Page 4 of The Gambler

"We need a table for four." Jameson told the maitre'd as they entered.

"Do you have chocolate?"

"Uh chocolate cake, yes sir." The middle aged man eyed Andros as though he was a wild animal out of his natural habitat. Huh, the look didn't faze the younger man, he was used to people cutting a wide swath around him. He guessed the thousand dollar suits couldn't hide the true nature of the beast.

"Not cake, candy bars."

"Uh no sir." The man was hurrying to seat them at a table in the corner, but Andros stopped at what he considered the best table in the place and sat his little Jenna, before taking his own seat, while his two guards followed suit.

The red-faced maitre'dturned back to them and placed their menus in front of them.

"No sir, we don't carry chocolate here."

"Find some."

"Sir?"

Garrett stepped in before blood could be shed. He knew his boss was still pissed from the scene at the casino, he also knew it was going to be a while before the other man calmed down and who knows what it was going to take to bring that about, short of Alec Petridis's blood in his teeth.

Everyone knew the story of Andros's love for his little sister. Rumor was, the once easy going young heir had gone overnight from a peace loving sort, into a force to be reckoned with. The only one he was even remotely friendly with was his grandfather, who seemed to be the only one able to rein the young man in when he went into one of his moods.

If he didn't miss his guess, this Jenna Petridis was like Andros's sister, and the other kids he was always spending so much time with down at the special home he'd had built for special needs kids. The place was built for kids whose families either couldn't, or didn't want to take responsibility for their care. Part of the facility was actually set up for parents and kids, who were down on their luck. The man was fanatical about that place and those kids.

Themaître' d hurried away after whatever Garrett had whispered in his ear. Andros could care less, as long as somebody produced a chocolate bar in the next five minutes.

A young blonde girl came towards their table, and approached Jenna with something in her hand; Andros snatched her hand roughly away, causing her to cry out in fear.

"Sir, they said you wanted chocolate." He eased up his hold as she opened her hand to show him the candy bar there.

"Angel play nice?"

He turned to his little Jenna, as he released the young woman's hand.

"Sorry little Jenna."

He took the candy and laid it on the table in front of her.

"Name?" He turned to the girl who was hovering, her eyes on Jenna as if trying to figure out just what was wrong with the beautiful young girl, because it was obvious that something wasn't quite right.

"Oh sorry, Tori sir."

"Where'd you get the chocolate Tori?"

"Oh Carl said you wanted some and I always carry some in my bag."

She was a little wary of the extremely handsome, but very scary man. When he reached into his pocket she almost made a run for it, but he just unfolded a couple hundred-dollar bills and passed them to her.

"Oh no sir, I couldn't, that's way too much and besides, I wasn't expecting to get paid."

"Kindness has no price, take it and tell whoever's in charge that this table is yours."

He dismissed her with a look and turned his attention back to his little Jenna, who seemed preoccupied with the candy wrapper.

"Angel help." She held it up to him and he couldn't resist kissing her fingers as he took it from her hands and unwrapped it for her.

Chapter 3

Though the three men weren't hungry, they sat patiently, while Jenna played with her spaghetti Bolognese. Andros had known when he ordered it, that she might spend as much time playing with the strings of pasta on her fork, as she did actually eating it; but for him, it was all about her joy.