I spent the next few days sweating bullets. Was Desi going to tell Arsenio that I had spilled his secret? Or worse, was he going to participate in Arsenio’s event just to spite me? I needed to do something, or he would get hurt—bad.
I had seen the losers of Arsenio’s games. Our vampire blood could only heal so much.
The day before Desi’s day off, I finally accepted that I couldn’t change anything. What was going to happen would happen. At the time clock, the only place Desi spoke to me anymore, things changed.
“I haven’t told him. What you told me.” He looked at me and shrugged. I blinked.
“Why not?”
“It’s not my business.”
“And you’re still going tomorrow night?”
He nodded. “I am.”
“Did you find out what happens there?”
“I want to be surprised.”
“He’s going to want you to play,” I warned. “Don’t let him goad you. He will.”
Desi shifted, shoving his hands in his pockets. From seeing him pull out the cards a dozen times, I knew that he was holding onto his tarot deck. It was his tick. My words were finally getting to him.
Good.
We swiped our timecards, and he fled the building. I held back, and only when I saw his car leave did I pull out my phone.
“Jeremy? I know it’s early, but I’m looking for someone to cover my entire shift tonight.” I rushed out the moment he answered.
“You realize what time it is?” He groaned. I probably woke him up.
“I know, but it’s important,” I emphasized.
There was a pause while he debated my request.
“Fine. You owe me. That’s a sixteen-hour shift.”
“I’ll do whatever.”
“I’m not covering for you for at least a month. Start showing up on time.”
“Deal. Look, I’ve got to go. Thanks again.” I hung up and began planning.
I struggled to sleep during the day, eventually getting up after five hours. I showered and dressed for the event. I had to dress to impress.
The night would be attended by men and women looking every bit of the price they paid to get into the event. While there were plenty of women, only the men played.
I went to my closet and began looking for something to wear. Finally, I plucked out a tight, black cocktail dress. The straps were thin, and it had a mermaid skirt. I grabbed my fishnets, black fingerless gloves, and a pair of black stilettos. I would fit right in.
My nerves were amuck as I did my makeup. I freshened up the red in my hair and waited until nightfall.
A valet helped me out of my car when I pulled up to Arsenio’s home. My car looked almost shameful compared to the others in line.
This was the only time he hired staff. Arsenio preferred his privacy. Which, given his secret identity as a Seven Sin, was understandable.
“Oh, Scout. I didn’t know you were coming,” the valet said. I forced a smile. It took everything in me to act natural and not shake as I stood and started toward the house.
Not surprisingly, as the valet had most certainly texted him, Arsenio was at the door, waiting for me. His arms were crossed, his eyes dark, but a smile played on his face. “I didn’t know you were coming.” His arms widened to embrace me. Men and women dressed in suits and pretty dresses moved past us as we hugged.
