Page 46

Julian ismad, mad and holding something he could easily slit my throat with.

“Is that understood?” Julian roars.

I cross my arms. “Don’t talk to me like you’re my father.”

So much for keeping my mouth shut.

“Trust me, I’m far from him.” He tosses the shard on the ground. His feet crunch against the glass as he steps toward me. “Unlike that bastard, I saved your ass. A little appreciation would be nice.”

“Here we go with that bullshit.” I spin on my heel and speed toward the front door. “You know what? I don’t want yousaving my assagain. Let me leave, and I’ll take care of my-damn-self.”

“Where’d you learn to count cards?” he calls to my back.

I stop, peering over my shoulder. “What?”

“Where’d you learn to count cards? A privileged woman like you doesn’t run in circles that card count and steal.”

I pinch my lips together.

There’s no point in denying it.

He saw me on camera.

Julian snaps his fingers.

“My nanny,” I murmur, turning to get a better look at him.

He strolls toward the kitchen and circles the island.

Opening a drawer, he pulls out a deck of cards and motions toward a stool.

“You’re not going anywhere,” he says. “Sit your ass down.”

“Apleasewould be nice.” I glare at him, crossing my arms again.

He gives me a stern look.

“Ugh, fine.” I dramatically sigh, throw my arms out to my sides, and stomp toward him.

He keeps his gaze pinned on me while I collapse on the stool and wait for his next move.

His wicked eyes stay on me as he stands tall and deals the cards. “I want you to play how you did at the casino.”

Counting cards with only two players is difficult. I have a ninety-ten ratio of winning with at least four people. With two, it lowers to around fifty-fifty.

When I played with Sonya, she’d set up places for imaginary players and call out their plays. Or sometimes, her nephews would join us.

My parents were gone most of the time when I was growing up and trusted her with me.

She could’ve had me trafficking drugs or stripping, and they’d never have known.

Not that Sonya would’ve ever done that.

We played cards for fun.

I shut my eyes when sadness hits me.

I miss her. I miss her so damn much.