Author: Solitudecoven
Chapters: Chapter 4/?
Rating: Adult
Paring: Spike/Xander
Summary: Spike is the co-owner of a well-known casino known as The Grand Aurelius. Xander is an upcoming professional poker player who is climbing up the leader board. After becoming an infamous and top professional poker player, Spike never played poker again and refused all challengers that was thrown his way; that is until Xander catches more than his eye. HAU
Warnings: Swearing
Disclaimer: I own none of these characters and they rightfully belong to Joss Whedon.
Feedback: Very much appreciated
Beta'd: It wasn't. Beta'd's going to be busy these couple of weeks so all mistakes are done by me. My apologies if there are some.
Past chapters here
Spike swore. Sometimes his business partner could be such a pain in the arse. As he walked down the hallway towards the Angel’s office, Spike came up with a long list of insults to hurl at the poof for disrupting the nice little meeting he had with Xander.
As soon as he reached Angel’s door, he started, “bloody pounce, it’s all your fault that-,”
“Spike,” Angel interrupted before Spike could finish. “Get ready. Lindsey Mcdonald is coming in right now. We have to prepare a show for him. You know how he is.”
“You got to be kidding me,” Spike said disbelievingly.
Angel solemnly shook his head. “Afraid not.”
Spike swore again.
Lindsey Mcdonald was a high ranking associate in a large firm in Las Vegas as well as a big sponsor for The Grand Aurelius. Despite their acquaintance, Spike hated that bastard. To him, Lindsey was an arrogant, annoying son of a bitch who thinks himself as the greatest man alive in this century. Even Spike didn’t think that far about himself.
There was something else about Lindsey that bothered him too. The way the man spoke as though he knew something the rest of the world didn’t and how he seemed to have a knowing smirk, Spike felt as though Lindsey was always doing something behind their backs.
He could understand though, Angel’s need to impress their sponsor. The man was a tad bit fussy with everything that goes around and expects full preparations and everyone at his feet. The work they had to do when he comes to attend as a customer was tiring and needed a lot of manpower. It seemed as though he expects his orders to be met immediately. It was infuriating.
The one thing that bothered him the most was Lindsey’s obvious interest in scouting for talented poker players, and from what his nerves were telling him, Lindsey would be more than interested in a certain young, exceptional poker player.
“Well what you planning to do this time? Having trumpet players to announce his arrival?” Spike asked sarcastically.
“Look, I know you hate that guy and I can’t believe I’m telling you this but I don’t really like him myself, but we’re doing business Spike. At times we have to be diplomatic.”
“I thought you were supposed to do that job!” Spike accused well aware of the eye role Angel was giving him.
“And what are you going to do? Tell him to fuck off?” When he saw Spike was about to agree he quickly reprimanded, “no way in hell are you’re doing that. If you are going to do that you can be well assured that you’ll be kicked out of this place by tomorrow.”
Spike tsked. “Fifty-fifty remember?”
He heard Angel’s incoherent muttering something about him doing the proper and right job all the time but turned a death ear.
Being diplomatic to people he hated was something he detest doing. It was more of Angel’s area. He was mostly there to make sure things were always in order, running head in security. Oh, and not to mention to look out for dark haired young men with extraordinary poker skills. That was definitely the top priority.
“…told Doyle to make sure the food was just right- Spike are you listening to me?” Angel asked him frustrated at the lack of attention Spike was giving him.
“Yeah yeah,” Spike said waving his hand dismissing him. “I just check on security yeah? Make sure no one comes in to murder that brat. Although I’ll probably slip in about a thousand…” Spike trailed off at Angel’s death glare.
“Joking, joking…” Spike hastily told him.
God, sometimes Angel was too serious about this business.
“Look,” Angel said, obviously exasperated, “why don’t you tell Cordy to get ready everything that is need in the HR department? Make sure that someone is always by his side. Goodness knows, I think she’s the only one who actually knows what that guy likes.”
Spike smirked. Good old Cordy.
“Alright then, if you’re done with your nattering I would like to go and attend to a special guest,” Spike said.
Angel looked at him suspiciously. “You’re interested to attend to Lindsey Mcdonald?”
Spike snorted. “You wish. Got someone else pounce, man name Xander Harris. Heard of him?”
Angel brows furrowed. “Yeah, heard about him alright. Heard he defeated the Master hands down. He came here tonight?”
“Got that right poof. Apparently, now hear this: the Master ask him to come here to challenge me,” Spike announced and watch amusedly as Angel brows furrowed even further.
“You taking him up on the challenge then?” Angel finally asked after a minute.
At that statement, Spike smirk grew. “Why not, bloke like that, might reserve a space for him and all.”
“Spike…” Angel said warningly.
“Look, no big deal okay. Probably just a private game, you know just to make sure that people don’t start asking me to play with them,” Spike said.
“And you’re going to make him an exception?” Angel asked as his eyes narrowed.
“Yeah, why not. You should see the bloke too, I assure you, you will make an exception,” Spike said grinning at Angel as he rolled his eyes again. Somehow, Spike was sure that his eyeballs would roll out of his socket by the time his wrinkles start to show as long as he was around.
He turned to leave the office but before he could even step out, he heard Angel softly say, “Spike, just don’t cause any trouble for him okay?”
Spike paused for a moment before replying softly back, “I, god I can’t believe I’m saying this but, I don’t think I would cause any trouble for him Angel. You should see him, the young clad, those eyes, his modesty and humbleness, I can’t imagine such a person still living in this world today.”
A/n: Things are starting to get speed up with my writing. Hang in there guys.