Page 6 of His Bet To Take
“What—Wha—Why?” I begin to panic. I just saw a man die. I’m going to die next. I know it. I’m not one of those girls who have their defenses up to protect themselves. This isn’t a movie. This is reality. “Please—” I beg, tears beginning to spill down my cheeks. “Please, don’t kill me. I don’t know what my brother did, but I’ll do anything. Please—” I don’t care how pathetic I sound. Most people will bargain for their lives.
His fingers are slick with blood, sliding under my chin, and he lifts my head, forcing me to look at him. “I’d never kill you, Mae. Your mine. I’ll only ever give you what you need.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You’re coming home with me, Mae. You’re mine now. That’s all you need to understand.”
Why the hell does that sound more terrifying than death?
Chapter Three
Ian
For good measure, James zip-ties Mae’s wrists together, ankles too, just so she can’t escape. Not that she’d ever get far. I’m intrinsically invested in her, more than money spent on drugs, weapons, art, anything and everything I could make money from.
Her beauty is something that’s priceless. People should bow at her feet. People should be honored to be in the presence of such grace. People should pay just to have the privilege of looking at her.
How did I not know about her? I checked Patrick’s background, as I do with everyone who comes into my casino and makes promises they can’t keep.
How did she slip through my fingers?
Nevertheless, she won’t ever get by me again.
“Where are you taking me?” She doesn’t look at me, no, that would be too much for her right now because she hates that she’s curious. I can see it. I can see her interest, her underlying desire, the tension, the fear, and the want.
It feeds me.
Like a vampire needing blood during a good fuck, she fills me in ways violence and money never can.
“I’m taking you home.” I take my sunglasses off and tuck them in my pocket, leaning against the leather seats and spreading my legs to get comfortable.
“My home isn’t in this direction.”
I laugh, tilting my mouth sideways as I think about her apartment. Pure filth. Pure disgust. She tried to make it cozy, but it’s roach invested, the walls are stained from nicotine, and there is no air conditioning. When I saw her apartment, I realized I needed to do better for my island.
“You aren’t going back there. It isn’t good enough for you.”
“And what do you know about what’s good enough for me? If you did, I wouldn’t be zip-tied and kidnapped. No, not kidnapped. What was it? Did he bet me? I’m just a payment plan. This isn’t good for anyone but you.”
“You’re sassy. You have fight. I like that.”
“I don’t care what you like, Roulette.”
“Ian,” I correct her, entranced by how the sunlight is gleaming against her hair, reminding me of polished bronze.
“I’ll stick with Roulette since I feel like you’re playing with my life.” The pastel green of her eyes cut to mine, the rage shimmering in the Caribbean pools fuels my obsession.
I lean into her space, the scent of her vanilla scent invading my senses. Placing my elbows on my knees, I lift my hand and grip her chin between my fingers. “If there is one thing you need to know, your life is safe with me. You’ll want for nothing.”
“And my freedom?”
“You call the life you had an hour ago freedom?”
“No, but at least it was mine.” Mae leans her head against the window and again, I’m captivated. Never in my life did I think my craving meant finding love. That was never in the cards for me. Having my heart caged and numb is what makes me successful, it is what makes men fear me, but after so long of the same routine, I realize my life had no meaning.
I can’t remember my parents, they died when I was young, and I raised myself. I didn’t need anyone. I learned a long time ago that being dependent on someone was a way of weakness because the only person that can take care of you, is yourself.
But deep down inside, past the bars I’ve caged myself in, past the delusion of only needing me, past the numbness, I need more than myself.