Chapter 263 - Cards on the table (1/2)

”Well, that was nearly a waste... What now?” Ry asked from the back seat of the car as Giorgos drove toward the palace.

”All we can do is go to the addresses and hope that they either still live there or whoever does will know where to find them...” Poseidon said with an exasperated sigh. ”Until then, I guess just hope Fern is gullible enough to go along with this next plan.”

”If not, we could always go with my idea...” Ry through in.

”If that really was the old omega, shouldn't he know where we could find them? I still think the old bastard is holding something back.” Russ said returning to his earlier argument.

”Nah, an omega wouldn't interact too much with warriors.” Giorgos replied as he pulled into the back entrance of the palace. He chuckled, ”You have got to be the only person I've ever dropped off at this entrance other than workers my entire career as a driver.” He shook his head as he pulled the car into a parking spot and shut the engine off. ”You're not like any royalty we've ever seen around here, even when your parents were alive. Don't get me wrong, they were super friendly and charitable... but they had an air about them... You knew the instant you talked to them; they'd been born into royalty.”

Poseidon shrugged. ”You'd be surprised how down to earth some rulers can be.” He ignored Ry's muffled snort from the back. ”Alright, so everyone understands the plan?” He asked with his hand rested on the door. Everyone in the car nodded as they all pushed open their doors.

Ry and Russ immediately began staggering as Poseidon and Giorgos made their way to the trunk and took out several cases of beer and a few bags from the trunk. They made their way toward one of the downstairs offices making as much noise and drawing as much attention as they could as they went. When one of the maids came to see what the commotion was, Russ asked in a faux slur. ”Is my uncle home by any chance?”

The maid rang out her hands nervously as she bowed her head and replied. ”No, Your Majesty.”

”Could'cha send him our way when you see him?” Russ asked sending her a wink as he popped open one of the beers Poseidon had set out on the table. Russ kept up the pretense as the maid left the room. He rolled his eyes. ”This is never going to work.” He lifted the beer and chugged its contents. ”The least I can do is work up a real buzz. Hell, all I have to do is a quick shift then back as good as new anyway... such a waste really...”

”Speaking of a waste, can you do the thing already? I'm thirsty.” Ry said as he took the two decks of cards out of the bag and began shuffling them.

Poseidon grabbed one of the cans and held it for a few seconds before handing it to Ry. ”Done, enjoy.”

Ry arched his brow. ”It's not going to be piss, is it?” He looked down into the beer can before moving his gaze skeptically back to his father.

Poseidon chuckled, ”No, but great idea, maybe next time.” He said rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

Giorgos arched a brow as he opened a can of his own. ”I'm not following... Am I missing something?”

Poseidon reached out and pressed his hand to the can Giorgos was holding then smiled as he watched the man lift it to his lips. Giorgos's brows furrowed, and his eyes shifted in amazed confusion between the can and Poseidon. ”What is that apple juice? Cool trick... but um... could you turn it back to beer? It's been a long time since I've had a nice cold one.” Poseidon chuckled as he pressed his hand to it again.

Voices sounded from down the hallway before the doors to the room were opened. Two young men looked curiously around before asking. ”Mind if we join? We heard the commotion... and to be frank, this stay has been rather boring.” The man's smile widened. ”Aside from your elaborate introduction the other night.” His smile widened more, revealing gleaming white teeth as he bowed slightly.

Russ fought against the urge to roll his eyes or glare, instead, he forged drunkenness as he pushed a can of beer forward. ”You're just in time... we were just getting ready to go over the rules of the game.” He intentionally slurred some of his words.

The two men walked cautiously toward the table and pulled out seats. Before sitting, the man that had done all the talking so far held out his hand. ”I'm Drake and this is my... friend Mattie.”

The other man rolled his eyes. ”Just Matt, come on dude, you know I hate that name...” He grabbed a can and popped the tab taking a large drink before placing it on the table and leaning back in the chair. ”So, what game are you guys playing?”

Russ clenched his jaw in irritation. {Are the bastards really just going to sit here and act like we're not f.u.c.k.i.n.g mortal enemies?} He forced a smile but knew it probably look sardonic. ”Waterfall... or maybe better known as Kings...” He took the deck and flipped them all upward facing. ”Due to our current level of intoxication...” he paused as Ry and Poseidon sputtered out a laugh and lifted their drinks. ”We are keeping things simple, red it's yours black you give it away.” He selected a random numbered card of each color and held them up. ”Red three, I take three drinks. Black eight, you drink, or I can split the drinks between more than one person.” He tossed them down and selected a mixture of black and red face cards. ”All the jacks are socials, everyone drinks. If you draw a red queen players, ask a question. A black one means you can either choose one person to ask a question or ask everyone. Anyone not willing to answer has to chug the drink in the center of the table. Kings are all rules, you draw one and make a rule like anyone who says drunk has to drink. Aces are waterfall, whoever draws the card starts drinking, then the next person, and so on. He can't stop until the last person to start drinking stops. And last but not least, jokers.” He nodded to the can in the center of the table. ”Anyone who draws either of these has to chug the center can.”

Mattie and Drake exchanged looks before nodding. ”Sounds simple enough,” Drake said as he took one of the cans.

Russ gathered the cards and gave them one last shuffle before spreading them out around the can in the center of the table. ”Ladies first.” He said to Ry.

Ry scoffed, ”Don't mind if I do.” He drew a black five. Tossing it to the table he glared across the table to his father. ”All five to you, Don...” Poseidon smiled as he lifted his drink and took five generous gulps, sending his son a wink once he was finished.

”I guess I'm next?” Mattie asked as he selected a card. He frowned down at the card. ”It would seem luck's not on my side already...” He tossed the red ten to the table as he lifted his can.

Drake chuckled as he selected his card. A smile curved his lips. ”Nine to you... Your Majesty?” He arched a brow at Russ as he said the title.

Russ shrugged as he lifted his drink, masking his irritation. ”Just Russ is fine. I'm not big on titles. The power isn't in the title... it's in the man.” He bit out coldly.

The smile curving Drake's lips widened. ”I get the feeling there's an intriguing story within those words to be told.”

Russ shrugged again as he set his can back on the table. ”Hope for a queen then... If you want to hear it.”

Drake studied the prince. ”I will be... for sure...”