“Roland wants you t’ roll,” the guard ordered, behind his black shades.
“I can’t,” Billy cried. “I know what happens to the guys she plays with. She gets ‘em addicted to crack. She—”
“Shut up!” the Queen ordered. “Like I said, I hate spoil sports—and rumor mongers. Tommy can take care of himself; and I’d sure like to take care of him, too.”
“In that case,” I replied. “Why don’t you let me roll?”
I knelt down on the dirty warehouse floor and the Queen unsnapped the Eye of Horus from his necklace and placed it in front of me. The light from its brilliants encircled me, casting a starry nimbus around my face. I felt protected suddenly, even kneeling there. I looked up and smiled, as every eye was upon me. I took the dice in my hand. “Whatever you do,” Billy whispered into my ear. “Don’t l
