Chapter 12
Evie
Idon’t know how many times I say his name, but finally, he turns his head from the table.
“What are you still doing here? I thought you were going out with him.” Caleb’s attention goes right back to the table as if he can’t give me a second of his time.
I wonder why he would assume I was going out with Torch. I told him I was going back to my room.
“We are going out. But first, I need to speak with you.”
“Can it wait? I’m on a lucky streak here. Already doubled my money you gave me.”
He looks to Torch, and my head turns in the man’s direction as well.
“You gave him money?”
“I wanted to spend time with you alone. It was my only way.”
“He paid my ass a hundred grand so he could take you out for the night,” Caleb adds. “He thinks he can steal you away from me. But I know there’s nothing to worry about. You love me too much, don’t you, baby?” He tries to wrap his arm around my waist, but I step out of his reach.
“You just sold me to the man for money? What the hell were you thinking? And you…” I turn toward Torch. “You didn’t have to pay for me to spend time with you. Now, give it back, Caleb.”
“No. I’m not giving it back. A deal’s a fucking deal. And shouldn’t I be the one who’s mad?”
“We’re over, Caleb. I’m done. I’ve been done for a long time.” For longer than I’d care to admit.
“You think you’re done with me?” Caleb seethes.
“I never even started with you. I saw your last name on the membership form and figured I could put in some time for a payout. Didn’t think it’d be so fucking painful because you were cute, but then you turned out to be a prude.
I had to get my clients to suck me off in the locker room to compensate for my boring sex life. ”
On all things that are holy, I have never wanted to hurt anyone. I have never wanted to inflict pain or watch anyone suffer, but I’m imagining the life being strangled from his neck. I’m imagining him dropping dead right before my eyes. How could it have taken me so long to see the truth?
“I should kill you now.” Torch’s dark, seething warning cuts through my spiraling thoughts. “You should stay in town and step into that ring next weekend so I can make you pay for your crimes against my girl.”
“You don’t fucking scare me. My biceps are twice the size.”
“But your penis is half,” I state. “And your brain is the size of a pea.”
Man, that feels good to say. I should never have moved in with him in the first place. I hate to admit it, but my dad was right.
“I’m going to marry you, Evie.”
I turn toward Torch and he’s smiling at me, making those butterflies flutter to life.
“Now, I see why you went to all the trouble,” the guy behind the poker table says, chuckling.
“You ready for that date now, babe?” Torch pulls me to him.
“Yes, but I just have one more thing to say.” I look toward Caleb, and my stomach coils with disgust. “I’m going to leave your things outside of the room and have the door code changed. If you’re going to stay, you’ll have to pay for your own accommodations.”
“I don’t need your money. I’ve already turned the hundred grand he gave me into two hundred. By the time my night is up, I’m going to be a very rich man.”
The man standing behind the poker table exchanges a look with Torch, and I’m guessing Caleb’s winning streak is up. They always say the house wins in Vegas.
““Where are we going?” I ask, turning back to Mr. Gorgeous.
“To my room.”
Three simple words but they set off every nerve in my body, lighting me up in flames.