Page 58 of High Roller

Thereisaknockon the door, and I sit up, wondering what time it is. The lack of windows in this room is completely throwing off my internal clock.

The door opens and Grace pokes her head in. It looks like she’s been crying.

“Hey, beautiful,” I say, waving her in. “What happened? Are you OK?”

She shakes her head. “We went to the Mob Museum after dinner, and something triggered a meltdown. It’s possible I accused him of only spending time with me to stop himself from thinking about you.”

Shame fills me and I close my eyes. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart. I don’t think that’s true at all. What did he say that gave you that impression.”

“It’s just a feeling. Maybe an irrational one, but it’s there just the same.”

I pat the bed next to me and put an arm around her shoulders when she sits. “Feelings aren’t irrational. He didn’t show an interest in you until I came along. It makes sense that there would be questions.”

She blows out a breath. “I’m glad you get it.”

I want to ask her again to let me out of here. To use our newfound connection to escape. But if Finn is looking for me, I’m honestly probably safer right where I am.

“I wish we had met under different circumstances, Grace. We could have a little fun fucking with Victor.”

She giggles and wipes at a tear running down her cheek. “That would be fun. Victor is honestly fun to mess with as long as you don’t take it too far.”

“I understand that you can’t let me out. But could you do me a favor and see if I’m trending on any local social media accounts or news platforms? By now, my mother-in-law will also realize I’m missing since I wasn’t there to introduce her tonight.”

Gracie chews on her lip but eventually nods. “OK. I’ll do it when I get home. Right now, I just need some sleep.”

I squeeze her shoulders and let her up. “Will I see you tomorrow? I don’t even know what time it is.”

Grace looks at her watch. “It’s just after eleven. I’ll come check on you tomorrow. It’s my day off, but I don’t have any plans. I can bring you some clothes other than pajamas if you want.”

My eyes light up. “That would be great. If it weren’t for Bellamy, I wouldn’t even be wearing underwear.”

Grace winces. “I’m so sorry, Lili. I wish I could help you more. There’s a part of me that says helping you is a terrible idea, but I still want to.”

Her compulsion to help me doesn’t make sense to me either, but I’m grateful for it. When she leaves, I stand and pace the room once more. I’ve never enjoyed being alone. Not like this. I don’t mind going out on my own. The casino the other night is a perfect example. But when Finn and I first got married, I almost drove myself crazy sitting at home waiting for him to finish his day. So, I became friends with the housekeepers and the chef. When Finn found out, he replaced our steady employees with a service that sent out new people every week. It was rare for me to see the same person twice in a row for anything. But Finn said being friendly with the help was inappropriate for my station, and I needed to remember my place as their boss.

So, I started doing charity work instead. That got me out of the house, and soon I’d made a name for myself. That angered him more. I’m not supposed to be making a name for myself, I’m supposed to be supporting his goals and the path that his life is on. I’m just a side character.

Eventually, I climb back into the bed and drift off to sleep, only to wake drenched in sweat after a nightmare about Phineas finding me.

I am overwhelmed with the realization that I am trapped between a rock and a hard place. On one side of me is Phineas and his abusive tendencies, not to mention my mother-in-law and her unrealistic expectations of me. And on the other side is Victor and his friends and the way they want to use me to take Phineas down.

I know nothing of them or their character. But the way Luke was talking about Zara, and the way Owen and Tobias seem to love Bellamy tells me their character is better than Finn’s and his mother’s. Matteo seems to have someone, but her name never came up, and whoever she is isn’t public knowledge.

Still, I hate being used. I’ve known I’m nothing more than a pawn in Finn’s game for years. And before that, I was a pawn for my father.

I don’t want to be a pawn for Victor. Or anyone else, for that matter. I’m ready to play my own game and be the main character in the story for once.

My cheeks are damp, and I realize I’ve been crying. For some reason, that makes the tears fall harder. I look around the room and spot a box of Kleenex on the dresser, and I get out of bed long enough to get it.

Crying is the worst. I hate the way it makes my face look, the way it makes my nose hurt when I’m done. And the headache after. But at some point, the tears always build up, and I have no choice but to let them out.

I’m not sure how long I lay there sobbing, but by the time I’m done, I’m emotionally and physically spent and no closer to making a decision about the current predicament I find myself in, and as I fall asleep again, I wonder if the choice will even be mine to make.

Chapter 20

Victor

Idrivearoundthecity for an hour before I finally head into the casino for my shift. The late-night shifts aren’t my favorite because there are more drunk people to deal with, but it’s a midweek shift, so hopefully the night will pass without incident. It’s a busy week for conventions in town, though, so I’m not holding my breath.

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