Page 40 of Double or Nothing
“And I will keep my promise to you,” he replies, his tone turning serious, a silent vow passing between them. “What’s the game we’re playing tonight? Strip poker? I’m ready. Seven, hand me the deck of cards you’re always carrying in your pocket. Time to get this party started.”
Jade’s eyes light up. “No, not strip poker. I have a better idea.” She turns to Kit. “Do you put all the animals up at night? Are any of them roaming around loose on the ranch after dark?”
“No, of course not,” he replies, puzzled. “There are too many coyotes prowling around to leave the animals out at night, especially any of the large birds. Everything is tucked away safe and sound until morning. Why?”
“Just checking,” she says. “Who wants to play hide-and-seek with me?”
“Whoa, now you’re talking,” Vulcan says, smiling. “You’re singing my favorite song, baby. What do we get if we win?”
“Whoever wins gets to call the shots for tonight.”
“For everyone?” he clarifies.
“That’s right,” she says. “If you play, you agree to the rules. The winner calls the shots for tonight. If you can’t find me, then I’m in charge.”
“Damn, I love it!” Vulcan says. “I’m in. There’s nothing better than a good chase.”
“I’m in, too,” Kit says. “Are we playing outside or inside the house?”
Jade snorts and rolls her eyes at him. “What fun would it be to play inside? We’re going outside boys to play hide-and-seek in the dark. My only rule is to give me a five-minute head start.”
“Let’s make it more of a challenge and give you seven minutes, my lucky number,” I say, setting the timer on my watch. “We’re beginning right now. You better start running fast, Jade, because we’re coming for you. Go!”
She jumps off Vulcan’s lap with a shriek and dashes for the front door. She’s out the door in a flash, not even taking time to shut it closed behind her.
“Six and a half minutes left!” I yell after her. “Run!”
“Are we really going to give her seven minutes?” Kit asks. “She could be halfway to Vegas in seven minutes.”
“That’s the whole point,” Vulcan explains. “It wouldn’t be fun if we found her right away. The hunt is the best part.”
“Are we allowed to use flashlights or the light on our cellphone?” Kit asks, always the stickler for rules. “We should’ve clarified the rules better.”
“Nah, not any artificial lights,” Vulcan says. “She’s not using them, and that would make it unfair.”
“What makes it unfair is that you live outside at night, so you have skills we don’t,” I remind him.
Vulcan chuckles. “Damn straight, I have skills you don’t. What are you afraid of? That I’ll win and make you watch me fuck your girl? Because that’s exactly what’s going to happen. But here’s the thing, Seven. You’ll be fucking her, too. And you’ll fucking love it.”
“How many minutes are left?” Kit asks. “There are sheds and hiding places all over the place. She could be anywhere. We’ll never find her.”
“Four minutes,” I tell him.
“You two motherfuckers should give up right now,” Vulcan says. “There’s no point in you even playing. I could find her blindfolded. I hope you have stamina, because if I’m in charge, this is going to be a long fucking night.”
“Should we split up to find her faster?” Kit suggests. “Pick a direction and I’ll take what’s leftover since I know the layout of the ranch better than you. Whatever you do, don’t go inside any of the animal enclosures. Not that you’d be able to get the locked doors open.”
“Damn Kit!” Vulcan says. “We don’t have a death wish. You don’t need to warn us not to crawl into a tiger pit. Jesus!”
“Just making sure you don’t do anything stupid…again,” he adds.
“When we exit the house, I’ll go left, and Vulcan, you go right,” I say. “Kit, you go anywhere else.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Vulcan agrees. “How many minutes left?”
“Two,” I reply.
“Ah, fuck this shit,” Vulcan mutters, getting up from the table. “I’m too excited to wait. I’m out of here. Want to join me?”
