“Wanna try your luck?” I ask.
She smiles. “I actually have to use the bathroom. I see there’s one over there. You go on down.”
“I can wait for you,” I say.
“No. Go get us a drink. I’ll find you.”
“Okay,” I say. I start to walk, but she grabs me and presses her lips to mine.
It’s a deep kiss, one that leaves my knees weak.
“Be down in a minute,” she says, giving me a wink before she walks off.
Jesus Christ.
I watch her walk into the bathroom before I head down.
I do need another drink and possibly a bucket of ice water thrown on me.
Once down, I grab us two beers and head to the roulette table and take a seat before lighting a smoke. I’m not even here a few minutes when Bryce and Harrison walk up to the table.
“Hey,” I say.
“Hey, yourself.” Bryce looks around. “Where’s your date?”
I bring my smoke to my lips. “She went to the restroom.” She actually should be back by now.
“Jace, what the fuck were you thinking bringing her in here?” he asks, looking at me like I’m insane. And there he goes again, treating me like I’m a fucking kid.
I look over at Kat. “You’ve got Harrison,” I say, knowing it’ll piss him off.
He lifts his chin, and it’s obvious, I got to him. “You know that’s different,” he says. But I’m not fucking sure how it’s different, and I’m about to argue with him when a loud commotion sounds from upstairs. All three of us turn our heads in the direction of the noise.
I narrow my eyes before I look back at my brother with confusion. I sober up quickly at what’s going down. My heart beats faster, harder.
What the fuck?
Bryce looks toward the bar, and I follow his sight to Simon, who’s now standing up. His face shows the slightest bit of concern. Everyone stops what they’re doing, and my throat dries up. I put my smoke into the beer bottle and stand up from the table as armed men approach the bottom of the steps.
One of them walks straight up to Bryce as people’s hands go in the air. Guns are pointed at the guests, and Bryce looks over at Harrison, whose face is as white as snow.
How did this happen?
“Bryson Grant?” the man asks.
My brother lifts his chin, and I ball my fist at this motherfucker.
“FBI. You’re under arrest for the operation of an illegal gambling business.”
My world caves in.
Where is Dalton?
I search for her around the room. Why hasn’t she come from the bathroom yet? Worry starts to consume me, and when Bryce’s arms are jerked behind him, I feel like breaking things.
“You see Michelle?” I ask Harrison, but she doesn’t hear me. Her hand is over her mouth in shock as tears swim in her eyes.
Holy shit, I can’t believe this is happening. What are we going to do? Where the hell is my girl?