Page 30 of The Gambler's Prize
“That’s unkind, Grimes,” she says. Suddenly I feel about the age of her youngest daughter.
“Okay. Yes, it was. But I wouldn’t say that to him.”
“I should hope not.” Her eyes are hard as she looks up at me. She barely comes up to my armpit, but I’m intimidated nonetheless. There’s too much calculation going on behind herwarm brown eyes for me to be entirely comfortable with this conversation.
“There isn’t anythingpersonalbehind this bet, is there, Grimes?” she says.
“No. Not at all.” My voice is a little higher than usual. “Why should there be?”
Before she can answer, Florian and Prevana loom into sight in front of the window. They’re entwined like two trees growing together, lips locked in a passionate embrace. They pull apart, Prevana’s squeal of laughter reaching me through the window. My fists clench.
“That spoiled fucking...” I run for the door.
“Grimes, what on earth is wrong?” Breta shouts.
She follows me but her shorter legs are no match for mine, especially now I’m propelled by rage. I leave her for dust. Once outside, I run over to the young couple and grab Florian’s arm, hard.
“Come here,” I snarl.
He and Prevana stare at me, aghast.
“Boss, what the hell?” he says. “We were just talking.”
Fucking liar.
“You were doing a lot more than that,” I yell.
“So what?” Prevana’s hands are on her hips, a defiant scowl on her mouth. “We’re both adults.”
“He’s… he’s a guest here. He’s taking advantage of your hospitality,” I argue.
Breta catches up to us. “Nonsense,” she snaps. “What’s gotten into you? Let go of him.”
I drop Florian’s arm like I’m in a dream. All of them are staring at me like I’ve gone mad, which just makes me angrier. Rage pulses in my ears and I can’t unclench my fists as Florian stares at me with his pillowy lips redder than ever, his lip stain meshing with Prevana’s. Why are they all acting likeI’mout of line?Florian has been a disgrace here tonight. This is a respectable home, not a bawdy casino.
”We’re going home, Florian,” I say.
Chapter 12
Grimes
He shakes his head. “But—”
“Now,” I say.
Prevana looks at her mother, who nods. They know that legally, they can do nothing.
“Will you be all right, love?” Breta asks Florian.
He glances at me and nods, tight-lipped. He’s afraid of me. They all are. They’re treating me like a bull on the rampage, likethey have to tiptoe around me. Infuriating. I’m not the one who couldn’t keep control of himself here this evening. I start to walk away before Florian embarrasses us anymore. He follows, tense and miserable. As he should be. He’s ruined a perfectly good evening.
“Come back soon,” Breta calls after us, trying to skate over the gaping fissure in the social contract.
“Thanks,” I grunt, not committing to anything. Florian doesn’t deserve to be let out of his room again after that display, never mind being invited out among respectable people.
I ignore his pleading and complaining all the way along the path home.
“Boss, I’m sorry,” he says, all plaintive. “I don’t even know what I did wrong…Shekissedme.”
