“Not that I know of. Why?”
“Nothing,” I chuckled, remembering Presley’s story about her boy, Gary. “Just thinking out loud.”
“I honestly don’t know much about the guy, other than the fact that he’s got a hold on the girl who’s got a hold on me.”
“She gonna be someone you can shake or is she worth winning over?”
“Not fighting for someone who doesn’t want to be fought for.”
“Can’t blame you there.”
We sat there a moment longer, and when more folks started rolling in, Nikolai stood and asked, “You going to be around later?”
“Unless something comes up.”
“Well, then. I’ll see ya when I see ya.”
He gave me a quick nod, then started for the door.
Nikolai had barely cleared the doors before I was up and settling into the rhythm of the morning. The casino was still half-asleep. Lights were humming low, slots were chiming, and the cleaning crew was finally wrapping up.
The early crowds were always the same. Some were regulars who treated the place like church, and the stubborn ones who swore today was the day they’d win back what the lost the day before. Mostly, they just fed the machines a little more and told themselves whatever lie they needed to hear to keep playing.
I moved slow, taking it all in as I moved across the floor, making sure all was well. I stopped near the slots and smiled when I spotted Earl, one of the few regulars I actually enjoyed talking to.
He was an old timer with white hair, a handlebar mustache, and nicotine-stained fingers. He always smelled like a mix of peppermint and Old Spice, and he was always smiling, even when he was on a losing streak.
When I walked up, he leaned back in his chair and said, “Morning, Goose.”
“Morning.” I motioned my head toward his machine. “How’s she treatin’ ya?”
“She’s as cold as a witch’s titty right now, but I’ll have her warming up to me in no time.”
“Go easy now. You don’t wanna break the bank.”
“Ah, that’s quitter talk.”
“We can’t be having that.” I chuckled as I told him, “Hope she warms up to you soon.”
“You and me both.” His expression softened. “Did I hear that your brother was back around?”
“Yes, sir. He’s been staying at the clubhouse.”
“That’s good. That’s real good.” He gave me a nod. “Brothers need one another.”
“Yes, sir. They do.”
“Well, I hope he sticks around this time.”
“You and me both.” I gave his shoulder a soft pat and said, “Hang in there, and let me know if you need anything.”
“Will do.”
I’d just stepped away and had started toward the back when the front doors swung up. I glanced over and spotted Skid walking in with Laken and her daughter, Baylor, who might’ve been one of the cutest damn kids I’d ever seen. I mean, Luna, Grim’s new sidekick, was damn cute, too, but Bay had these big, curious eyes and a smile that was like a sucker punch to the gut.
And she looked at Skid like he hung the fucking moon.
I stopped and watched as Skid walked Laken over to her table and helped her get situated. Once she was all set, he leaned in and kissed her on the cheek, and Laken beamed up at him and smiled. It was a real smile. Not the kind you could fake.
