the ambient sound to help her drift off. The lights dimmed to candlelight as she got comfortable on the bed, and then slowly winked out.

Chapter 3

Karianna had no idea what time it was when she woke up, but once awake and dressed, she looked for a way to escape her pretty prison cell. Being underground, there were no windows, and the only door was the one into the corridor. Damn! Where was the dumbwaiter you always saw in the films? Maybe something small and heavy over the head of the next person in the door.

Well, maybe not, since the first person to enter was room service with food. Of course, the girl was scared half to death when she saw Kari standing behind the door, brandishing a table lamp.

The second person to come in was Dr. Kelsey with her diet plan. He’d been somewhat shaken by the lamp, too. Sooner or later, someone she wanted to cosh would come in. But after seeing the doctor, the tailor with a couple new outfits, and room service again, she was left alone right up to lunchtime.

By this time, she was nearly afraid to hide by the door, for fear of decking some innocent who was just trying to help. So the next time she heard the door, she was a little late getting to it. One of Mr. Leone’s bodyguards came through and had just enough time to divert the lamp from its trajectory before being hit in the face.

Restraints, she heard Mr. Leone say, as the lamp shattered on the corner of an end table and fell to the floor. Once more, after a brief struggle, she was restrained. Dismissing the two guards, he came, apple in hand, and stood in front of her, shaking his head.

Cara, why do you do these things? I was only coming to see if you had everything you need, and to perhaps talk about what I had planned for you. But discussing anything with you restrained is a little awkward, don’t you think?

Why am I here? And why won’t you let me go? I don’t have any money to give you and I don’t have any family with money either. So if you’re thinking of ransom, there is none, Kari said.

Finishing a bite of apple, he said, You are here, Karianna, because your ex-husband lost a bet he shouldn’t have made, in order to clear other debts he owed to me amounting to over M1,000,000. And you are here, not for ransom, but to keep you safe.

Ex-husband? Kari asked, confused. I have no ex-husband, only Trae.

Who is, I’m afraid, an ex-husband now. Once he lost you to me, your marriage was dissolved and you became mine. By tomorrow, the paperwork will have cleared and it will all be legally binding.

Dissolved? How is it dissolved? I signed no divorce papers. Besides, I have a ticket, with passage back to Earth. You can’t keep me here. The sound from the apple was beginning to be annoying.

First, you have no passage. The tickets were among the first items to go. And on Gambler’s Folly, things can be done a little more expediently, for obvious reasons. Once Trae signed the papers relinquishing all interest in you, the paperwork was filed with the court. Since you were relinquished to pay a debt, all interest was transferred to me, to do with as I will. Therefore, you will soon be Karianna Leone, my wife.

I will be what? Kari shouted. Your wife? We were never married. I didn’t agree to any such thing.

Please, cara mia, calm down. These things happen. It’s best just to accept the situation, for better or worse. And it’s not forever. I’ve filed for a two-year irrevocable contract only, to keep you safe. So after two years, if the contract is not renewed by both parties, you will be free.

But what about now? Kari asked.

This is why I wanted to talk to you, before you created a scene. It would be so much easier if we could sit down over lunch and have a friendly conversation. In fact, I will discuss this no longer. Tomorrow maybe you’ll be in a better mood.

Once again, after he left, his two men came in to release her and she was alone. Most of the day she napped off and on, occasionally watching the news on the viewer. One item in particular caught her attention.

Early this morning, the body of a man in his late thirties was found outside the spaceport near the capitol city of Speranza. Identified as Trae O’Brien, the man held a boarding pass for passage to Earth. Police think he was trying to escape a large debt owed to the prince of the underworld, Damiano Leone, owner of the casino chain Stella d’Oro. They are still collecting evidence related to the death.

Trae was dead? And the news suggested murder. After all Leone’s talk of clearing his debts, after winning her from Trae, he’d had him killed anyway. Bastard! In a blind fury, Karianna destroyed everything at hand. Lamps, goblets, glass-topped table, it all crashed into small, tinkling splinters of glass.

The noise from her destruction must have alerted someone. Soon, the door opened once again, to admit Mr. Leone and his guards. Kari threw a decanter at his head, which he caught and set back on a surviving end table.

Restraints, he said once again.

Liar! All lies to make me cooperative. You never meant for him to live through the night after he left. You bastard!

With Karianna once again restrained, Mr. Leone approached her shaking his head. If you like restraints so much, simply ask. You needn’t try to kill Marco or Paolo every time they enter the room. Seeing the news on the viewer he added, Cara, I’m so sorry the news has upset you. Trust me when I say I had nothing to do with it.

Liar! Who else would have done it? First you take away everything he has, and then you take his life.

Karianna, where do you suppose he got the ticket for Earth?

How should I know? she replied angrily.

Well, he had no money and nothing to sell or pawn. He’d lost everything he owned, including his ticket. I was not the only one he owed money and I knew it. I bought him the ticket, with the instruction never to return to Gambler’s Folly.

Really. And why would you do that? she asked.

To save his life. He was a bright young man. If he could have quit gambling, he could have made something of himself. But now…

But now, what?

Now he’ll never have the chance I tried to give him. At least you were spared, cara mia. And that is one reason I brought you here. With him alive, you were a pawn to be used in this game. Once he signed away his rights, you, at least, were safe. Especially with me. Few are foolish enough to anger me.

You really expect me to believe you had nothing to do with Trae’s death, Karianna said skeptically.

I am a man of my word. In my business, I have to be. I cleared his debts with me and gave him a way out. The fact it didn’t work is nothing to do with me. I swear it.

Still angry, not believing what Mr. Leone told her, she did what first came to mind. "Bastard! Liar! I