Page 12 of Wonderland

Was going to wait to see if he asked again.

Good call.

Reggie

But now you are asking me about Knight so…

Are your brother and Knight connected?

Reggie

This is Vegas. Knight is connected to everyone if he wants to be.

I crawl out of bed and peek out the window. The sun is now long gone. Nothing stands out, but I bet if Knight had someone watching me, they’d be pros. Knowing I can’t sit around all night, I drag myself to the bathroom to get myself all dolled up.

This is the worst part of counting cards. Well, besides the thought of getting caught and ending up in a back room being tortured. I should quit. I started doing this to help us earn money. Mel now has that under control. I just have no clue what else I could do. Mel is always chirping in my ear about college.

Thank God she never saw the scholarships I got offered after I’d taken my SATs. She would have put me on a plane to one of the universities. That path just never felt like it was the one I was supposed to take, so I kept the scholarships hidden.

I take a quick shower before I pop my contacts in to do my hair and makeup. It takes almost an hour to get ready. I’m not the best at makeup, so it takes me way longer than it should. I call for a ride as I get dressed. Not wanting my sister or dad to see me, I slide open my window and slip out. Mel will give me an interrogation if she sees me dressed up.

The clothes might be a pain in the ass, but when I put them on, I do feel like I change into someone else. I’m no longer the dorky girl who sits in the back of the classroom to go unnoticed. I can be whoever I want. It makes me feel powerful and in control of my own life for once.

“Where to?” the driver asks when I slip into the back of the car.

“Old Vegas.” It’s best I stay off the strip tonight. I send a text to my sister letting her know I’ll be out for the night. She’s been quiet, but Mel tends to get lost in her work, not realizing a week has gone by. I know she’s under a deadline.

Reggie

You not going to tell me what’s up?

I don’t want to lie to the kid, but I also don’t want anyone knowing the trouble I may have stepped into.

Reggie

Where are you at tonight?

I stare at the text. It’s not a question Reggie has ever asked me before.

Laying low.

“Right here is good,” I tell the driver.

Over the next couple of hours, I slip in and out of the small casinos, trying to find a good stop to settle in, but everything feels wrong tonight. I’m not sure if I’m being paranoid or not, but the sensation of eyes watching me never leaves. No matter how much I get lost in the crowd and dip into one spot after another, I can’t shake it.

Thinking I’m being ridiculous, I decide to hit Lady Luck. It’s been a while since I was there, and it sits on the end of Fremont Street. My eyes run over the empty seats at the blackjack tables looking for one that would suit me.

Reggie

Someone has been asking about your ID

Who is someone?

Reggie

Don’t know. That’s why my brother wants to see you.

Me

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