Page 83 of Gambler's Conceit

Seven’s smile is blindingly bright. “Yeah? So I don’t have to worry about anyone else swooping in?”

It’s funny that he’s the one who’s worried about having to share me, when I’m already sharing him with two other men.

“No other men for me,” I promise him. I pull him closer to me and take a quick sip of my beer. “Maybe you can help me decorate. What color should I paint my walls? Provided the landlord isn’t an asshole who forbids it.”

Seven’s smile flickers. “Just not green,” he says in a mumble. “I hate green.” He sighs, his shoulders slumping, and he seems distant as he continues, “Not that I’ll ever get to see it. Caleb isn’t gonna let me out of here any time soon.”

I squeeze him tighter. “Yeah, well. He can’t keep you here forever.”

I want to say more, but the relative quiet of the afternoon bar is interrupted by shouting. It’s that asshole Grant, and he’s laying into one of the servers.

“You call this clean?” he shouts, and I watch in disbelief as he grabs the tablecloth and pulls.

All the plates and silverware that were on the table crash onto the floor.

Before I can even react, Seven has wrestled free of my arm and is marching over to them with a thunderous expression on his face. His hands clench tight at his sides, and he snaps, “You can’t treat people like this. Especially not on the floor. Caleb’s?—”

“Caleb is what, you little pissant?” Grant snarls back. “You gonna go tattle to your daddy again?”

“Yes,” Seven says, glaring at him.

Grant makes a grab for him, but before he can touch Seven, I’m right up on him.

I pull on Grant’s shoulder, and when he turns to yell at me, I punch him in the face.

Grant yells and drops to the floor, next to the spilled drinks. While he’s still dazed, I grab him and drag him toward theemployees-only section of the bar. He stumbles along, shouting something I can’t hear.

Unlike Vortex, he doesn’t put up much of a fight. I lay into him, beating him bloody against the hallway wall.

I should stop.

I need to stop.

I have a job right now.

I can move into a nicer place soon.

I’ve got friends, maybe.

I have Seven.

But I keep beating on Grant, because fuck this piece of shit for ruining a nice afternoon and taking his insecurities out on one of his workers.

For taking them out onSeven.

“Hey! Hey, Havoc!” Seven is shouting from behind me. I feel a hand on my arm, and I jerk away, but he grabs onto me again. “He’s not worth it! Havoc!”

I don’t immediately register the panic in his voice, but a glance at his face shows me that he’s pale and even downright distraught. For that asshole? It only pisses me off more.

“He fucking deserves it,” I growl, grabbing Seven’s shoulders so I can turn him away. “You know he does. He’s a fucking bully.”

“I know,” Seven says. “But you can’t just beat the shit out of him for being a dick. What if Caleb kicks you out and doesn’t let you come back?”

I freeze.

My hands on Seven’s shoulders are bruised and bloody. I let go abruptly and stare down at my shaking hands.

“I…” I swallow hard and look at Seven. “I don’t want to lose you,” I say hoarsely. “But I can’t… I can’t fucking control myself. When I get angry, and it all comes out, and then I’mhurtingpeople, and…”