Page 145 of High Roller

“Not at all, Mariposa. Come join us. How was your class?”

She sits next to me and lays her head against my chest. “Interesting. Things will get harder as the year progresses, but I’m excited to be back in school.”

I kiss the top of her head. “I’m proud of you.”

“What were you two talking about?” she asks after a moment or two of silence.

“It looks like I’m getting divorced and moving into the Elysium for a few days.”

Grace sits up, her eyes wide. “You’re leaving us?”

I squeeze Grace’s thigh and nod to Lili. “Let her explain, butterfly.”

Lili walks Grace through what I just described a half hour earlier, and Grace relaxes against me. “I don’t understand why you have to go stay on the Strip, but the rest of it sounds good.”

Lili leans across me to pick up Grace’s hand. “Are you saying you’re going to miss me?”

Grace grins and nods. “I will. So much.”

“And I will miss you.”

Grace chews on her lip. “I guess with Lili leaving, I can go home too.”

I frown and shake my head. “Out of the question, Mariposa. We still don’t know who is stalking you.”

Grace sighs. “I just don’t want to be a burden.”

“Have I given you an indication that I don’t want you here, Grace?”

“No, Sir,” she whispers, her voice thick with emotion. “I just…”

“Hush. No just, no buts. You have never been a burden. Don’t think of yourself that way. I want you here. Both of you. But Lili will be safe at the Elysium. I promise. And you can come with me to take her later tonight, OK?”

That seems to soothe her, and she picks up the remote. “Let’s watch a movie together before we go.”

Lili hops up. “I’ll make popcorn.”

Grace snuggles close and puts her head on my chest. “Promise me we aren’t going to lose her, Victor.”

I grimace and put a hand on her head, holding her close. “I’m going to do everything I can for her, Mariposa.”

It’s the best that I can give her, and I hope it’s good enough.

Chapter 42

Lili

Whenourmovieends,Grace helps me pack a small suitcase with the clothing she picked out for me just a few days ago. It occurs to me that this is all I really own right now. Everything at Finn’s house—because it’s never really been ours—is part of a life I don’t really want anymore. There are a few things I’ll want to retrieve if possible, but otherwise, I’m ready to walk away from it all.

When I’m packed, we meet Victor downstairs and pile into an SUV. Victor surprises me by having me get into the front seat while he climbs into the driver’s seat.

“Are you sure Grace wouldn’t be more comfortable next to you?”

But Grace is already climbing into the middle of the back seat, so she’s between us. Victor reaches back to squeeze her thigh.

“You and I still have a few things to discuss. It’s easier if you’re up here,” he says as he starts the engine.

Another SUV with two of his security team is behind us as we pull away from Victor’s home and head back to Las Vegas.

---