Page 74 of Gambler's Conceit
“One,” Vortex says, his voice firm.
“Are you going to take my keys, too?” I ask him.
He shakes his head, then looks at Madeline.
“A margarita, please,” she answers. Vortex goes to the bar, leaving me alone with Madeline.
“I really will talk to Caleb,” I say. “I know it’ll probably put you on Grant’s shit list, but you’re already there. So…” I shrug. “Has to be better than being on his shit listandserving drinks to the drunks on the slots.”
Madeline laughs. “Thanks, I appreciate it.” She glances past me at Vortex, then leans in closer, “Grant’s an asshole. Everybody on staff knows it. He manages to be nice to the customers, but he fucking power trips with us.”
“He didn’t even seem good with that particular customer,” I remark. “And he was definitely quick to act like a five-year-old with me.” Smirking, I add, “Maybe I just have that effect on people.”
“He doesn’t like Caleb,” Madeline says in a near whisper. “Um, don’t tell Caleb I told you that, okay? I don’t want to be the one passing rumors on to the boss.”
“Caleb probably already knows,” I say. “I just don’t know why he keeps Grant around. He doesn’t seem like a prize.” I know I’m prodding for information, but it’s not like I can just ask Vortex. He respects Caleb too much to spread gossip.
“Grant’s been here longer than Caleb,” Madeline says. “Caleb got the casino like… five, six years ago? Grant’s been here for ages though. Used to be the man in charge back when Caleb’s uncle owned the place. Caleb shook things up, which is why Grant’s got a bug up his ass about it.” Madeline pauses, then adds, “Or so the old timers tell me. You’d have to ask Linda for the full gossip.”
Linda.
I fight the urge to shudder when I think about her. She’d seemed nosy and overbearing, and I hadn’t wanted to be around her. That’s the only problem with wanting to see Della Mortay again and meet the others. I’ll have to go through her.
I don’t know why she stirred such strong feelings inside of me.
No, that’s not true. I know exactly why, and that thoughtdoesmake me shiver in discomfort.
It’s okay, baby.
Vortex returns with our drinks and sets them down in front of us. I take a sip and scowl at it.
“This is more coke than rum,” I say.
“Yep,” Vortex agrees. He takes a swig of his beer. “Madeline, how’s the wife? Pregnancy going well?”
Madeline smiles brightly. “Oh, she’s doing great! On her second trimester now. We picked out decor for the nursery.” Shepulls out her phone and tabs over to some photos of a pregnant Latina woman. “It feels unreal, y’know? We’re going to be moms soon.”
My mouth goes dry, and I take a long sip of my drink as I try to combat my instant, visceral reaction to the idea that this woman is going to be responsible for a baby. It’s nothing against Madeline, who seems nice and friendly, but…
So doesshe.
I swallow hard, staring over the balcony railing as she and Vortex continue to chat.
Maybe I really should throw myself over the edge. No one would see it coming. No one would be able to stop me.
Caleb would never be able to threaten to bring me to the authorities again.
“Seven?” Vortex touches my arm, frowning. “You still with us?”
My attention snaps back to the present, and I look between them. Painting a fake smile onto my lips, I nod. “Sorry. Mind wandered a little. Your wife is very pretty, Madeline.”
From the uncomfortable look she gives me, I have a feeling they’d started to talk about something else while I’d been zoned out. Well, fuck.
The phone screen is no longer on a picture of a woman, but rather a mostly empty room with green walls.
Pale green, not forest green, but it still makes me flinch.
I fucking hate the color green.