Page 96 of Double or Nothing
“You didn’t think to clear it with management before you crashed the casino with a herd of animals? The Imperial is not a barn. You turned my classy casino into a goddamn petting zoo. We have an outstanding reputation to uphold.”
I hold up my hands, trying to project an air of innocence. “I mean, yeah, it sounds crazy now, but at the time, it seemed like a great plan. The reindeer were well behaved.”
He raises his eyebrows at me, a silent challenge.
“For reindeer, that is,” I correct. “I apologize for the mess they left on the carpet and on one of the poker tables. Kit didn’t warn me about the amount of waste they produce or the awful smell. They were wearing bags under their butts, but I guess they must’ve overflowed due to their excitement.”
“Do you have any idea how difficult it is to get the smell of reindeer shit out of carpet?”
“No, but I can imagine,” I reply. “The crowd loved it, though! Did you see their faces light up when I rode in on the sleigh? It totally made their holiday. The videos immediately went viral on every social media outlet. Millions of views in just a few minutes. That’s free organic publicity that can’t be bought.”
“You don’t need to give me a lesson in public relations,” he says. “Frankly, I don’t care about any of that. What I want to know is how the fuck did you pull it off?”
Oh shit, he knows.
“What do you mean?” I ask, carefully hiding the unease in my voice. “Pull off what?”
“I want to hear how you did the illusion. How did you disappear into thin air and leave nothing behind but a melting snowman wearing your Santa hat? How were you able to rig the sprinkler system to cause a blizzard? I was less than ten feet away when you spun around, turned into the snowman, and then disappeared. Tell me how you pulled it off.”
I break into a grin, overcome by relief that he’s not talking about Jade. I was prepared to go to any length to protect her, even if it meant walking away from my remaining contract.
“Magic,” I explain. “It’s what I was born to do. To entertain and amaze people. To make them smile and forget their troubles, if only for a little while. Illusions are my life. And I can never give away my secrets. Not even to you.”
He studies me for a moment, a slow nod of acknowledgement punctuating his silence. “You have a rare talent, Seven,” he says. “I was impressed, and I don’t say that often. There are very few things that wow me these days. Because of that, I’ll overlook your stunt this one time. I’ll talk to Kit too, but we both know you were the mastermind behind this.”
I’m stunned.
Of all the ways I expected this conversation to go, it wasn’t like this. I might walk away from here with all limbs intact.
“I talked to the insurance company again and they’ve come around to a different way of thinking,” he continues. “They’ve agreed to continue insurance coverage of your show without changes for a substantial increase in premiums. Luckily, the ticket sales for your new show have gone through the roof after the stunt you pulled and the resulting publicity. As a result, we’re doubling the ticket prices and adding several extra time slots. Be prepared to work your ass off this winter. We’re tripling the advertising budget and making plans to build a larger theater.”
I’m not fired.
I can’t fucking believe it.
He walks across the room to his desk and picks up a stack of papers. I recognize my signature where I’d signed weeks ago not to use a variety of dangerous devices in my show. The same day we kidnapped Jade and our lives changed forever. He rips the document in half and throws it into the trashcan beside his desk.
“I’m giving you back full artistic control of your show,” he says. “I’m also giving you a second chance, which is a very rare occurrence. I’m warning you. Don’t fuck it up. You won’t get a third.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t,” I say; while already plotting how I can fuck him over again.
All is good with the world.
I’m back in business, and Jade is safe.
42
JADE
The New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball at the Imperial Hotel…
“May I escort you to the ball this evening, madam?” Seven says, bending before me with a gallant bow. He’s stunning, dressed immaculately in his black tuxedo, white starched shirt and bowtie. The Venetian mask, a vivid shade of blue, adds an air of mystery, drawing attention to his captivating eyes twinkling back at me.
He straightens and offers me his elbow.
“Yes, you may, kind sir,” I reply, smiling.
My gloved hand finds its place within the crook of his elbow, and we venture into the magnificent ballroom. The Imperial Hotel’s lavish New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball is a long tradition going back decades.
