Page 122 of Gambler's Conceit

“Hey!” a male voice sounds from the crowd, pushing through the rest. “Let the kid go before I call the police.”

The police.

No.

I don’t want the police involved. They really would take me back to Caleb, and I don’t believe Vortex or Havoc.

Vortex looks down at the mall cop, who’s several inches shorter and nowhere near as jacked as Vortex. “Friend, you don’t want to get involved. This is way above your paygrade.”

Havoc nods and takes a threatening step forward. “We’re not going to hurt him… but I might hurt you, if you interfere. And I know you can’t afford to take time off for some broken bones. Not to mention the deductible…”

The security guard looks conflicted, and I realize he’s not going to push this. My shoulders slump, and I stare down at the floor. Just another person who’s worried about their own ass, their own money. But can I blame him? Who’s really going to stick their neck out for a stranger?

“It’s fine,” I whisper even though it’s not fine at all. “I’ll go.”

“Kid…” the guy begins.

I shake my head. “I said it’s fine,” I say, intending to sound sharp but sounding more pathetic instead.

I guess I’m going home.

“We’ll talk this out,” Vortex says quietly, his grip loosening on my wrist only a fraction. “It’ll be okay, Seven. They’re never going to touch you again.”

I almost laugh.

They drag me out of the mall and into a waiting car. Havoc keeps me close to him while Vortex starts tapping on his phone.

I’d been in fancy cars like this a few times, when they’d transported me to important clients. She’d always spent the ride giving me instructions on how to behave, what to say, what to pay attention to.

“We took care of that guy,” Havoc says suddenly. “The one chasing you.”

I look at Havoc, feeling like I’m moving through quicksand as the despair slows everything down. “Doesn’t matter,” I say. “They’ll just send someone else.”

“We’ll figure something out,” Vortex says, eyes still on his phone. “Caleb says he’s glad you’re safe.”

I do laugh then, for all that it feels like so much effort. “Caleb is just glad he’s going to get his paycheck after all,” I mutter.

Havoc squeezes me and kisses the top of my head. “The only paycheck he’s getting is from all the casino patrons who get distracted and lose more money when they see you.”

I blink at him, trying to follow what he’s saying. “He didn’t tell you?”

Vortex exchanges a look with Havoc, and he somehow still looks confused. “Tell us what?”

“He’s been talking to them,” I say slowly. Maybe they don’t realize. Maybe they won’t bring me back if they know.

“Talking to who?” Havoc demands. “What the fuck is going on?”

I am so tired, so drained, and I rest hard against the seat as we get closer to the Roi. “Caleb’s been in contact with my family this whole time. That’s how they found me.”

Vortex grabs me by the chin, forcing me to look at him. “Who told you that, Seven?” he demands, his voice a low growl.

“Does it matter?” I reply, trying to turn my head, but he doesn’t let me.

Havoc tenses, and I wonder if I can sway him after all. But even if I do… there’s still Vortex and the rest of the Spade mafia.

I got lucky and was able to evade my family for all these months. I’m not optimistic enough that I could escapetwoorganized crime families looking for me.

“If he sold Seven out…” Havoc starts.

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