Chapter 6: High Stakes
The taxi rolled to a smooth stop beneath the blazing neon lights of the casino. Towers of glass and gold rose into the night sky, magic-infused signs flashing promises of fortune, ruin, and everything in between.
Xavier stepped out first, adjusting the collar of his borrowed jacket. He glanced back at the taxi for a second, instinctively patting his pocket where his car keys sat.
Not today, he thought. I'm not jinxing that car now that it finally works.
Serena exited after him, her movements fluid, almost too perfect. Heads turned immediately. Some lingered on her face. Others dropped lower. Xavier noticed—and sighed internally.
He reached out and took her hand, more out of habit than thought, guiding her toward the wide marble steps leading into the casino.
She looked down at their joined hands, then back at him.
She said nothing.
Inside, the world exploded into sound.
Slot machines chimed in manic harmony. Dice clattered. Cards slapped against felt. Roulette wheels spun like miniature galaxies, devouring money and spitting out hope. The air smelled of perfume, alcohol, and desperation wrapped in luxury.
Xavier inhaled slowly.
Yeah… this place hasn't changed.
Serena's eyes moved constantly, tracking probabilities, reading body language, and memorizing layouts.
"This establishment revolves around risk-reward loops," she said softly. "I calculate a seventy-two percent chance the average patron leaves with less than they arrived with."
Xavier smirked. "That's gambling for you."
They approached a suited guard near a velvet rope. Xavier reached into his wallet and handed over a black card etched with faint silver runes.
The guard scanned it once.
Then straightened.
"Welcome back, Mr. Cross," he said respectfully. "Second floor access granted."
Serena tilted her head as they were waved through.
"Have you been here before… Host?" she asked. "That guard appeared to recognize you."
"Yeah," Xavier replied casually. "A few times. My parents were part of a mid-ranked guild back in the day. That card belonged to them."
They climbed the stairs together, the noise fading with each step. Halfway up, Xavier suddenly stopped.
Serena nearly walked into him.
He turned, meeting her eyes. "You can call me Xavier. Stop calling me Host."
She paused, processing.
"Affirmative…" she said, then corrected herself. "…Xavier."
A faint smile tugged at his lips as they continued upward.
The second floor was different.
Quieter. Heavier. No flashing lights. No loud cheers.
Just soft music, murmured conversations, and tables where stacks of chips worth more than most houses sat casually in front of bored-looking players. This was where money didn't scream.
It watched.
Xavier barely had time to take it all in before a familiar voice cut through the atmosphere.
"Xavier? That you?"
He turned.
At a blackjack table sat a man a few years older than him, hair neatly styled, expensive watch glinting under the lights. His grin was wide and confident.
"Travis," Xavier said, surprised. "Damn, you're still alive?"
Travis Fields laughed. "Living, baby cousin. Living good. What about you?"
"Just quit my job," Xavier replied honestly.
Travis's eyebrows shot up. Then he grinned wider. "Then you came to the right place. C'mon—let's get you in a game."
Xavier gestured to Serena. "This is Serena. My new business partner."
Travis gave her a once-over, impressed. "Business, huh? And you need capital, right?"
Xavier shrugged. "Something like that."
Travis leaned in conspiratorially. "Then you wanna know who's hot tonight. Old Man Avery. Won five million already. Still playing."
Xavier's eyes flicked toward a nearby table.
"Figures," he muttered.
He looked at Serena. "You can stay here with Travis or come with me."
She didn't even hesitate. She stepped forward, staying at his side.
They approached the table together.
"Old Man Avery," Xavier said loudly. "Still alive and kicking?"
The old man looked up, sharp eyes narrowing—then lighting up.
"Xavier!" Avery laughed. "Boy, it's been too long. You've got your parents' eyes."
His gaze slid to Serena. "And who's this? Your girlfriend?"
"Business partner," Xavier replied quickly.
Avery chuckled, clearly unconvinced, but didn't push. "Good to see you doing well."
"Trying to," Xavier said. "Actually… you wouldn't happen to know any good places for starting a business, would you?"
Before he could elaborate, Serena spoke.
"The business requires a large structure," she said calmly. "With significant space for expansion and… additional functions."
Avery stroked his chin thoughtfully. "There is a property near the outskirts. Old logistics warehouse. Big. Real big."
"How much?" Xavier asked.
"Ten million," Avery replied.
The table went quiet.
Xavier nodded slowly. Then looked up.
"Want to play a hand?"
Avery raised an eyebrow. "What's the bet?"
"Twenty million."
For a moment, Avery laughed.
Then he saw Xavier's face.
The laughter died.
The friendly warmth vanished, replaced by something sharp and dangerous. The dealer silently stepped forward, shuffling the cards.
Chips were stacked. The table leaned in.
Xavier sat down.
Serena stood behind him, hands clasped, eyes glowing faintly.
Luck, Xavier thought calmly. Let's see what you're worth.
The hand ended quietly.
No cheers. No explosions.
Just Avery exhaling slowly, pushing his chips forward.
"Well," the old man said, forcing a smile. "Looks like the kid's got fate on his side."
Xavier stood, heart pounding, face calm.
"Pleasure playing with you," he said.
Outside, the cool night air hit them as they waited for another taxi.
Serena finally spoke. "Funds secured. Probability of mission success increased significantly."
Xavier laughed softly, hands in his pockets.
"Yeah," he said. "Tomorrow, we buy a building."
The city lights reflected in his eyes as the taxi pulled up.
The delivery had only just begun.