Page 60 of Daisy Chain
“His wife had knee surgery last week,” I explain as we walk.
“And you got her a housekeeper? That’s so sweet.”
I turn to her and frown. “I’m not sweet.”
Seeming undeterred by my firm expression, she giggles. “If you say so.”
“You’ll change your mind when I get you to bed.” Nuzzling her neck, I lower my voice. “The last thing you’ll be calling me issweet.” Heat flares in her eyes. “But first, let’s win some money. Where would you like to start?”
This private room is for the big spenders. People who spend millions in one night. The room is pristine with custom-made tables and furniture, and felts thicker than the main casino. There are no slot machines or crowds, just the soft clink of chips and low conversation.
Daisy scans the room. “I’ve never played any of these games before. That spinning wheel thing looks fun.”
“Roulette it is.” We slide onto the stools. “Good evening, Mr. Sullivan. Your usual?” the dealer asks.
“Yes, please, Mark.”
He sets ten gray chips in front of us, and I hand one to Daisy. “Place your bet.”
“I don’t know what I’m doing.”
“It’s easy. Pick a number and color. The dealer will spin the wheel, and if it lands on your choice, you win.”
“That sounds easy enough.” She holds the chip as she scrutinizes the numbers. “Red, seven.” She places it down.
The dealer announces, “No more bets.” The wheel spins, slows down and lands on red, eleven.
Daisy’s face falls. “I lost.”
I smile at her disappointed expression and place another chip in her hand. “Happens all the time. Try again.”
For the next half hour, she claps with excitement when she wins and slumps in defeat when she loses. When there are no more chips left, she sits back in the chair with disappointment. “I lost all your chips.”
“Would you like more?”
“Better not. I’d hate to lose more money. I want to pay you back. How much do I owe you?”
“That’s not necessary.”
“I want to. How much is a chip?” she asks again.
“A hundred thousand dollars.”
Her eyes bug out of their sockets. “One… hun… hundred thous… thousand dollarseach?” she stutters.
I nod.
The color drains from her face. “You gave me ten chips. I lost youone million dollars?” Her voice is a strangled whisper. “I don’t have… I can’t…”
“It’s nothing. The casino will make me back a hell of a lot more than that tonight. Is there anything else you’d like to play?”
She vigorously shakes her head. “No. I feel sick to my stomach losing so much money.”
“Okay, let’s go.” I take her hand—I’ve been doing that a lot lately, and I like the feel of it in mine.
Showing her the hotel isn’t just for her entertainment. I want her to get a sense of what my life is like. Casinos, nightclubs, money. Things that aren’t in her normal world. So, if after tonight she gets any ideas of wanting more, she’ll see how different our lives are. How completely opposite we are. She would never fit into mine, and I would definitely never fit into hers. God, or whoever the hell is up there, would never let me step into her life. They’d strike me down first.
“I have something else to show you.” We walk to an elevator.
