Page 58 of Love Gamble

She didn’t think Robert would hurt her, either.

I stare at my phone, but she doesn’t say anything else. And you know what? It does hurt. I push it away and pretend that I don’t need her or want her love and affection, but deep down of course I do. Who wouldn’t? I guess I just don’t see how she doesn’t care about me or want to know how I’m doing. Maybe that’s why I don’t want to have any kids of my own.

“Corey, do you want some?” Bella asks, breaking me out of my miserable thoughts.

I turn to see her holding a plate of sandwiches out for me. “Yes, please.”

Leif sits down at the table with us, taking up a lot of space. His hair is in braids, like a true Viking, and I wonder who did them for him.

“Sad you’re missing out on the action?” I ask, making conversation.

He shrugs his broad shoulders. “I’m just happy to help out however they need me to.”

“Good attitude to have,” I reply. My eyes go to his phone when a message pops up on the screen, and because I’m nosy I look at what it says.

And then I pretend that I didn’t see it at all.

“So, how long do you think until they get back? Tomorrow?” I ask the table, while Leif grabs his phone and tucks it away in his pocket.

“Probably,” Jag replies, standing up. “I’m going to go check the cameras. Jeremiah, do a perimeter check, will you?”

“Sure thing,” Jeremiah says, leaving.

And then it’s just Julianna, Bella, me.

And a traitor.

I know I need to play my next moves very carefully and make it seem like I didn’t just read what I did. So I stay calm, and try to keep my energy the same. People can sense energy, and if mine turns cold or scared, he will know that something is up, and that I was quick enough to read his text.

“Does anyone want a drink?” I ask, while I quickly send Damon a text.

“Sure,” Leif replies, while Julianna and Bella politely decline.

“Beer?” I offer, but he shakes his head. Of course he doesn’t want a beer—he needs his wits about him with all the betrayal he’s about to commit. “Soda?”

“Yes, please.”

I grab two cans and set one down in front of him, the other for me.

“If I sit here like this, I’m going to go crazy,” Julianna announces, standing up and leaving the table.

“I’ll go check on her,” Bella says, following.

And I’m left with Leif.

That motherfucker.

And Damon still hasn’t replied.

I tap my black-tipped nails on the table, and then sit back and open my drink, which makes a fizzing noise. Leif does the same, taking a sip and then stretching his large neck from side to side.

My phone buzzes and I rush to check it, thinking it might be Damon.

Or my mom.

But it’s neither of them.

Echo: Hey, just checking in. Romeo had us close Devil’s Play and told me to stay home, so I guess something is going on.