Page 78 of High Roller

“You didn’t.”

“You’re not mad?”

“I’m confused just like you. I have feelings for her too. But I’ve promised to explore with you. It seems we are both taken with the same woman.”

“What does that mean?”

Victor shakes his head. “It means that has to be part of figuring things out. It likely means very little, because once this is all over, I don’t see how she would want anything to do with us.”

“Are we going to move her?”

Victor pulls me close and kisses the top of my head. “I’m waiting for Matteo and Owen to make that decision now. Owen has been holed up in his tech cave all day, and he’s trying to figure out the right move. Part of me wants to take her to my house, but if I do that, I want you to come with me.”

“Why?”

“Because she likes you, and I want her to be comfortable. When do your classes start?”

“Not for another week.”

“Hopefully, this is over by then.”

“That’s if we move her.”

He nods. “Right. If we move her.”

“Victor, I want you. Please tell me again you’re not mad about me kissing Lili.”

“I’m not mad, butterfly. A little jealous. But not mad.”

I shove his shoulder, and he captures my hair in his fingers, pulling hard as he captures my mouth with his.

“Why is this so confusing? You don’t like switches, and Lili is clearly a switch.”

Victor laughs. “That’s a problem for another day.”

His phone rings before he can say more. “This is Owen. I already counted the drawer and cleaned up the back. Go ahead and clock out and wait in the dungeon for me.”

“Yes, Sir,” I mutter as he walks away.

In the back room, I use the computer to clock out and toss the dirty apron into the hamper the cleaning service will pick up later in the week.

I highly doubt Victor will let me go home until he’s sure it’s safe, so I text my roommate just in case she’s home. As I walk into the dungeon, my eyes drift toward the hall that leads to the suites. Kissing Lili was a mistake, but as soon as she admitted to wanting more than a hug, it was like someone else took over my body. A version of me I thought I left back east when I left for Las Vegas.

I lean against the bar and bury my face in my hands, trying not to dwell on either of the people I want to do more than kiss, but their faces are there waiting for me when I close my eyes, and I realize my heart is in deep trouble.

Chapter 25

Victor

“Owen,what’sgoingon?”

I walk through the dungeon until I’m in the social area that separates the four play spaces.

“The hairdresser was a good lead. Shara, the one who called in sick, was paid ten grand a day before calling in sick. The guy who replaced her received double that the morning he did Lili’s hair. The trouble is none of these accounts show any links to Phineas. Doesn’t mean they aren’t accounts I’ve not traced yet, but I’m almost certain that’s the case. Someone else was after Lili. Maybe to get to Phineas or the mayor?”

“That’s pretty far-fetched. But his enemies list is long. Let’s look into some of them. Do we need to move her?”

“Might be best. Just make sure you leave the pins at the club, and don’t draw attention to yourselves.”

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