Page 66 of Gambler's Conceit
It takes me a moment to process. I’ve been rejected twice in one night, both times because the men said they’retired. Like I ever got to say no whenIwas tired. Like anyone ever fucking cared if I was asleep or exhausted or even sick.
“Okay,” I rasp. Not because it’s fair, or because I understand, but because I don’t know what else to say.
“And I’m not giving away Nacho.” Caleb yawns and gestures across the room. “Miss K seems to like him.”
I follow where he pointed, and my eyes widen when I see Miss K licking Nacho’s head. I wipe at my tears, not wanting to see this through blurry eyes. At least there’s that. At least Caleb won’t really give Nacho away to someone who might mistreat him, or hurt him, or give him less of a life than what he deserves.
Nacho is so sweet and pure, and he deserves better than to be punished on my behalf.
“All right.” I pause, then add in a mumble, “Thank you.”
Caleb grabs the remote and hands it to me, yawning again. “Pick something for us to watch.”
The instinct to flee instead of having to make a decision—no matter how small I know it is—rears its ugly head. “There’s too much to choose from,” I whisper helplessly. “Can we just… go to bed instead?”
“Sure.” Caleb strokes my hair, then tugs it a little sharper. I moan and pull away from the touch so it’s stronger, but Caleb releases me. I let out a whimper of disappointment, but I let him pull me to my feet.
I still feel unsettled, at a loss, and I wrap my arms around myself again. I can feel the raised marks, and those help. Not much. But some.
He leads me into the bedroom, and I climb into bed when he holds the covers up for me.
“Would you really do it?” I ask quietly.
Caleb gets into the bed, takes his glasses off and turns the nightlight off. Then he pulls me into his arms. “Would I what? Lock you up? Put you in danger? Give Nacho away?”
I nod against his chest, unable to croak even one word out as those possibilities pulse in my mind.
Caleb’s breath brushes against my cheek. “I’m going to tell you, but don’t think that means I’m a pushover.”
I hold my breath.
“No. I like the cat. I want you here. Ilikeyou, Seven.”
I swallow hard, then nod. The hard part about all of this is that I do like Caleb, too—and I like Vortex and even Havoc. But I can’t stay here.
After tonight, I’m more sure of that than ever.
I burrow into his arms anyway, wishing I could warm up on the inside. But no matter how hard I try… I just hurt.
And I don’t know if anything can ever change that.
SIXTEEN
HAVOC
The textI got from Caleb just said to come into his suite. I guess he wants to pawn Seven off on me, or there’s some weird non-casino related orders he wants me to take care of. I don’t really know what my job title is, but it seems to be “Caleb’s gofer.”
I feel a mild itch when I walk past the blackjack tables, but I know better than to attempt to gamble. Whatever I could make at the tables pales in comparison to what Caleb’s promising to pay me.
I’ve started looking for a place of my own, but it’s slim pickings in Calamity City. A lot of the condos and apartments got bought up by investors who prefer short term rentals over long-term residents—never mind my background check always fucking me over.
The guards at Caleb’s door let me in. The familiar pang of jealousy hits me when I enter the suites, but I shove that aside.
“Caleb? Seven?” I call out when I don’t immediately spot them.
“In here!” Caleb’s voice calls back, from the direction of his bedroom.
I head in, but I don’t spot them in the bedroom either. The door to the en-suite bathroom is open, though. I peer inside, not sure what to expect.