Page 91 of Double or Nothing
Thirty seconds left.
With a quickening heartbeat, I lean closer and focus every ounce of my concentration on the flickering screen before me. The characters are lining up exactly the way I want them. My hand hovers shakily over the button. Any moment now…
Bam!
I slam my hand down on the button at precisely the right moment.
Jackpot!
A symphony of lights and sounds erupts from the slot machine, a triumphant fanfare announcing my win. I pray no one else can hear. The snowy blizzard is providing cover for me, and the noise of the excited crowd clapping for Santa masks the sounds.
The winning ticket spits out, and I grab it.
Time to get the hell out of here.
40
VULCAN
Irev the engine of my custom motorcycle, feeling the raw energy of it reverberate through my bones. Each rev sends adrenaline coursing through my veins, igniting an explosive fire within me. The sensation is electric, a thrilling anticipation lingering on the edge of chaos.
The sound rattles the walls of the 18-wheeler I’m hiding in, echoing as I impatiently wait for my signal. The metallic scent of exhaust, a familiar reminder of past risky adventures, fills my nostrils.
Seven told me he would buzz my phone at the three-minute mark. Enough time for him to provide cover for me to get in and take Jade safely out. Seven and Kit hoped it would never come down to this, while secretly I always hoped it would.
I live for fucking adrenaline.
So does Jade.
That’s why we’re an explosive match made in heaven. A pair of wild flames chasing the wind. Tonight, I’ll finally get the chance to earn my namesake; Vulcan, the god of fire and forge. My mission is to extract a beautiful goddess disguised as a con artist from the heart of Sin City.
The signal from Seven finally arrives, a vibrating buzz that jolts me into action. With a surge of anticipation, I raise my hand to a staff member standing at the truck’s doors. He swings them open wide, and I fly out of the back of the truck, hitting the road at full speed.
The cool night air rushes against my face as I burst out of the truck, a human projectile propelled by the motorcycle’s untamed power. The wind howls in my ears as the pavement becomes my ally, propelling me forward at a reckless speed.
Straight ahead of me lies the Imperial Hotel and Casino, its ornate set of marble steps glistening under the blinking neon lights. They stretch up endlessly, their polished surface reflecting the dazzling lights of Vegas.
I’ve climbed mountains and jumped over desert canyons, but navigating these damn stairs might be my biggest challenge yet. Not to mention they’re covered with a weird assortment of tourists, senior citizens struggling on each step, and intoxicated women staggering in heels.
“Move! Get the fuck out of the way!” I yell.
With unwavering determination, I roll back the throttle, unleashing the engine’s battle cry as I fly up the steps. Gasps and shrieks escape the crowd as they jump out of my way, their expressions morphing from fear into awe. I lean forward, my body melding seamlessly with the bike, moving in sync.
Seven’s crew are waiting by the front doors, their mouths wide and eyes terrified. Guess he didn’t tell them exactly what to be watching out for. They throw the doors open when they spot me coming towards them full speed. I roar through the doors and turn down the carpeted aisle of the casino, where I know Jade is sitting.
Thick snow blurs my vision and stings my face, turning the casino into a chaotic haze. I can’t see shit and slow down to keep from mowing over a gambler. Seven forewarned me about the snow, but nothing could’ve prepared me to drive through a wet, cold motherfucking blizzard.
My gaze seeks only one thing.
Jade.
And there she is.
Sitting in front of that stupid Peggy Penguin slot machine that’s shouting full blast to the whole damn world that Jade just won the jackpot.
Fuck!
I slide the bike to a quick stop beside her as she snatches the winning ticket out of the machine, her hand trembling with excitement. Reaching over, I pull her onto her feet, and shove an extra helmet down over her head. Her shocked eyes meet mine, and despite the chaos, the world slows once again to where it’s only the two of us.
