Page 104 of New Nebraska Heat

Dagger

Iwas up forty-eight grand. After the craps table’s favor had started to fizzle out, I’d moved over to blackjack and the cards had been far kinder than expected.

By Bryce’s deal, I could’ve cashed out long ago, but I was having too much fun. Besides, if I went bust, anything left went to charity.

I picked a thousand-dollar chip from my clump of stacks and turned it in my fingers. Maybe Ishouldcash out, keep a month’s work of income, and then donate the rest… minus enough to take Serenity on a five-star date.

The table had quietened though, especially after Prince Osric had pulled me aside and passed on his intel about Fae artifacts passing though hands in New Nebraska’s black market. Fae government officials were trying and failing to track down the items to their source. Just another question mark in what was going with the Marchand coven and the nastier elements in this new state.

Osric’s absence left me alone with the water elemental dealer,Westen. I’d only lost a couple of hands to him, but I’d read his eyes each time. The kid didn’t like beating me.

“You think I should quit while I’m ahead?” I asked as he shuffled a fresh pack. “Or put the whole lot on one final hand, double or nothing?”

His eyes sang a song of ocean blue, the color washing and swirling in waves as he looked between me and the cards. “Well, it’s against hotel policy for me to tell you to stop or continue but”—he glanced around before lowering his voice—“I’d say I can’tdealwith this game anymore. Lady Luck has her limits, so I’ve heard…”

Wise advice. Anyway, there was another, far more alluring lady who’d hopefully saved me a dance. It had been too long since I’d seen her face.

God, what a sap I’d become.

“You might be right. You’re a good kid. How old are you?”

“Nineteen, sir.”

Damn. He was a kid even compared to Seb. “Takes you a few shifts to earn a grand, I’m guessing?”

He smiled. “A few. And then a few more.”

I undid my bow tie and let it hang in halves around my collar, plucking the top two buttons open. Leaning my forearms on the felt-top table’s squashy leather rim, I had a mouthful of lightly chilled vodka, enjoying its cool burn spreading through my insides.

I flipped the thousand-dollar chip like a coin, then slid it across the green felt, just shy of the betting circle. “This is your tip. You want the chip now, or you want to try for more with my final hand? Whatever I win, you win?”

Not looking up as he loaded the shoe with new cards, he tried to hide his smile as he whispered, “Fuck it, sir. What’s life without a little excitement?”

I raised my glass in salute. “Kindred spirit. Let’s—”

Hunter’s palm thumped on my shoulder. “Place this size shouldhave more toilets. I just spent five minutes circling the place, and I still haven’t found one.”

I pointed a backward thumb to the casino restrooms, letting the vodka loosen my tongue to sing, “Hello, is it pee you’re looking for?”

Goddamn if Hunt’s chuckle didn’t seem genuine. He looked at my pile of chips, jerking his head back. “Damn, how much you got?”

“Fifty big ones. Minus this thousand for young Westen here.” I slid the black chip fully into the betting circle, tapping the felt for my cards. “Let’s do this.”

Hunter delayed his bathroom break to see the outcome. Westen held in a smirk as he dealt me my two cards. The ace of spades and the ten of hearts. Blackjack, motherfucker.

“Player has blackjack,” Westen said through a knowing grin. He slid over the winnings into the betting circle.

I picked up the chips, two and a half grand for a blackjack win, and poked them firmly into Westen’s waistcoat pocket. “You’d better buy your mom some real nice flowers.”

“Yes, sir. And I might treat a few other ladies too.”

I laughed, remembering me and Hunt at that age.

“You’re all right, kid. Can you line those chips into a tray?”

I had a lot of money to cash out. That brought more music from deep down as I clasped Hunt’s arm and sang softly in victory. “See them sigh and wish to dieeeee. See them wink the other eyeeeeee.” I stood, holding my brother’s shoulder, moving slowly forward. “I’m the man who broke the bank at Monte Carloooooo!” I kissed his cheek, and he looked at me with shock at first. Then, as he shook his head, I saw the old indulgence soften his smile into that “only Dagger” look I hadn’t seen in years. Once upon a time, it had blunted every disapproving word with a hidden laugh. I hadn’t realized how much I’d truly missed it.

“Come on, Hunt,” I said, the old nickname rolling out with ease. “Your brother just stepped into the winner’s circle. Aren’t you going to bring it in?”