Chapter 8

I almost jump for joy when I realize: I never have to go back to that shack of a house ever again. I don’t need anything we left behind—I can simply buy replacements. New clothes, new toys, new furniture—heck, I can buy a whole new house!

“I’ll take that lump sum for the rest of it, if that’s okay,” I whisper to the cashier. I don’t know why I feel so embarrassed about it. Like I don’t deserve it.

She smiles warmly at me and nods. “Absolutely, hon.”

Maybe that’s what it is. I’m embarrassed because I’m afraid this is all just a weird fever dream, and I’m about to wake up next to Martin. He’ll ask me what the dream was about, then find some way to punish me for dumping champagne on a total stranger and winning more money than he’ll ever see in a lifetime.

It won’t matter that it’s all a dream.

He’ll find a way to punish me.

I’m going to wake up, and all this will be gone.

The cashier frowns with concern. “Honey… are you okay?”

I don’t realize I’ve started to have a panic attack until she says something. I’m gripping the counter and breathing hard, and for a moment, I completely forgot where I was.

Slowly, I nod. “Uh-huh. Sorry. Just… wrapping my head…” I twirl a finger in the air.

She smirks. “It’s real, hon. You are wide awake.”

“I’m free.”

I don’t realize I said that out loud until our eyes meet. There’s a sudden warmth of sympathy in her gaze, and I kind of want to hug her.

“Yeah, hon. You’re free.”

I swallow hard. Nod. Tighten the straps on my bag, make sure it’s zipped, and hold it close to my chest. Then nod again. “I guess… I guess I’m doing this.”

The cashier winks at me. “You’re doing this. And you’ll do just fine.” She leans forward and drops her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “May he choke on the dust of your tires.”

When women know, we know.

Smiling in disbelief, I hug my bag and make my way to those ornate glass doors I’d walked through what now feels like a lifetime ago. They’re only a few yards away. A few yards away, past the crystal fountain, and Willow and I are getting the hell outta⁠— “Miss?”

Two security guards suddenly approach me, then flank me. They’re stone-faced and grim. “Would you come with us, please?”

I was so close to freedom.

6

CLARA

Please, God. I don’t even know what I’m praying for. Mercy, maybe?

I don’t know what I’ve done, but it must be bad. We’re joined by two more guards and now, I’m surrounded on all sides by armed men in uniform with badges and there’s no escape and⁠—

“Ah, there you are!”

An overly tanned man with silver hair and an impeccably white tuxedo greets me and my “entourage” with open arms and a beaming smile. “Miss Everett, yes?” I nod. Slowly.

“My apologies for the scare. Seriously, gentlemen, can’t you see she’s terrified?” He shoos them away with a flick of his fingers. His million-watt smile returns, and he ushers me past another crystal fountain. “I was almost afraid we’d missed you.

Right this way, Miss Everett.”

I stop in my tracks, only because I’m struggling to process it all. “Where are we going?”

“Ah, right!” He claps his hands together. “Forgive me. It’s been a busy night and there was a small disaster with the boss… Anyway. My name is Charles, and I am one of the floor managers here at The Meridian.”

“You’re…” I gulp. “You’re a pit boss.”

He scrunches his nose in distaste. “Only if you’re a cheater. Which—not to worry, Miss Everett—we know you are not.”

Well, that’s good. At least, I think it is.

He sweeps an arm behind me to guide me forward without actually touching me. “You are quite the celebrity! Among those of us who know about your big win, that is. And it is my duty—nay, my honor, to grant you a complimentary stay in one of our most luxurious suites for the night. As congratulations for your obvious favor with Lady Luck.” For the night?

Oh, no…

“I’m so sorry.” I’m stammering and I can’t help it. But I’m also panicking. “I can’t stay the night. I have to go get my⁠—”

“Guests are welcome, of course. We must ask you to cap off at a maximum of four, for occupancy regulations and such.”

I glance around the casino. I have no doubt the adjoining hotel is just as fancy, if not more. It definitely has a shower where I can rinse off all this sticky, dried bubbly from my skin.

And I know for a fact that Willow would go absolutely nuts to be able to live like a princess for a night.

At that, I manage to actually, genuinely smile.

“You know what? I think I’ll take you up on that.”

Charles smiles and offers me his arm. I still hug the bag to my chest, but I’m not as worried someone is going to steal it from me now. It occurs to me that that might be why so many guards flanked me just to get to Charles—they had to have known I was carrying a large amount of cash.

For the first time in my life, I actually feel somewhat safe.