Page 121 of Gambler's Conceit

I startle, spinning around to face Havoc.

Of course.

They wouldn’t have hunted me alone.

“Seven,” Havoc says, and he soundsrelieved.“You’re safe.”

He doesn’t have any right to sound relieved, or happy, or anything. I choke back a sob, trying to wrench my wrist free. “Let go of me, or I swear I’ll scream,” I tell him as steadily as I can manage.

Havoc shakes his head. “No. Seven, whatever Grant did to you, you don’t have to worry. He’s taken care of.”

Taken care of.

Just like Caleb is going totake care ofme.

“I’m giving you five—” I begin, but a shadow looms over me from the other side.

Vortex.

“Seven,” he says, his shoulders relaxing. “Thank fuck. Are you okay?”

“Why the fuck are you pretending to care?” I snarl. “I know what Caleb did.”

Vortex has the audacity to look confused. “What Caleb… What are you talking about?”

I let out a bitter laugh. “Yeah, okay. Pretend not to know what I’m talking about.”

“Come on,” Vortex says. “Let’s talk about this back at the Roi.”

I glance around us and realize we’re attracting an audience. Good.

“If you don’t let me go right now, I will start screaming,” I say as steadily as possible. “Anddon’tfollow me, because wherever I go, you aren’t going to take me back. I would rather die.”

Havoc and Vortex share a look.

“You aren’t thinking clearly, Seven,” Havoc says quietly. “Let’s go back and talk it over. I’ll punch Caleb a few times for you if it’ll help.”

My eyes are drawn to his hands, which are already bruised and bloody. For a second, I think that maybe he would do it, but then I remember our conversation in the elevator. No, he cares too much about his paycheck to go up against Caleb.

“I said no!” I say loudly. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

Havoc curses and pulls me closer, clapping his hand over my mouth. “Shh, Seven. Please. We want to protect you.”

I bite his hand.

He must not have been expecting it, because he startles and lets go of me. I go to run, but Vortex is right there, grabbing me.

“Seven, it isn’t safe. We don’t know who else they?—”

“I don’t care!” I tell him hotly. “I’m not letting you send me back to them.”

I can’t.

Havoc shakes his head. “Nobody’s sending you anywhere but back to the Roi. Right?” He glares at Vortex. “I’ll fight you if you try.”

Vortex looks bewildered and frustrated all at once, and his grip tightens on my arm. “We would never,” he protests.

“Tell that to Caleb,” I spit.

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