Page 91 of Gambler's Fallacy

She shakes her head and heads out, the security guard on her heels.

The hostess turns to me. “I’m so, so sorry about the disruption, sir. Can we offer you a complimentary drink, or a dessert?—”

I glance down at Seven, who hasn’t stopped shivering. “No. I’m afraid we have to get going too. But if you can keep me in mind for a future reservation?—”

“Of course!” the hostess says. She glances at the two small, still uneaten portions of the first entree. “I’ll make an exception and pack the meal up for you.”

I nod and hand her my credit card to pay. We wait for the staff to bring the rest of the food and my receipt.

Seven stays huddled against me the entire time, not uttering a single word.

“They’re not taking you,” I tell him. “Not now, not ever.”

He looks bleakly at me and nods, but I can tell I’m not getting through to him.

It’s going to be a long night.

TWENTY

SEVEN

Sheis out there.

She’s watching my every move. She has people on every corner, and nowhere is safe, and she’s going to take me away and I’m going to be back inside that small room, twenty-one steps to the bed, seven and seven and seven again.

Somebody grabs my arms, and I startle and struggle against them.

“Seven!” Caleb’s sharp voice cuts through. “Focus on me, pet.”

Focus.

A hysterical laugh threatens to bubble past my lips. I don’t think that’s even possible. All I can think about isher; all I can hear is her. All I canseeis her.

As much as I want to listen to Caleb, to focus on him, my mind keeps going back to that woman at the restaurant.

April 27th.

“Why won’t they leave me alone?” I nearly choke on the words. “I’m not good, I’m not special, I’m not anything. I’m just a…”

A whore, I don’t say.

I try to remember where I am, that I’m safe on the couch inCaleb’s suite with him standing in front of me, protecting me from the world.

“Because she’s a controlling bitch,” Caleb says, his cold tone making me flinch despite myself. “But lucky for you, I’ve dealt with controlling assholes my whole life—and I’m one of them myself.” He lets go of one of my arms to rake a hand through his hair. “Vortex is on his way. And he’s going to bring something you might not like, but I want you to try to stay calm. For my sake.”

I try to catch my breath, but I haven’t been able to breathe since that woman hadhappenedto show up and interrupt with my birthday at the right moment. “They’re watching us,” I whisper. “What if she’s listening? What if she’s hearing everything, Master?” I slide into the word, trying to find comfort in it, trying to remind myself thatCalebis the one I want to please.

Nother.

Caleb cups my cheek. “I’ll have Vortex sweep for bugs again, but I need you to trust me, pet. Your mother seems omnipotent, but she’s a woman like any other. She made you believe she was everywhere so you would always be afraid of her. But I’m not afraid of her. If she comes anywhere near you, I will gut her myself.”

Nausea sweeps over me, and I’m not sure whether it’s at the thought of her getting close to me or the idea of Caleb hurting her.

She’s still my mother.

No matter how dumb Havoc thinks I am, I still don’t want anything bad to happen to her.

“I just want her to leave me alone,” I whisper. “Why is that so much to ask? I don’t even know anything important. I’m not telling anyone anything. I’m not a threat.”

---