He smiled. “You can’t lose, Pidge.”
America shook her head. “Blackjack’s not her game.”
Travis nodded. “I won a little. I’m up six hundred. You can have it.”
Shepley handed me his chips. “I only made three. It’s yours.”
I sighed. “Thanks, guys, but I’m still short five grand.”
I looked at my watch again and then looked up to see Jesse approaching. “How did you do?” he asked, smiling.
“I’m five K short, Jess. I need more time.”
“I’ve done all I can, Abby.”
I nodded, knowing I had already asked too much. “Thanks for letting me stay.”
“Maybe I can get my dad to talk to Benny for you?”
“It’s Mick’s mess. I’m going to ask him for an extension.”
Jesse shook his head. “You know that’s not going to happen, Cookie, no matter how much you come up with. If it’s less than what he owes, Benny’s going to send someone. You stay as far away from him as you can.”
I felt my eyes burn. “I have to try.”
Jesse took a step forward, leaning in to keep his voice low. “Get on a plane, Abby. You hear me?”
“I hear you,” I snapped.
Jesse sighed, and his eyes grew heavy with sympathy. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed my hair. “I’m sorry. If it wasn’t my job at stake, you know I’d try to figure something out.”
I nodded, pulling away from him. “I know. You did what you could.”
He lifted my chin with his finger. “I’ll see you tomorrow at five.” He bent down to kiss the corner of my mouth and then walked past me without another word.
I glanced to America, who watched Travis. I didn’t dare meet his eyes; I couldn’t imagine what angry expression was on his face.
“What’s at five?” Travis said, his voice dripping with subdued anger.
“She agreed to dinner if Jesse would let her stay. She didn’t have a choice, Trav,” America said. I could tell by the cautious tone of her voice that Travis was beyond angry.
I peered up at him, and he glowered at me with the same betrayed expression Mick had on his face the night he realized I’d taken his luck.
“You had a choice.”
“Have you ever dealt with the Mob, Travis? I’m sorry if your feelings are hurt, but a free meal with an old friend isn’t a high price to pay to keep Mick alive.”
I could see that Travis wanted to lash out at me, but there was nothing he could say.
“C’mon you guys, we have to find Benny,” America said, pulling me by the arm.
Travis and Shepley followed behind in silence as we walked down the Strip to Benny’s building. The traffic—both cars and people on the thoroughfare—were just beginning to concentrate. With each step, I felt a sick, hollow feeling in my stomach, my mind racing to think of a compelling argument to make Benny see reason. By the time we knocked on the large green door I had seen so many times before, I had come up as short as my bankroll.
It wasn’t a surprise to see the enormous doorman—black, frightening, and as wide as he was tall—but I was stunned to see Benny standing beside him.
“Benny,” I breathed.
“My, my … you’re not Lucky Thirteen anymore, now, are ya? Mick didn’t tell me what a looker you’ve grown into. I’ve been waiting for you, Cookie. I hear you have a payment for me.”