Freak Show (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #7)(25)

“Hey, don’t blame me for this. You’re the one who insisted on coming to Vegas.” My skin prickled as well, flush with goose bumps. Sitting between two powerful vampires in conflict wasn’t easy. “I wish they had just beat the hell out of one another. The waiting is killing me.”

Jez crooked a finger, beckoning to a passing waitress. A devilish smile lit up her face. This city was quickly bringing out the inner monster in all of us. “You know Arys wouldn’t play a game he couldn’t win,” she chided. “Have a little faith in him. His arrogance can be backed up with legit skill.”

“We can’t assume anything. There is always a chance he will lose. Then what? I join them?” I indicated the vampiress showgirls seducing human men with ease on the other side of the building.

With a brow raised in speculative interest, Jez eyed the scantily clad vampires. “I don’t think you’d be so lucky. Jenner’s idea of entertainment seems to involve an audience and theatrics.”

“He can kill me. There’s no way in hell I’m doing that.” My words came out in a hush. I couldn’t bring myself to go down that road right now.

“Think I can buy a lap dance without having to give up any blood?”

I followed Jez’s gaze to the redhead gyrating on a table. Annoyance struck me and I frowned. Then I shrugged it off, feeling like an ass. Jez shouldn’t have to suffer because of vampire business that didn’t involve her. She needed to cut loose and heal after a horrible loss.

“Only one way to find out.” I gave her a playful push. “Go ahead. Have fun and be careful. You know where to find me.”

Taking a little walk around the casino gave me a chance to ready myself to return to the poker table. It also gave me an excuse to call and check in on things back home.

I hit Kale’s number in the contact list and then drifted between slot machines, listening to it ring. An older couple shouted in glee as they won two hundred dollars. A solitary man a few machines down from them swore and punched the air before lighting a cigarette and puffing angrily away. He caught me watching and made a crude penis pulling gesture. Somehow I walked on without stuffing his head up his ass.

“Miss me already?” Kale purred into my ear. “Or just checking to make sure I’m still functioning on a semi-sane level?”

My breath caught, and I had a guilty sense of relief at the sound of his voice. “Maybe a little of both. Is that ok?”

The background noise grew quieter as I awaited his reply. “You’re a masochist, Alexa. How is Vegas treating you so far?”

“Vegas is fabulous. The vampires, however, are a serious pain in the ass.” I leaned against a slot machine and peered across the distance into the poker area. The thought of returning to that table filled me with dread.

Kale laughed, a light sound that was reminiscent of who he used to be. The sarcasm that followed reminded me how greatly he’d changed. “You mean Arys’s vampire family didn’t accept you with open arms? Color me shocked. So, how much trouble are you in?”

He could try all he liked to convince me that his love for me had twisted into something ugly during his time locked up by the FPA, but the fact that he bothered to ask told me otherwise. I allowed myself a small smile.

“I’m not sure yet,” I said with a bitter laugh. “I’ll let you know when the poker game deciding my fate is over.”

“Nothing says love quite like using your lady as a poker bet. Classy. And to think, you could be here instead. With me.”

“So you can taunt me into driving a stake through your heart?” I scoffed. “That’s not a game I want to keep playing. I think my chances of winning are better here.”

“Our game is far from over.” The promises hidden within Kale’s statement echoed across the distance between us.

There was an awkward pause where neither of us spoke. I grasped for words, wondering why I’d thought this call would make me feel better. Somehow, I couldn’t accept that things between Kale and me were so irreparably damaged.

“Anyway,” I stammered. “I just wanted to make sure things were all good there. So have a good night and, um, try not to kill anybody.”

Before I could hang up Kale said, “Alexa…don’t get killed, ok? I like you with a heartbeat.”

The last bit was cryptic, spoken with a smile judging by the lilt to his tone. It sent a chill through me that left me staring at the phone long after he’d hung up.

I ambled up to the poker table, doing my best to take my sweet time. Only Shaz glanced up at my approach. The two vampires locked in card combat had eyes only for each other. Sloane had vacated, leaving the men without a voice of reason. I guess it would have to be me. Joy.

“So, what did I miss?” I slid into the chair beside Shaz, taking note of the amount of chips in each vampire’s possession. Things were not looking good.

“Besides some arrogant bets that didn’t pay off? Not much.” He stared pointedly at Arys who scowled. “He might be able to bluff a good game back home, but I think he’s met his match here.”

“It’s a game of strategy, pup. I know what I’m doing. Would you care to get in on this?” Arys asked snidely, his temper short.

Shaz ran a finger through the condensation on his beer bottle. He wore a bored expression. “Not at all. I’ll leave the stupid decisions in your hands. You’re doing a great job so far.” He followed up with a sarcastic thumbs up.