I had been declining his offer for her to play all night, and I did again, but Scout finally decided to open her mouth and speak over me.
“Deal me in.”
The table went silent. Everyone looked at me, and then my girlfriend beside me. I turned to her and was surprised to hear her speak up against my wishes. “You don’t own me.”
My jaw tightened again,and I continued to glare at her, but I didn’t say anything.
“What are you betting?” Tully interrupted us. I was still struggling to hold focus, but I continued to try to push through the fog.
No. Please, Scout. No.
“Five dollars.”
Everyone but me laughed. In fact, my stomach turned so suddenly that I thought I was going to vomit up all of the candy. And that would hurt like a bitch.
Tully leaned forward. “The minimum bet is a grand, sweetie. You want to play for blood or body?”
“What’s that?”she asked.
Jesus Christ.My breathing became shallow, and I couldn’t speak.
“I don’t want your blood. So if you want, you can play foryourbody. You lose. The winner takes you.”
“Takes me?” Her voice came out so tiny. A hard rock dropped in my stomach.
“Kind of like yesterday, but with two players instead of one. How confident are you,little lady?” Tully’s smile wassnake-like. I gripped the table, but I couldn’t get my body to move. I’d jump over the table and murder him now if I could.
“Look, we’ll play an easy one. Who’s up for Texas Hold ‘em?”Dante suggested.
“She’s not playing,” I snarled. Finally, my body was working with my brain. Tully stood,and I kicked my chair back, doing the same.
“You may have grown a pair, but you’re in my territory, little brother. If she wants to play, she’ll get to play. Sit down.” Tully’s silly smile and relaxed manner had disappeared completely as he stared me down. My chest rose with heavy breathing, but finally, I snatched my chair back up and did as told.
What choice did I have now?
The dealer dealt the cards, giving her two. Scout took them with shaky hands and clutched them to her chest after she looked at them.
She was going to lose.
She was horrible at this. I had seen her cards.
Two of clubs and seven of diamonds.
I tossed chips into the middle without looking at my hand. Everyone else tookthetime to look at their cards before sliding their bets forward. I watched her close her eyes tightly, knowing she was trying her hardest to remember how to play. She was hopeless. Her tell was so bad.
Nausea continued to stir in my stomach. I gulped down a full glass of blood and popped a piece of candy in my mouth.
I flicked my eyes to Scout and saw that she was visibly panicking. Her hands held those cards so tightly they were shaking against her tits.
The thought of someone else touching what was mine… no!
“I like your necklace,”Tully said to her. Her hand went to my name around her neck and squeezed. “Why don’t you toss that in there to symbolize your bet?”
“She doesn’t need to. We all know what’s going to happen if she loses,” I snapped. Tully chuckled but didn’t argue further. He had only said it to goad me.
Everyone put in their bets. I added more,but she didn’t move when they looked her way. Her eyes were shut again, and her lips were moving as if reciting the rules to herself.
The dealer set three cards face up on the table,and everyone leaned in. Six of hearts, ace of spades, and queen of hearts. I recalled her cards and gritted my teeth.
