Page 30 of High Roller

“What’s the matter, butterfly?”

Her gaze dips, and I lift her chin with my finger. “I asked you a question, Gracelynn.”

She scowls at my use of her full first name but doesn’t object out loud. “I’m still mad you involved me in whatever is going on. It’s not right.”

With a heavy sigh, I offer her my arm. “Come on. Let’s talk in my office.”

“Are you going to punish me?”

“I said we would discuss it later, didn’t I?”

She nods. “Yes, Sir.”

In my office, I nudge her toward the sofa, and she sits on the edge with her hands folded in her lap.

I surprise her by dropping to one knee in front of her and taking her hands.

“I’m sorry for involving you. Do you believe me?”

She looks at me for a long minute before nodding.

“Tell me what has upset you the most? Are you jealous of Lili?”

Her eyes grow wide, and her cheeks flush, all but confirming Lili’s observation. Fuck. How could I not see it? I’ve always known she had feelings, but I didn’t think it was serious.

Her eyes close and a single tear slides down her cheek. I catch it with my thumb before returning to squeezing her hand.

“I’m sorry, Gracie. It was inconsiderate of me to bring her here and force you to help me watch over her. That won’t happen again.”

“I don’t mind helping you. I just don’t want to get involved in anything illegal.”

“Gracie, I kidnapped her. It’s kind of the epitome of illegal.”

“You know what I mean.”

I frown and chuckle at the same time. “Not really, Grace.”

She beams. “I like it when you call me Grace.”

“I’ll keep that in mind when you’re a good girl.”

Her eyes narrow, and she puts her hands on her hips. “I’m always a good girl,” And she’s serious. Gracie isn’t a brat like Skylar or Zara can be. She strives to please and gets off on the praise. My yelling at her yesterday or this morning was probably more devastating than any punishment I could dole out.

I wince, feeling like the world’s biggest jackass.

“You’re a wonderful girl, Grace. I appreciate how dedicated you are to the club and your job at the sandwich shop. Just this once, because I was an asshole, we’ll forget about punishment for tonight and consider all forgiven.”

Her shoulders sag with relief, making me feel like an even bigger asshole. Normally, I don’t experience guilt over being an asshole, so these feelings are unsettling.

“I have a favor to ask of you, though,” I continue.

“What is it?” she asks, her voice a little timid as she eyes me warily.

“I realize I said you don’t need to be involved in this anymore, and that’s still true. No is a perfectly acceptable answer. But Lili seems to like you. Would you be willing to keep her company while she’s staying with us? It might make her a little more cooperative. You won’t be asked to do anything illegal, and I won’t ask you to pass information, or spy. Just make sure she’s fed and has what she needs.”

“Are you going to sleep with her again?”

The question catches me off guard, and once again, Lili’s observations ring in my head.

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