Page 160 of Rush the Edge

All I care about is Daisy, and I refuse to hide it any longer.

River’s anger is nothing compared to the anger I have for Miles for dragging Daisy into his mess.

Fifty-Three

DAISY

My heart beats as quicklyas the shuffling of cards. The bells on the slot machines go off every other second, and I never thought I’d wish to be at a doctor’s appointment, but I’d much rather be in Dr. Gibson’s office, getting stuck with a needle, than beside Kane’s older brother, who is the most selfish person I’ve ever met.

“Well?” I glance to Miles, who swings his gaze around the smoky room. “Where are they?”

I hope they left, thinking that Miles stood them up. After taking the train because neither of us has a car, we’re way later than expected.

Casinos have a way of shutting out the real world. There are no windows or easy exits. Clocks are nonexistent, making reality so far out of touch you forget that it exists. I can see why Miles is sucked into this lifestyle, as the casinos don’t necessarily make it easy to climb out.

“There.” He nods up ahead, angling his lean jaw toward a group of men smoking cigarettes. They’re staring directly at us, shuffling their attention between Miles and me.

My head pounds with each step we take toward them, the smoke clouding my lungs, making it hard to breathe.

“Where is it?” one of them asks, not bothering to stand up from their chair.

A card game is unfolding behind the man’s back, the dealer glancing at us a few times before putting his attention back on the table.

“And who is this?” A tall man with a sleek, black mustache slides around in his chair and eyes me up and down.

I cut right to the chase. “How much does he owe?”

“More than you can offer,” the large one muses. His belly hangs over his high-end belt buckle, but I bet if I look hard enough, I can see the utter disgust on my face within its glossy reflection. “But I’ll take some off what he owes me if you come back to my room with me.”

“Not a fucking chance, Al.”

I’m surprised when Miles steps forward to defend me. I gape at him from the side, wondering if he dug down deep to find a smidge of guilt for what he’s done to Kane.

“Oh, possessive, are we?” Al’s lip curves, his round cheeks rising with amusement.

Runs in the family, I think to myself.

“How much does he owe?” I repeat, wanting to get this show on the road.

I don’t have a ton of money saved, but since I’ve been working, money has been accumulating in my account, especially since River has refunded my rent both times I’ve tried to pay it. Being the Blue Devils mascot pays more than one would think, and although I was going to put it toward getting my own place and maybe,possibly, opening my own plant cart one day with soil, plants, and composting materials, this is more important.

“Seventy-five thousand.”

My lips part.

Oh.

Al cackles, throwing his head back with loud laughter.

Attention is drawn to us, Miles and I catching each other’s eye immediately.

“How much do you have?” he whispers.

“Not that much.” Not even close.

Panic sets in.This was a terrible idea.

I glance to the table behind the men.

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