Page 132 of Gambler's Fallacy

CALEB

The tripfrom the motel back to the Roi de Pique takes an hour. By the time we return, I’m ready for another shower and a nap.

Unfortunately, as soon as we enter the casino via the garage entrance, two of the security staff approach us.

“Mr. Spade, sir,” the senior security officer says. “You have a visitor. Um, your grandfather is waiting in the private poker room.”

My blood freezes in my veins. “Grandfather? Why is he here?”

Greg shakes his head. “I don’t know. But he made it clear if you don’t meet with him as soon as you return, he’s going to… uh, rain hell on everybody. Those were his words.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Of course he is. All right. I’ll meet with him. Vortex, Havoc, you can take Seven upstairs. I’ll join you… in an hour?”

If I survive.

Vortex glares at me. “Is that a good idea?”

“Well, he isn’t going to shoot me in the casino,” I snap in annoyance. “I’ll bring Greg along.” I motion toward the senior security officer, who blanches.

“No,” Vortex says. “You’ll bring me.” He steps up next to me.

Greg looks even warier as he tells me, “He said to bring Seven.”

Seven freezes, and he presses up against Vortex.

“Now I’m definitely going,” Vortex growls, wrapping his arms around Seven protectively.

Havoc shakes his head. “Or, we all get back into that car and drive off. I bet we could make it to Mexico before they think to look for us.”

I glare at him. “You’ll leave your mother behind? What about Vortex’s sister? And whose passport will Seven use to cross the border?”

“We’re not leaving anyone behind,” Vortex says, though his voice is more subdued. “We’re going to go in there, talk to your grandfather, then we’re going to go upstairs and make it all better for Seven.”

Seven is trembling already, which isn’t a good sign. The last thing I want to do is let him near Leon, but I don’t think I have a choice.

“Is anyone with him?” I ask. “My father? Trent?”

My father is the Spade family underboss, but he’s been content to let me run the casino as I see fit. From the last time I spoke to him, it sounded like he was proud of my work.

“Your grandfather is old. Let him think he’s in charge for now. He’ll kick it soon enough,”Dad had said.

I hadn’t mentioned how important Seven is, though. I don’t know how my father would feel if he knew I was not just harboring a Lockwood runaway, but that I have…

That I have feelings for him.

Greg shakes his head. “No. Only your grandfather. Well, and somebody to serve him drinks and food while he waits.” He grimaces as he says that, which means whoever pulled the short straw there wasn’t happy to be the sacrificial lamb.

I look at Seven. “You don’t have to come,” I tell him. “I’ll deal with him on my own. He’ll yell a bit about how disappointed he is in me, and that’ll be that.”

Seven does not look like he believes me. “He said he wanted me there. I’m going. I’m not letting you deal with this alone.” He stepsaway from Vortex and toward me, touching my arm. “I won’t volunteer to go back to them, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

“We wouldn’t let you anyway,” Vortex mutters.

“Then I’m coming too,” Havoc says. He glares at Greg. “Nice of you to ambush us like this.”

“We tried calling and texting Mr. Spade!” Greg says defensively. “He didn’t pick up.”

I sigh. “My phone is lost on the highway somewhere. Regardless, we’re stalling now.” I squeeze Seven’s hand. “No matter what he says, remember that we’re here for you.”

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