Page 16 of Grace of Spades

"I mean she's going to make you earn it." Andras clarifies still laughing to himself effectively dismissing the kid. I follow Andras, who is still laughing, to his office. He turns to me with a calculating look.

"That goes for you as well. Don't think I haven't noticed your interest in my niece." I feel my stomach drop out of my body. I'm going to get fired.

"I wasn't-" I start but he cuts me off putting a hand up.

"I know you weren't going to make a move. But if you do, you will have to earn it. She doesn't trust easily. I like you though, so I will let you know a secret." He smiles sadly. "She hides knives everywhere."

"What?" I ask with my heart in my throat. He just nods.

"Ruby has informed me of dozens of knives hidden all over her room. I'm keeping them there because they clearly make her feel safe." He continues. I knew there was more to her past but...

"What happened to her?" I ask.

"I don't know. She hasn't told me much." He shrugs. "Just be careful with her." I nod.

"You're free for the rest of the day." He smiles mischievously. "I hear there's a movie showing." My heart soars. I have a shot with my angel.

"Thank you, sir," I say and leave the office.

Grace

Even the fucking movie theatres are fancy here! The ground isn't sticky, the popcorn is hot and not soggy.

"Stop looking so disgusted." Kennedy laughs.

"It's not disgust. I just... this is so weird." I correct her.

"How different is it?"

"Well, first of all, all the lights work, the floor isn't sticky, and the people behind the counter are actually behind the counter. I haven't had to jump the counter to get my own food." I explain. The look of horror on her face is adorable. I pat her back. "It's okay. Life goes on." I chuckle.

"Hello, ladies," Alek says with his customary flirty grin. He seems to have gotten over his earlier weirdness. Keir is quiet beside him.

"Hello, gentlemen," I reply with a smile.

"What took you so long? Even I know not to keep a lady like Grace waiting." Kennedy scolds them.

"Yeah... I start getting into trouble." I cackle.

"I went to the washroom and I found her hustling air hockey! Unbelievable." She says it like it's a bad thing.

"Hey, I made fifty bucks in ten minutes. Hookers don't make thatkind of money." I smirk as I walk away. Keir snorts a laugh as they catch up to me.

I settle in my seat between Keir and Kennedy with Alek on Keir's other side. The movie starts and I grab Keir's arm to look at his watch.

"It even starts on time? What the hell is this place?" I whisper causing him to chuckle. I offer Keir some popcorn and he grabs a handful with a small smile.

"That is the coolest goddamn car I have ever seen," Kennedy says pointing to a weird peach-coloured Lamborghini. I give her a weird look before turning back to the screen.

"Come downtown with me sometime I'll take you to a race. They got some nice cars down there." I whisper back before we get hushed by a guy behind us, I flip him off in response. Some things are universal.

Halfway through the movie, I feel my phone buzz quietly in my pocket. There are only so many people it could be so I figure I better answer it.

"I'll be right back, guys," I say climbing past Kennedy and out of the theatre. I look at my phone. Unknown number. Ray.

I call back.

"Hello?" Ray greets.