Page 58 of Betting Blind
“You’re an idiot,” Jack states plainly.
“Fuck you.”
I clasp my hands together. “Okay. So far so good.”
“Do you have a single fucking clue what Derrick and I have done for you? Jesus. Youstolefrom me, Ben! You took money from your only family, and from a business that we built together. You’ve not only deceived me, but you’ve singlehandedly put yourself in the worst situation possible.”
Ben scoffs. “The Pound isn’t our business, Jackson. It’s yours, always has been.”
Jack shifts his weight back. “So that’s it? You’re not even sorry for what you’ve done?”
I listen to the incessant ticking of the clock on the wall as Ben’s lips thin. He curses under his breath. “We used to be unstoppable, you know. Us against the world; ride or die. What happened?”
Jack’s arms fall slack beside him. “You did, Ben.”
His brother paces around the room, adrenaline seeming to fuel what little energy he has left. “When I started working at Royals, I realized for the first time that I had a purpose. Before you came along, Bruce and I had a deal. I was a dealer first, to learn the games and get used to being in front of people, then I worked at the bar, and from there, I was awarded guard. He trusted me.
“You were young, but we needed the income, so I stuck my neck out for you. I told him you were worth it and then some, and you were. Bruce liked you, the women loved you, and I… became just another guy.”
“What, you were jealous of me?” Jack says incredulously, and Ben smirks.
“Hell yeah. You draw people to you, and the craziest part of it all is that you don’t even have to try. It’s a quality I don’t possess, and I doubt I ever will,” he says quietly. “Then you crack this crazy idea that you want to start your own business, and that’s when things took a turn for the worst. I’d always been the protector, the provider, and suddenly, you didn’t need me anymore.
“I started playing a little bit here and there for fun, and I continued to play until the more money I made, the worse things got. Years of playing this up and down game and I couldn’t break away. I was scraping change out of the damn couch cushions.” He sticks his hands in his front pockets, kicking his foot at an invisible speck on the floor. “Stealing from you was unforgiveable. Whether you believe me or not, Iamsorry.”
I’m frozen to the chair, afraid to somehow distract them from hashing out their years’ long frustrations. “Yeah, I chased my dream, but I wanted you there beside me. Why do you think I involved you in every decision I made? Or consulted with you about the changes I made to the place? I couldn’t have made this move without you, and I didn’t want to.” Jack steps closer to his brother, placing a strong hand over the top of his shoulder. “I don’t care about the money. I care that you’re here, with me.”
Ben imitates the gesture, shaking Jack gently. “This isn’t it, brother. This isn’t my gig.”
“Don’t say that.”
“I’m serious. Bruce wants a guy he can depend on. Someone who can help him run his businesses.” He stops, shifting his eyes to me. “And you know what it was like before. I was good at it.”
“Yeah, you’re going to be the guy who helps him do all the illegal bullshit he gets away with.” Jack raises his voice, barely letting him finish. “You want me to stand by while you become this kingpin’s lackey?”
Ben rubs the back of his neck. “I’m going to tear his business apart from the inside.”
Silence.
“This bar is your dream, not mine. These last two weeks have given me plenty of time to think about what I want. I don’t belong here, and you know it.”
Jack’s refusing to listen, arguing with him all over again, but I understand where Ben’s coming from. It’s exactly how I ended up in the position I’m in with them now. I lived a good life before Jack swaggered his way into it, but I was missing my purpose.
I stand slowly, halting Jack’s running mouth with the action. Stepping closer to Ben, I roam my gaze over the deep circles under his eyes and the beard growth along his chin. His deep blue eyes search mine for understanding, and I openly give it to him.
“This isn’t a terrible idea,” I say, turning to Jack. “If Ben gets in good with those guys, he can find a way to destroy Bruce. He has an opportunity to poison the whole operation.”
“Yeah, but let’s not forget who we are dealing with here. Todd and Gerald are a daydream compared to some of the other fuckers he has working for him. If you make one wrong move, it could mean your life.”
Ben smiles. “Watch it, you’re starting to sound like you care.”
“You know I care. I’d sooner give Bruce a finger than have you be his bitch.”
Their faces grow grim, and the harsh reality is that it won’t be easy. “How’d you get all that money anyway?”
Jack brings his eyes to mine, and I smile brightly, despite the heaviness of our conversation. “I won it in a contest in Vegas.”
His eyes widen a touch. “You went all the way to Vegas for me?” When Jack nods, Ben pulls him in for a tight hug, slapping his back. “I know your woman is present, but I love you, man.”
