Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 26967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 135(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 135(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
He must be one of those people that enjoy playing with their prey before they pounce. I’ve heard whispers of the man before. There are so many casinos in Vegas it’s hard to keep track of who owns which. I try not to stay in one for too long anyway. But it was so easy. Too easy now that I really think about it. That should have been my first sign that it was a setup.
I debate texting Reggie. I met him on the strip one night in a streak of luck. He is only fifteen. He’d been hustling people with card tricks. We started talking, and the next thing I knew I was in the back of some club on a promise that he could get me a fake ID. I was skeptical, and I took a big risk going there with him, but it worked out. He’d delivered.
His brother Micky could get you anything, but he didn’t give off the sweet, goofy vibes the way Reggie did. It didn’t take long for me to put together Reggie didn’t really need to be hustling cards on the strip. His brother has money, but it isn’t about that for Reggie. He likes the thrill of hustling and does it to get out for the night. He stays at the edges of that shiftier side of Vegas, but the kid knows everything.
I fire off a quick text, asking him about Knight.
Reggie
Stay away from his casino.
It’s a little late for that. It would have been good to know last week.
Reggie
My brother was asking about you yesterday.
Why didn’t you tell me yesterday?
Shit, I do not want to go see his brother. I met him twice: when I asked about getting the ID and when I picked it up. He made me uneasy both times.
Reggie
Was going to wait to see if he asked again.
Good call.
Reggie
But now you are asking me about Knight so…
Are your brother and Knight connected?
Reggie
This is Vegas. Knight is connected to everyone if he wants to be.
I crawl out of bed and peek out the window. The sun is now long gone. Nothing stands out, but I bet if Knight had someone watching me, they’d be pros. Knowing I can’t sit around all night, I drag myself to the bathroom to get myself all dolled up.
This is the worst part of counting cards. Well, besides the thought of getting caught and ending up in a back room being tortured. I should quit. I started doing this to help us earn money. Mel now has that under control. I just have no clue what else I could do. Mel is always chirping in my ear about college.
Thank God she never saw the scholarships I got offered after I’d taken my SATs. She would have put me on a plane to one of the universities. That path just never felt like it was the one I was supposed to take, so I kept the scholarships hidden.
I take a quick shower before I pop my contacts in to do my hair and makeup. It takes almost an hour to get ready. I’m not the best at makeup, so it takes me way longer than it should. I call for a ride as I get dressed. Not wanting my sister or dad to see me, I slide open my window and slip out. Mel will give me an interrogation if she sees me dressed up.
The clothes might be a pain in the ass, but when I put them on, I do feel like I change into someone else. I’m no longer the dorky girl who sits in the back of the classroom to go unnoticed. I can be whoever I want. It makes me feel powerful and in control of my own life for once.
“Where to?” the driver asks when I slip into the back of the car.
“Old Vegas.” It’s best I stay off the strip tonight. I send a text to my sister letting her know I’ll be out for the night. She’s been quiet, but Mel tends to get lost in her work, not realizing a week has gone by. I know she’s under a deadline.
Reggie
You not going to tell me what’s up?
I don’t want to lie to the kid, but I also don’t want anyone knowing the trouble I may have stepped into.
Reggie
Where are you at tonight?
I stare at the text. It’s not a question Reggie has ever asked me before.
Laying low.
“Right here is good,” I tell the driver.
Over the next couple of hours, I slip in and out of the small casinos, trying to find a good stop to settle in, but everything feels wrong tonight. I’m not sure if I’m being paranoid or not, but the sensation of eyes watching me never leaves. No matter how much I get lost in the crowd and dip into one spot after another, I can’t shake it.