Page 102 of Gambler's Conceit

Seven tenses immediately, and I hate that I’m almost certain I know why that is. I keep looking at Vortex, though, so that Seven doesn’t feel compelled to answer.

Vortex takes a swig from his beer bottle. “I’m going to need something stronger than a beer if we’re going to talk family,” he says dryly. “My sister’s in over her head with some bullshit I don’t really want to talk about.”

“We’ll save that for another day, then,” I say. The bartender brings me my whiskey, and I knock the glass against Vortex’s beer and Seven’s water. “Cheers.” After I have a sip, I let out a long sigh. “Grant and Earl showed up to complain. Can’t do anything about either of them right now. If you spot Grant and Havoc in the same room, though, do your best to ensure they don’t interact.”

Seven lets out a shaky laugh. “I don’t think I’d be able to stop Havoc.”

“I don’t think I’dwantto stop Havoc,” Vortex mutters, his expression darkening. “And if he goes to lay a hand on Seven again, Grant will have me to worry about.”

The anger slams into me again. I wish I could have gotten rid of Grant when I’d taken over the casino, but friendship with my grandfather goes a long way.

I put my arm around Seven’s shoulders and pull him closer to me, my fingers digging in harshly. “I can’t legally tell you that I’d give you a bonus for that.” I catch Seven’s gaze and wink. “But we know I’m not always averse to bending the law.”

Seven’s smile is just as strained as his laugh had been, and he drops his gaze back to the bartop. “Can I get something stronger than a water?”

“No,” Vortex says without hesitation, making Seven scowl at him.

“You don’t even like alcohol,” I point out, but I lift my whiskey glass to Seven’s lips. I watch him swallow hard, then he parts his lips to sip some of the drink.

“I just don’t like vodka,” Seven says, making a face. “I don’t know how anyone does.”

“That’s because you’re not supposed to just chug it,” Vortex says.

“This is whiskey,” I point out. I sip more of it and set my glass down. I meet Vortex’s eyes and give him a lazy smile. “Since I’ve had such a trying day, I think I deserve a reward.”

I run my other hand along Seven’s stomach. His muscles tremble at my touch.

“I don’t know what you mean,” Seven says innocently. He grabs my hand, though, and brings it to his lips, brushing a kiss against my knuckles.

I kiss the bare skin of his neck, and Seven leans into my touch.

Vortex drains the rest of his bottle. “Why don’t the two of you head out?” he suggests mildly. “I can handle making sure a few people don’t get their heads knocked together.”

I’m surprised that he’s bowing out here, but I also feel Seven relax.

Interesting.

“Thanks,” I say to Vortex. “You know where to find me if something comes up.”

I keep my hold on Seven as I lead us to the elevators. Once we’re in relative privacy, I ask, “Did something happen?”

Seven shrugs. “No? Why would it have? I was with Vortex most of the day.” He wraps his arms around my neck and looks up at me. “I didn’t even look at another man. Just like I promised.”

“Did I say you did?” I say, shaking my head. “Now you gave it away, Seven. We really need to practice your negotiation skills.”

“But I just said I didn’t!” Seven laughs and presses his body closer to mine.

I grip the back of the neck and squeeze. “So what happened, if you weren’t looking at other men and Vortex was with you the entire time?”

Seven struggles for a few seconds before sighing. “If I tell you, will you hurt me? Without the talking and the hugging?”

That sounds like he’s begging for pain, and I have to admit, I want to hurt something. The stress with the whole Grant situation is piling up, and Earl certainly didn’t help.

The elevator dings at my floor.

“I’ll hurt you either way,” I tell him.

Seven presses a kiss to my Adam’s apple. “Vortex said you would be in a bad mood. Looks like he was right. And I told him I’d make you feel so much better.”

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