Page 39 of Double or Nothing
“I’m aware,” Jade replies, her voice calm and determined. “If we plan out every detail, we can greatly reduce our risk. I’ll go through with it if Eva agrees to the split, and the plan seems viable once I reverse engineer the slot machine. I’m not as reckless as you seem to believe. We’ll be very careful and meticulous about everything. That’s why I need Seven. His mind works the same as mine, and he can double check me on every detail. I’m counting on him to be my righthand guy. Everyone knows how damn smart he is.”
“I appreciate your confidence in me,” Seven says. He glances over at me, curiosity in his eyes. “What are your thoughts on Natasha? Were you able to get a read on her today at the ice bar?”
“Not really,” I reply, recalling Natasha’s demeanor. “She’s tough on the outside, cool and emotionless. I can’t see her and Jade become besties anytime soon, but she struck me as being both competent and smart.”
“Kit is a little intimidated by Natasha,” Jade interrupts me to say. “She offered to give him a job as a stripper at Platinum. You should have seen him the night he carried me out of there. He was magnificent. Like a Viking god, throwing me over his shoulder and taking me out. All the women wanted to be me.”
“No, they didn’t,” I correct, a little embarrassed. “They were just worried about your safety.”
“I guess that’s why they were threatening to throw you down on the floor and have their way with you,” she replies, grinning. When she makes eye contact with me, her eyes soften and I know she’s remembering what happened when I brought her home later that night.
The absolute best night of my life.
There will only be one first time with Jade, and that night was it. A night to remember over and over in my dreams. Her touch, her scent, the special way she looked at me.
“Is it settled then?” Jade asks. “Is everyone joining me in my little scheme, or only Seven?”
“There’s no fucking way I’m letting you do this without me,” Vulcan says. He leans back in his chair, crossing his arms, a determined grin spreading across his face. “I live for thrills. The more dangerous, the better. Of course, I’m in. Like Seven, I didn’t want to encourage you, but if your mind is already made up, then hell yeah, I’m in.”
“And you, Kit?” she asks, turning back to me.
“I’m in,” I say, a tad reluctantly. “Anything I can do to keep you safer, I will.”
“Great!” Jade says, her face lighting up with relief. “There’s only one thing left to settle.” She gets up and moves over to Seven. Looping her arm around the back of his neck, she slides down onto his lap, surprising everyone. The room’s energy shifts, the atmosphere thickening with expectation. Seven places his hands on her hips as she cups his face in her hands and stares directly into his eyes.
“Are you with us in every way?” she asks. “Or just my crazy scheme? Will you move in here too and live with us? We need you, Seven. We all need you. We’re not complete without you. I want all of us here, for breakfast, coffee and midnight Chinese.”
The room goes dead silent.
The question hangs in the air. We all hold our breath, waiting for Seven’s response, knowing that his answer will shape our path forward.
17
SEVEN
The pivotal moment of truth is finally here. Her eyes, warm and brown, lock onto mine, and within them I see the promise of everything I’ve ever wanted. Tenderly, my thumb traces her bottom lip.
“How could I ever say no to you?” I confess, finally willing to take the leap of faith she’s asking me for. “I’ll do anything you ask of me, including moving in here if that’s what you want. You’re our Queen now in every way. Never forget that.”
Her face lights up with a radiant smile. “How soon can you move? Tomorrow? I’ll help you pack.”
I laugh at her infectious excitement. “Sure, why not?” I reply. “I’ll only need to bring a few clothes, for starters.”
“Oh, my God,” Kit groans, dropping his head into his hands. “I forgot all about Seven’s extensive wardrobe. We’ll need to clear an extra room or two just for his clothes. Jade, that’s your job for tomorrow. Make room for Seven because he’s moving in.” He jumps up and rushes over to grab my shoulders, squeezing them hard, before playfully slapping me heartily on the back. “You’re moving in, buddy. I can’t believe it. This will be great.”
Jade slides off my lap and moves over to Vulcan. “Make room for me,” she teases. He promptly scoots back, welcoming her onto his lap. “What about you? When are you moving in? Have you made a decision yet?” she asks, wrapping her hands around the back of his neck, her fingers playing with his hair. She draws his head down and he kisses her.
“Will you promise not to freak out if I sleep outside some nights if I can’t breathe indoors?” he asks, drawing back just enough to look into her eyes.
“Only if you promise not to freak out if I sneak into your sleeping bag with you,” she replies. “We want you here. The details can always be worked out later. I’m a flexible girl.”
“Want to show me how flexible you are?” he challenges, sliding his hand up the back of her shirt.
“Maybe later, if you’re a good boy. Or if you’re a very bad man.” She smiles at him, then turns to grin at us. “I have an idea. Who is up for a little challenge? Or are you too tired to play a game?”
“Oh, I can never resist a challenge,” Vulcan says. “What are we playing?”
“Not fucking Russian Roulette, if that’s what you’re thinking,” she snaps back at him. The memory hangs in the air, heavy and unwelcome. “Never again, Vulcan, you promised.”
