“What’s wrong?” I say, quick as I can, as soon as he’s in earshot and away from the table.
“Ah, nothing.” Pan swipes the air. “Just couldn’t talk him into staying around. But there’ll be more.” He sips his cocktail, the onyx ring on his pinky flashing, and smiles. “We’re doing good though, right?” He glances down at my books, not that he can really see them upside down.
“Yeah,” I say. “Very.”
It’s hard to know exactly what the pot’s going to end up or how people are going to win, but the buy-in’s higher than usual, which means the rake’s higher than usual too.
“Most excellent,” Pan says, enunciating extra clearly. He sips his drink again, lifts his eyebrows. “You know what? I am going to sit on a hand or two.” He grins, drumming his fingers on the edge of my desk. “Sample my own product, you know?”
“Is that a good idea?” I say. I know it’s not. It’s obviously not. But I can’t say that outright or it’ll just make him want to do it more. I try to make it into a joke. “Don’t they say something about getting high on your own supply?”
“That’s different,” Pan says. “Come on, lighten up. The night is young and we’re making money.”
Still, I hesitate.
“Has anyone said anything?” I ask, my voice even lower.
“Huh?” Pan rips his gaze away from the table. “Gimme five hundred in chips,” he says, wiggling his fingers.
I do, counting them out for him in the different colored denominations, but I hover just before putting them in his hand. “Have they?” I say.
“About what? Oh,” he says, and reaches up to take the chips away from me. “You know what? I haven’t gotten around toasking but…” He points directly in my face. “Sitting in for a hand. Perfect time to strike up the convo, don’t you think?”
“I…” I begin.No, I think not really, but…
But it’s too late. Pan swipes the chips, saunters over to the empty seat, and settles in. I watch the dealer deal him in. Watch Ruby come over and plunk down another drink. And watch Pan make some crack that gets a few laughs out of the regulars.
“Going good?”
I almost jump at the voice, but it’s just Fox. “Oh, uh… Yeah, no, great night so far,” I say, distracted.
“No, I meant your uh…” He hooks his thumbs in his belt loops and rocks on his heels, nodding at my arm. “What’d you end up getting?”
“Oh,” I say. Somehow in the middle of everything else, I’d already forgotten I have a new tattoo. “Uh, it’s a design Wendy did, kind of,” I say. “Kit redrew it, but…” I rotate my arm a little so he can see.
Fox lifts his eyebrows and pulls down the corners of his mouth, surveying and approving. “Not bad,” he says. “I mean, not that I’d think any less of my brother, but… you never know.” He catches my eyes. “It looks good on you.”
“Thanks,” I say, my face getting hot for no particular reason. “She really seemed to want to give it to me,” I add, feeling like I need more explanation so.
“Hey, uh…” Someone behind Fox, asking for attention.
“Oh, sorry.” Fox jumps back into bouncer mode. “You uh, here to play?” He inclines his head a little at the newcomer, who nods.
“Yeah.”
Fox steps aside and I get a good look at him. And as soon as I do, my neck stiffens.
I know him. I don’t know who he is, but I know him. I’ve seen him. I’ve seen him there. The casino, betting big. The same blackhair buzzed short because he’s balding. The same sunglasses on, indoors. The same brown leather jacket that’s probably designer, and I’m sure he wears just so everyone knows he can afford it. The same thin silver chain around his neck.
And when he smiles, the same gold tooth.
I know him. I’vetalkedto him even. I?—
I have to put my hands in my lap to keep them from shaking as he pulls out a billfold.
“I buy in with you?” he says.
“Uh, yeah.” I keep my eyes glued on the books.
