Gamble

Chapter 5

FALLON

Instinctively, I step back, and he steps forward, stalking me like prey. His lips tug up into a smirk as he no doubt sees the fear evident on my face. I quickly mask it. The same fear makes goosebumps rise on my arms. Everything about this man screams at me to run.

“Lighter?” he asks, causing me to stop like a deer in the headlights for a second. His eyes watch my face as I try to remember what he asked. A hand from behind snakes past me, passing him a lighter, and Milo’s voice comes from behind me, making me cringe.

“So quiet out here,” Milo muses, leaning into me, as he passes his boss a lighter. Leone takes it, lights his smoke, and takes a puff. He blows the smoke into the air, but his eyes watch me. Mr. Pressutti tilts his head to the side, observing me, then steps forward. I take another back only to bump into Milo, which makes Mr. Pressutti smiles sadistically.

“You seem spooked?” he comments, and I notice the evil glint in his eye. This man is the sort of monster who likes to play with his food or, in my case, his victim. It’s like he wants them to know their death is imminent and controlled by him.

“No, it’s just a little cold,” I lie easily, shocking myself at how calm I sound despite feeling like I am about to have a panic attack.

“And how about now?” Mr. Pressutti asks, stepping closer. His chest presses against mine, pushing me completely flush against Milo, who is a solid wall behind me, his belt buckle digging into my lower back. Milo grips my hip to steady me, and I gasp when his huge hand squeezes gently.

“She looks so small between us,” Mr. Pressutti chuckles, drawing back on his smoke. The next second, he moves quicker than my eyes catch. His hand is wrapping around my throat, making me gasp. He doesn’t squeeze; he just drags me closer. His hand moves to grip my chin, tilting my face up while I remain frozen with fear.

Dipping his head, his lips graze mine with the barest of touches. He forces my lips to part with his thumb, increasing pressure on my jaw. Smoke fills my mouth, and I cough, choke on it, and gagging for air.

He smiles, moving quickly to grip the back of my neck before dragging me so close I can smell his cologne as he smothers my face against his hard chest, his fingers tangling in my hair.

I press my hands instinctively against his jacket, wanting to shove him off. Instead, my hands only tremble, knowing doing such a thing will get me killed.

His fingers fist my hair, forcing my head back, and I bite back the urge to cry out at the pain of my hair tearing from my scalp at his harsh grip. His eyes search mine for a second.

“You shouldn’t be out in the dark by yourself. You never know who’s lurking in the shadows,” he warns, and I swallow the lump forming in my throat.

“Well, good thing you found me then; you wouldn’t want the boogie man to get your best card dealer,” my voice stutters slightly, and he smiles.

“No need to fear the boogie man around me. Not even the depths of hell dare whisper my name, for the devil himself quakes at the thought of crossing me.”

Breaking out into a cold swear, I try to figure out what’s going on. When the door opens, Leone doesn’t move straight away. Instead, he holds my gaze when Marcus’s voice reaches me.

“Fallon?” he calls out. Leone’s eyes seem to darken briefly.

“Is everything alright?” Marcus asks, stepping outside.

Please don’t hurt him, I think to myself.

Leone steps aside, and my gaze meets Marcus’s worried one. He holds a hand out to me, and I swiftly move to take it when Milo tugs me back against him, his hand pressing against my stomach.

Marcus steps forward, and I can tell he wants to rip me away from Milo, but my gaze holds him, warning him not to. “Everything is fine,” Milo states, his hand moving to my throat as he cranes my head back to look at him. “Right, Fallon?” Milo says, and I freeze. Milo’s grip tightens subtly, his hand pressing against my stomach to keep me close. His breath is a warm whisper against my ear, chilling in intensity. “Tell Marcus everything is fine,” he instructs, ensuring only I can hear the menacing undertone of his voice.

As I nod slightly, forcing a calm I don’t feel, Milo continues, his lips barely moving. “And just so we’re clear,” he adds, voice dropping even lower, “next time your little friend interrupts us, I will kill him. And you, my dear, will watch.”

I hastily nod again, my eyes meeting Marcus’s concerned gaze. “Everything is fine, Marcus,” I say, my voice steady despite the fear Milo’s words have instilled. “Really, there’s no need to worry.”

Marcus hesitates, searching my face for any sign of the lie. He doesn’t look satisfied, but he nods slowly and steps forward, his hand outstretched, unaware of the chilling promise Milo has just made.

“You should come inside. It’s chilly out here,” Marcus says, his eyes not leaving Milo behind me.

Milo lets me go, and I rush to accept Marcus’s hand. He tugs me close, draping an arm across my shoulders.

Marcus doesn’t waste time steering me to the door when I hear Milo’s deep, rumbling laugh as I push through the doors and inside.

“What was that about?” Marcus asks, pushing me up against the wall.

“Nothing, a misunderstanding,” I answer nervously, glancing at the door.

Marcus grits his teeth, the muscle in his jaw bulging. “If you’re in trouble, tell me. I can help you,” Marcus says, and I chew my lip. Am I in trouble, or are they just trying to frighten me? I know the answer, but I don’t want Marcus mixed up in my mess. And I highly doubt Marcus can help me; they’d kill him without thinking twice about it.

“Everything is fine. I’ll handle it.”

He goes to say something, but I cut him off. “If you’re here, who’s holding my table?”

“Ben is, I heard security say they went out back and knew you were out there… I don’t like how they’ve been watching you all night.” I shudder, his words confirming I wasn’t imagining it.

“Thanks, but you shouldn’t have come out; they could have…” I don’t finish. Marcus isn’t blind; he knows who they are and what they are. The entire city knows; it’s no secret, just one no one dares to speak of.

We return to the floor, slipping back into the roles of the happy dealers. The night presses on, an endless cycle of shuffles and deals, but my leg bounces restlessly beneath the table.

I have plans to make, and more jobs I need to schedule. The idea of moonlighting at another joint crosses my mind—somewhere discreet, the stakes higher, and where Leone Pressutti’s watchful eyes can’t reach. Had I known Verdigris was his new establishment, I never would have stepped foot into the place. Yet, it is the best place to earn money fast if you win and the only place I have had enough to buy in.

As I cash out the last winner for the night, my fingers itch to grab the chips and run, to throw caution to the wind for one big score that could save my sister. Instead, I smile as the last person leaves before turning to Marcus.

“Do you know if my father waited?” I ask him, and he glances at me, packing up his table.

“No, I saw him leave earlier. He seemed in a rush. He didn’t even say hello back when I called out to him,” he grumbles.

“Is Emma okay? Maybe he rushed off to see her before the hospital closed for visitors,” Marcus states.

He isn’t with Emma. The visiting hours already ended unless… No, my father would have notified me if something happened to her. So, instead, I shrug. “I guess I’ll find out once I get home,” I tell Marcus.

“Message me once home, so I know you got home alright,” he tells me as his eyes dart to the floor above.

I nod once and turn to leave.