Page 46 of Gambler's Conceit

He shudders. “Nope, not a fan of walking around the desert, thanks.” His brows furrow, and he takes his time before adding, “Too fucking hot.”

“Not if you go at a better time of year.” I lean back and consider. “Okay, no hiking. And casinos are out too, so… I guess I could drive you to the nearby rest stop for another bathroom quickie. There’s a romantic glory hole there and everything.”

He laughs, and I have to admit he looks fucking gorgeous with the smile. “Deal.”

The conversation meanders as we eat, more amicable now that we aren’t talking directly about ourselves.

“How did you lose that badly at blackjack, though?” I ask after the second beer. “I taught you how to play better!”

“I was trying!” Seven complains. “I mean, first of all, you can’t expect me to remember what you taught me when I was getting groped at the same time. And second of all…”

I wait, and when he doesn’t continue, I prompt, “Second of all?”

Seven makes a frustrated sound. “I was so sure I was doing the math properly, so I kept hitting, but then I’d go over. But Iknew I could do it, so I had to try again. At some point I have to win.”

I laugh and shake my head. “Uh, you don’t. That’s not how probabilities work.”

He gives me a sour look. “It’s how casino probabilities work, right? You keep going, and eventually the house will let you win. Or does that just apply to slot machines?”

“No, for slot machines, you just have to pick the right machine.” When Seven gives me a confused look, I sigh. “Some machines have worse odds because they’re near the card tables, and they don’t want the noise of the machine to bother the players. But anyway, the house is not going to let you win at blackjack just to make you feel better.”

“Well, it should,” Seven says. “It’s not like it matters, though. I’m just spending Caleb’s money. What do I care if I win or lose?”

“Caleb might care,” I point out. Then I grin. “Which means you should spend as much of it as you can.”

He grins back at me. “I like the way you think.” He scoots over in the booth so he’s right next to me, then rests his head on my shoulder. “Hey. I know you can’t actually play since you’re an employee or whatever, but you can come with me, can’t you? Keep me company?”

I wrap my arm around his shoulders and roll my eyes. “You’re trying to get me fired before I even get a single paycheck.” On a whim, I kiss him chastely, then immediately blush. I’m glad my face doesn’t get as red as a white guy’s would, but I avert my gaze despite myself. “Uh, let’s get to that show, though. Wouldn’t want to waste those tickets.”

“Yeah. The tickets you earned,” Seven says sweetly. “But you get me all evening, so…”

“Sure. I’ll watch you lose at blackjack after the show is over.” I ruffle his hair and stand up. “Now we’re off to the sexy circus.”

“It had better be good,” Seven says, batting his eyelashes at me. “Otherwise, I’ll just have to keep myself entertained some other way.”

Somehow, I don’t get the feeling he’d mind.

TWELVE

SEVEN

The seats Calebgot for us aren’t the best in the house, but they are fairly isolated. I don’t know if he did that on purpose or if it was by random chance that we ended up in a corner, with Havoc between me and the exit. He’s large enough that I bet nobody can see me past him.

There’s also nobody sitting directly around us.

“Have you ever been to one of these?” I ask Havoc, unsure of why I’m so apprehensive of all the empty space around our seats.

Havoc shakes his head. “Nah. It’s like eighty bucks for a ticket. I’ve got better things to spend my money on.”

I can’t imagine spending eighty dollars on a ticket to one of these shows, either.

I wonder how well the performers get paid.

A dark part of me wonders whether they get paid at all.

I shake it off, watching the empty stage as others file into their seats and settle down. Havoc’s arm wraps around me, and he pulls me close to him. I let him, humming as though I’m pleased to be that close to him, but I feel uncomfortable in my skin.

The lights dim, and the show begins. A woman in a skimpy outfit introduces herself as the MC, warns people that it’s going to be a raunchy show, then launches into some comedy routine while the other performers get ready around her.