“You guys want to go explore, and we’ll meet up with you?” I extend the offer to Cooper, uncertain what his reaction will be.
“Are you sure? You won’t ditch Chloe, right? I mean, don’t tell her this, but I don’t want her wandering around alone.” He eyes another guy who openly checks her out.
“Yeah, no. I figured you and Vanessa might want some time to hang out. I can take Chloe to play poker with me.”
“You’re sure?” He doesn’t voice it, but I can see the hesitancy in his gaze, questioning if this is a good idea because before this trip, Chloe and I have never spent time together without him.
“Positive.”
He grins, turning back to the girls. “Hey, Vanessa. You want to go for a gondola ride?”
Her smile is enough of an answer, but she looks at Chloe, a silent question to ensure she’s okay with it.
Chloe grins, a subtle nod of her head. “Go. Have fun.”
Vanessa spins around, her smile impossibly wide as she and Coop head in the opposite direction.
“Come on,” I say to Chloe.
“What?”
“I’ve got a poker game, and you’re playing.”
Shock has her lips parting. “I wasn’t kidding. I’m not a poker player.”
I shrug. “It’s just for fun. It doesn’t matter if you win or lose.”
Her green eyes pinch with uncertainty. “I don’t think we’re going to play at the same tables.”
Understanding dawns on me: money. “The game’s on me. I already bought your seat.”
She looks like my classmates when a professor announces there’s going to be a pop quiz.
“Chloe, you went out into New Orleans alone, did a ghost hunt, and then got lost in the fucking desert. This is going to be a walk in the park. Hell, I’ll throw in cake.”
She scoffs. “I feel like I should apologize now for losing your money.”
“That’s all right because I plan on winning it back.”
She rolls her eyes, making me smile. This is the side of her that’s been missing all day. “Which casino are we going to?”
“We’ll drive.”
“Is it downtown? My dad said they have a cool light show.”
I shake my head. “It’s a private event.”
Her green eyes narrow. “A private event? Do I want to know?”
“Probably not, but it’s too late now.”
When we pull up to the industrial building once used to make and process sand, Chloe’s looking at the place like the graveyard we toured on the ghost tour. “This is it?”
I nod.
“Is this a joke?” Reluctance tugs her lips into a frown.
Another car pulls up beside us; an Aston Martin.
“People get paranoid hosting high stakes games at their houses,” I explain. “This place has been operating for several years, though. They’re legit, and you’re safe. I wouldn’t bring you here if I didn’t know that.”
Two women get out of the Aston Martin and head toward the building.
Chloe reaches for the door handle. “Why does this feel like a really bad idea?”
We cross the parking lot, our shoes crunching against the gravel lot to a service lift that the women enter without hesitation. Chloe follows them, her gaze meeting mine when she turns around. There’s that same gleam of excitement and nerves I’m starting to feel an addiction to in her eyes.
The lift sways as it hits the top floor, and Chloe remains back to allow the other two off first. I move toward her, my hand at her waist. “Stay next to me. If anyone asks, we’re together. These guys think their money entitles them to everything and everyone.”
Her steps falter, and her gaze becomes accusatory. “Like human trafficking level or whore level?”
I shake my head. “People are impressed by money. They don’t have to buy women. Women fall for them because of what they can get. Everyone can be bought.”
Her brow furrows. “That’s not me. I’m not—”
“I know,” I tell her, my grip at her waist tightening. “But you’re an anomaly.”
She shakes her head as I lead her out to the hallway. “Cooper isn’t your friend because you have money.”
I stop, turning to face her. “Why haven’t you told him?”
She shifts her attention from looking around the building to me, her brows pinched. “Told him what?”
“What an arsehole I’ve been to you?”
Chloe’s confidence wanes as she looks away, her lips rolling together.
“He’d hate me if he knew,” I tell her.
Her green stare hits me like a brick, fast and hard. “I know. But it would hurt him. Coop’s had enough loss in his life, and you not liking me shouldn’t be a price he has to pay. Aside from me and Ness, he’s never had many friends—people hold onto expectations even tighter than they hold on to memories. They think Cooper will be just like his dad, and he’s had to live in that shadow forever. Brighton gave him a way out—you gave him a way out.”
“You think I don’t like you?”
A dozen emotions flash in her green eyes. “Sometimes.” Her answer sounds like a question. “I never know what you’re thinking.”
“Tyler,” Jericho greets me with a smile, interrupting our conversation. “Good to see you. It’s been too long.” He offers his hand.
I steal a look at Chloe, who takes a breath, a cross between relief and annoyance in her slightly crooked smile. My grip tightens at her waist before I release her to shake Jericho’s hand. “Thanks for the invite.”
He nods. “You’re always welcome.” His attention shifts to Chloe. “This is your plus one?” He extends his hand to her, and without waiting for a beat, she takes it.
“Chloe,” she says, earning his full attention with the simple gesture. He hates demure women.
“Welcome, Chloe. Please, follow me.”
We pass by a couple of men who are here as muscle in case someone tries to steal or cause problems. I tell Chloe this, making sure Jericho hears me because the reminder serves as much as an assurance as a threat. Jericho’s games are private—invite only—and would come to a hard stop if rumors were to start about him or one of his guests strong-arming in any way.
Jericho nods. “My friends
