Page 38 of Double or Nothing
“I would describe us as more dysfunctional, than happy,” Vulcan says. “Everyone here is well aware I need my space at times. It’s not that I do not enjoy your company, but sometimes I need to get away. For everyone’s sake. I’m not sure I can live twenty-four-seven in tight quarters with other people. Don’t take offense, it’s just the fucked up way I am.”
His words are raw, but his honesty deserves respect. “We’ve already thought of that,” I say. I lean forward, resting my arms on the table. “You can bring either your RV or another one and park it way back on the ranch. You could go out there anytime you wanted or even live there. At least you would be closer to us, and not out in the desert alone. We could even build an entire village of tiny houses. I own enough land here to do anything we want.”
“Your house is enormous and you’re suggesting that we build pastel-colored tiny houses on your back forty acres?” Jade laughs at my silly suggestion. “While we’re at it, why don’t we build a cute little dwarf village for my favorite gentle giant?” She leans over to squeeze my leg. “Can you imagine watching you walk through the front door of a tiny house? You would take up the entire room.”
“Well, I wouldn’t be the one living there,” I remind her, smiling at her playful teasing. “I already have a house and so does everyone else if they live here. My offer is a serious one. I would love to have everyone under one roof. At least until the Russian mafia situation is taken care of.”
“I can’t give up my place in the desert.” Vulcan shakes his head. “Not yet. But I’ll gladly take you up on your offer for me to bring a smaller RV to put somewhere on the ranch. I appreciate it. That’s damn generous of you. You’re a true friend.”
“You’re my family,” I say. “I’ll even deed some land to you if it makes you feel better about it. In fact, Jade, I’ll have my lawyer draw up paperwork to give you some of my land, too. I want you to feel as if this is your real home, not just my house where you’re temporarily staying. I never want you to feel homeless again. And it would make me feel much more secure if you would unpack your suitcase.”
Jade gives me a shocked look, visibly moved. “You would give me a piece of your ranch that you’ve worked so hard to keep?” she asks, her voice shaky. “Kit, I can’t take your land.”
“Maybe not yet, but I’d like to deed some of it to you soon.” My eyes lock onto Jade’s, wanting her to understand the depth of my commitment. “There’s something else. Tomorrow, I’m giving you one of my credit cards, so you won’t have to use your money to buy us takeout Chinese or for anything else. You can use my card to order anything you want or need. Keep your money tucked aside.”
Seven’s eyes widen. “Wow, now I feel like a monumental asshole,” he says. “I should’ve thought of this. I’m sorry, Jade. We should take better care of you.” He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his wallet. He slides it across to Jade. “Take out any and all cards you want to use. Keep as many as you need. Even my American Express Black card. Take it.”
“What is this?” Vulcan asks with a snort. “A pissing contest? Should we whip out our dicks and compare size? Actually, that’s a terrible idea since Kit’s got us all beat hands down on that front.” He reaches into his pocket and drops a big wad of cash wrapped up in a rubber band in the middle of the table. “Cash is king, baby. It’s accepted everywhere and doesn’t leave a paper trail. I prefer staying off the grid as much as I can.” He nudges Seven with his elbow. “I’ll up your ante, Seven. Here is the key to my motorcycle.” He pulls a shiny key out of his pocket and drops it on the pile.
“And here is the key to my Porsche,” Seven throws back with a grin, before adding his keyring.
I can’t resist joining in. I walk over to grab my keys hanging on a hook on the wall. Picking out the Jeep key, I toss it onto the table. “And the key to my favorite Jeep,” I say. “Or you can have the SUV if you prefer, Jade. What’s mine now belongs to you.”
Jade bursts out laughing. “Guys, stop! This is ridiculous! I’m not a kept woman or a sugar baby. I’ve always prided myself on being independent. You don’t need to give me money, land, or cars, though I very much appreciate the offers.”
“We love your independent streak, but we want to take care of you now,” Seven tells her in a soft, but firm voice. “Please let us do that. We make substantial salaries. What’s the harm in pampering our Queen?”
Jade leans back in her chair and crosses her arms, studying us intently. Her eyes scan each of us, evaluating, weighing our sincerity. “If you really want to do something for me, then agree to work with me. Partner up with me. I talked with Natasha today. I’m sure Kit has already told you about our meeting with her at an ice bar. If Eva agrees to my terms of a fifty-fifty split, we’ll begin working together soon on reverse engineering the slot machine.”
“Wow, things are moving faster than expected.” Seven leans forward, his eyebrows raised in surprise. “Do you think Eva will agree to the split?”
“I hope so,” Jade says, lightly shrugging. “It’s fair for everyone. I told Natasha that one of my terms is to bring in my own team.”
“Your team?” Seven echoes. “And who would that be?”
“The three of you, of course,” she replies, her eyes twinkling with a mixture of invitation and challenge.
“Are you officially asking us to be a part of your scam?” Seven asks, a spark of excitement flashing in his eyes.
“I prefer the word scheme to scam,” Jade says, grinning. “It sounds better, don’t you think? The answer is yes, I’m inviting you to join me and be a part of my team. We all have strengths, and combined, we could make this work. We’ll split our share of the proceeds evenly.”
“Does this include Leroy?” Seven asks. “Is he invited, too?”
“Absolutely,” Jade replies. “He’s a crucial part of the plan because of his security clearance with the casinos. We need him. He’s already deep in our shit due to what happened with Ivan. If he’s going to accept the risks, he should benefit the same as all of us monetarily.”
“I agree. Leroy is as loyal as they come.” Seven nods appreciatively. “Thank you for including him. It sounds as if this is a done deal if Eva agrees.”
“That’s what I’m hoping for,” Jade says.
“Then count me in one hundred percent,” Seven continues. “I’ve been thinking about this ever since you mentioned it the first time. I have several ideas I’d like to run by you, if you’re interested.”
“I thought you were against her getting involved with Natasha?” I frown at Seven. “What changed your mind?”
Seven grins back at me. “I’ve always been intrigued by the idea of pulling off this scheme, probably too much, if I’m being honest. My mind has already gone over a million different ways we could pull this off. My only concern was the risk Jade would be putting herself in. If we’re involved too, we can minimize her risk. I wasn’t going to encourage Jade to go forward with the plan, but if her mind is made up, then I’ll be right beside her. Count me in, Jade. I’m with you every step of the way.”
Damn, that’s huge.
I turn to Jade. “Are you sure you’re aware of the danger you’ll be putting yourself in by pulling a scam…excuse me, scheme in the Vegas casinos? We’ve warned you about Giovanni. The other casino owners are bad men, too.”
