Page 95 of Double or Nothing
My staff told me about the mess left by the reindeer in the casino. Who knew they were so damn stinky and not housebroken at all? The pungent odor, unexpected from such beautiful creatures, and their unruly antics were a surprise.
Not to mention the water damage to the carpet and furnishings from the icy remnants of the snowman and the snowfall from the sprinkler heads. I’m sure Giovanni will deduct a hefty amount for damages from my earnings.
Money well spent.
While I quickly walk from the backstage to the elevator, I wonder what he will do. Will he straight up fire me and break my contract? Or will he be an asshole and keep paying me, while prohibiting me from performing anywhere else?
I’m not sure which would be worse.
Either way, I have no regrets.
Everything I did was worth it to keep Jade safe. She’s an integral part of our life now and that’s reason enough for my actions. No way in hell could I stand by and let him get his hands on her. Protecting her will always be my number one priority. There aren’t many people in my inner circle; people that I trust and who can trust me. Only Dad, Kit, Vulcan, Leroy, and now Jade.
I’ll do anything for them.
A metallic chime announces the arrival of the elevator, and as the doors close, I punch in the special code for the penthouse floor. The elevator ascends, a soft hum accompanying its journey upwards. The doors glide open to reveal Marla the Gatekeeper, her presence cold and imposing. Her glare penetrates me, as if she knew it was me riding inside.
It wouldn’t surprise me to learn the woman is psychic. Or a witch in a tweed business suit.
“I’m very disappointed in you, Seven,” she scolds, peering at me over the rim of her wire-rimmed glasses.
I fight the impulse to hang my head and stare at my feet.
“That was a stupid and irresponsible thing you did on Christmas Eve,” she says. “Someone could’ve been injured by those reindeer. They’re wild animals, not trained pets. And not only that…the fire department insisted that we replace all the sprinkler heads that you tampered with. They fined us for breaking numerous fire codes because of your actions. I’m sure the health department will pay our restaurants a surprise visit, too.”
“I’m sorry,” I say, giving her an apologetic smile. “Things got out of hand. I promise it won’t happen again.”
“Damn right, it won’t,” Giovanni interrupts from the other end of the hallway. “Come inside my office, Seven. It’s past time you and I have another talk.” He motions for me to follow him into his office.
I blow out a long breath.
Here it comes.
The inevitable end of my glorious career. It was great fun while it lasted.
Tomorrow, when Dad calls from prison, I’ll have the unenviable task of telling him I’ve single-handedly destroyed everything we’ve worked a lifetime for in a single night.
All for the love of a girl I’m sharing with two other guys.
He’ll understand.
Love is the best reason to blow up everything.
With dread clenching my chest, I follow Mr. Giovanni into his office with its distinctive smell of aged leather and expensive cigars. The room is dimly lit, mostly by the neon glow coming in through the tall windows from the Strip outside.
I move to take a seat in one of the chairs in front of his desk.
“Don’t bother sitting down,” he says. “You won’t be here long.”
I nod and remain standing. Good to know my termination speech will be short and sweet. I’m not eager to hang around longer than necessary either.
He crosses his arms over his expensive suit, the silver of his cufflinks catching the light. His gaze is piercing, the kind that would terrify the shit out of most people in my position. Are his thugs waiting outside the door to haul me away? Break my legs? Shoot me in the kneecaps?
“What the fuck was that crazy stunt you pulled in the casino?” he spits out.
I absentmindedly scratch at the stubble of my beard while trying to get a read on him. How much does he know about the activities in the casino that night? As usual, his expression is a struggle to read.
“I was trying to drum up business for the new show beginning on New Year’s Day,” I explain. “It was a last-minute idea for a promotional stunt. Everyone was in high spirits because it was Christmas Eve. And I’ll be honest…I was a bit on the tipsy side. Kit had brought a few of his reindeer into town for the Christmas parade. I thought it would be funny if I dressed up as Santa and drove a sleigh through the casino. Kit was half-wasted too, and he volunteered to drive the sleigh.”
