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Chapter 32: breaking out
2:13 AM. The Nevada desert was a sea of black, broken only by the harsh floodlights of The House's compound. Bill adjusted the cufflinks of his tailored suit—black onyx, specially designed to hide razor-thin lockpicks. The earpiece crackled to life. "Security just diverted to the main hall," Blake murmured. "Victoria took the bait. You're clear for entry." Bill exhaled. Showtime. He strode through the compound's gilded front doors like he owned the place, the scent of expensive cigars and desperation thick in the air. The high-stakes lounge was packed—men in tuxedos clutching sweating glasses of bourbon, women in sequined dresses leaning over roulette wheels with hungry eyes. And at the center of it all, Victoria sat at a diamond-shaped poker table, her blood-red nails tapping the felt. "Mr. Billions," she purred. "I was beginning to think you'd lost your nerve." Bill slid into the seat opposite her, flashing a grin that didn't reach his eyes. "Just wanted to give you t
Chapter 31: drafting a plan
The Audi purred through the twilight streets of Phoenix, the city lights flickering to life as the desert sky deepened into indigo. Lily sat curled in the passenger seat, her knees tucked under her, fingers absently tracing the edges of the phoenix pendant. Bill kept one hand on the wheel, the other resting on the gearshift—close enough that every now and then, her fingertips would brush against his knuckles, sending sparks up his arm. Blake, ever the shadow, had discreetly taken a separate car back to the estate. Lily tilted her head against the window, watching the neon signs blur past. "So," she said, her voice soft but deliberate, "you kissed me." Bill's grip tightened on the wheel. "Yeah." "After three whiskeys." His jaw twitched. "Would've done it sober." Lily turned to look at him then, her gaze sharp and searching. Bill kept his eyes on the road, but he could feel her studying him—the way she always did, like she was peeling back his layers one by one. Finally, s
Chapter 30: Unexpected Romance
The backroom of Jerry’s private study smelled of aged leather and cigar smoke, the amber glow of a single desk lamp casting long shadows across the walls lined with antique gambling memorabilia. Bill slumped in a worn leather armchair, swirling a glass of 18 year old Macallan as Blake and Jerry debated across from him. “You’re being reckless,” Jerry growled, his silver-shot brows knitting together as he stabbed a finger into the mahogany table. “The House doesn’t make idle threats. That stunt with Jeffrey—” “Was a message,” Bill cut in, tossing back the whiskey. It burned going down, but he welcomed the heat. “And I got it loud and clear.” Blake, ever the mediator, refilled Bill’s glass with surgical precision. “The question, Master Bill, is how you intend to respond.” A beat of silence. The grandfather clock in the corner ticked like a detonation countdown. Bill smirked, swirling the fresh pour. “By playing their game better than they do.” Jerry exhaled through his nose,
Chapter 29: At school
The Arizona morning sun painted the university campus in gold as Bill leaned against his car, watching Lily adjust the strap of her backpack for the third time. She wore a loose linen shirt tucked into high-waisted jeans, her hair pulled into a messy bun with a few rebellious strands curling around her face. A coffee cup steamed in her hands, the scent of vanilla and espresso mixing with the dry desert air. "You’re fidgeting," Bill observed, smirking. Lily shot him a glare, but her lips twitched. "I’m not fidgeting. I’m *preparing*." "Uh-huh." He pushed off the car and stepped closer, tugging gently on one of her loose curls. "Botany 101 isn’t a battlefield, Lily." She huffed, but her shoulders relaxed slightly. "Says the guy who treats a poker table like a warzone." Touché. The quad buzzed around them—students laughing, skateboards clattering on pavement, the distant chime of a bike bell. A group of freshmen clustered around a campus map, looking as lost as Lily pretended
chapter 28: A little date
The following evening, the desert air was warm and fragrant with the scent of blooming cacti as Bill adjusted the collar of his dark blue button-down shirt. He stood outside Lily’s guesthouse, hesitating before knocking. This wasn’t really a date—just two friends hanging out but his pulse still kicked up a notch when the door swung open. Lily stepped out, dressed in a flowing sundress the color of sunset, her hair loose around her shoulders. She grinned at him. "You clean up nice, Billy." Bill shoved his hands in his pockets, feigning nonchalance. "Figured we shouldn’t look completely out of place wherever you're dragging me." "Oh, please," she laughed, looping her arm through his. "Like you don’t secretly love the idea of me dragging you somewhere." He didn’t argue because it was true.Lily had chosen an open-air restaurant tucked into the heart of downtown Phoenix. Fairy lights crisscrossed overhead, casting a soft glow over the rustic wooden tables. The hum of conversation a
Chapter 27: Fun at the park
The sun was shining brightly, casting a warm, golden glow over the bustling theme park. The air was filled with the sounds of laughter, the hum of rides, and the faint scent of popcorn and cotton candy. Bill, Blake, and Lily stood at the entrance, their expressions a mix of excitement and curiosity. For the first time in what felt like forever, they had decided to take a break from the weight of their responsibilities and simply enjoy the day. Lily was the first to break the silence, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Alright, boys, where to first? Roller coasters? Ferris wheel? Or maybe something a little less... intense?” Bill chuckled, his lips curving into a small smile. “Let’s start with something easy. Maybe the Ferris wheel?” Blake raised an eyebrow, his expression calm but amused. “Ferris wheel? I expected something a bit more... adventurous from you, Master Bill.” Bill shrugged, his smile widening. “Hey, even I need a break sometimes.” Lily laughed, her voice light and
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