Page 9 of Dragon Boss (Paranormal Delights 2)

“You’re not a killer either.”

Gamble glared at the rising sun as he sat on the roof of PGD. “I could learn.”

It was the same argument every time he called back home.

Mario tisked over the line. “Nah kid, we tried that route. You freeze up worse than my aunt Sophia’s agnolotti. You don’t have the heart for this life. That’s why the boss lady found you a better place.”

Was it better?Gamble didn’t see it that way. It felt as if he was tossed out from the only place that he’d called home. He sighed as he grabbed the joint from behind his ear and pulled the lighter from his pocket.

“The family is all I know,” Gamble said.

“Well forget it.”

Gamble’s chest caved under the pressure. How could he possibly forget the first place to accept him? It wasn’t that simple and never would be.

“I don’t mean it like that, kid. You know you will always be missed here, but you deserve to be around your own kind a lot more.”

His kind, he knew what Mario meant. Supernaturals. None of that mattered when he hadn’t exactly been accepted before. He’d found his place amongst the underbelly of the human world. It’s where he’d discovered someone who cared about him. Glancing down at the lighter in his hand, he absent-mindedly twirled it around in his fingers.

Mario had brought him into the life; he was Gamble’s mentor. He was human, but he hadn’t once made Gamble feel any different than any other man wanting to join the mafia. The only problem was that Gamble had failed the simple task of having the ice block he needed as a heart to carry out his duties. He knew it, but it made it no less disheartening being told he didn’t belong there either.

“Look Gamble, you have been given a chance to find yourself and who you want to be. Don’t fuck it up, kid.”

And you’re weak.

The last part Mario didn’t have to voice out loud; Gamble already knew the truth. He sucked in more of the rich smoke and held it until his lungs began to burn. His shoulders dropped as a sense of calmness came over him.

“Yeah. Okay.”

“I’m serious, Gamble. It’s time you found out where you really belong.”

Gamble let his eyes fall shut, and he laid down on the cold cement as a cool breeze washed over him.

“Okay.”

“Don’t get all melancholy on me, kid. Fuck. Look, I’ll talk to Amy and see what she says about bringing you back, but only if you really try.”

Some people said Mario was soft. And while it never interfered with his work, no matter how bloody or dangerous, the man definitely had a more laid back side. One that he only showed to Gamble.

Gamble grinned. “Deal.”

“Damn,” he grumbled. “Should have left you on the street.”

Gamble chuckled. “You wouldn’t have.”

“Yeah,” he muttered. “But you have to really try, Gamble. I mean it.”

“I will.”

As the conversation finally dwindled down, Gamble felt better. Maybe it was false hope, but it was better than nothing.

A soft haze blanketed over him as Gamble made his way back inside. He made sure each door was locked and secured behind him. When he arrived at the host floor, everyone was already sound asleep. He opened the door, but something caught the corner of his eye.

Gamble shouldn’t be nosy, but that same tingle went down his spine, and he knew it was none other than Spooky. Gamble wove a spell around him and made himself blend into the walls. He walked the few steps up to where Arden’s private quarters lie.

Sure enough, there was Spooky, but the door was locked. There was no way the familiar was getting in. Gamble was about to call him out on it, but Spooky put in a code, and the door clicked. The man turned into a cat and slipped in without a care.

Don’t go.

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