“Be careful, Kassie. Hunter’s been through a lot. You could hurt him pretty bad.”
She turned her head to the side and looked out the window. “I know.”
They had to wait another forty-five minutes for Channie and Hunter to arrive, but it was worth the wait. Even bundled up in her lopsided, multi-colored knit hat and down parka, Channie took his breath away as she bounded off the bus and flew into his arms. He picked her up and swung her around in a circle then set her feet back on the ground and kissed her. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Mrs. Abrim.”
“Happy Valentine’s Day, husband of mine.”
Hunter said, “Get a room!” then laughed at his own joke. Josh hoped the idiot hadn’t ruined the surprise.
When they got to the Omni, Kassie let out a squeal of delight and attacked Hunter without even bothering to take off her seat belt.
Channie’s eyes widened as her lips parted. So tempting. He leaned across the console and kissed her. It took quite a bit of self-control to keep from devouring her mouth, but he wanted everything to be perfect and he knew how much Channie enjoyed slow, tender kisses.
She put her hand over his heart and ended the kiss, but the sparkle in her eyes promised so much more. “What are we doing here?”
He pressed his forehead against hers and said, “We are going to spend the entire day in bed.” He glanced into the rearview mirror and rolled his eyes. “Now who needs to get a room?”
Josh dropped Channie and Hunter off one block from home then pulled into the empty lot on the other side of Heritage Park to wait until Channie’s bedroom light went out. Hunter had already texted him, to let him know all was well, but Josh always slept better, seeing it for himself — even if it was sort of stalker-ish.
He was still glowing when he walked through the front door. Literally. It was a good thing no one but mages could see heart-bonds or energy fields because his lit up the entire first floor. Dad was in his office, waiting up for him. He said, “You sure look happy. How’s Kassie?”
It took quite a bit of effort for Josh to replace his grin with what he hoped was a look of concerned compassion. “It was a tough day. I’m glad I could be there for her.”
Now that he thought about it, Kassie and Hunter had both been silent on the way home. He’d been so consumed by his own bliss, it would’ve blocked any emotions emanating from the back seat. He barely remembered dropping everyone off. Hunter had walked Kassie to her front door, but something was weird between them … had he even kissed her goodnight?
AMBITION
THE NEXT MORNING, CHANNIE WOKE up with a start. Daddy was gripping her shoulders so hard it hurt. She grabbed her heart afraid her bond was glowing or that Daddy had somehow learned what she’d been up to.
“Get up, Channie. I need your help.”
“With what?”
“There’s a huge poker tournament in two days and your momma is so dang wrapped up in her book, she can’t focus on nothing else. I you need to take her place.”
“I don’t know how to cheat at cards.”
“That’s why we need to get on back to the casino as soon as possible. Now get dressed and meet me in the car. Don’t worry about packing a bag. I’ll buy you some clothes when we get there.”
Channie did as she was told, but she made a slight detour into the family room to wake Hunter and tell him what was going on so he could tell Josh. Her heart sank to her stomach as she wondered how long it would be before she saw him again.
Daddy explained his system to Channie as he drove to Blackhawk. She focused on his words to distract herself from the pain of her stretching bond. This was the furthest she’d been from Josh since their binding ceremony.
Daddy said, “The main thing you gotta do is look calm the whole time. But you can’t hold your feelings in. I need to read your energy field so I’ll know what kind of hand you got. It’s tricky.”
“You don’t use any signals, like tugging your ear or—”
“Hell no. That’ll git us throwed out and banned from all the casinos. Just play the game and read my energy.”
“What do you need me for? Why can’t you just read everybody’s energy.”
“That only works on amateurs. The pros know how to stay calm no matter what kind of hand they got. Their energy never shifts. This tournament is gonna draw poker pros from all over the country. The buy in is five hundred dollars with a guaranteed prize pool of half a million. I figure we got about a seventy percent chance to win the whole shebang.”
“What if I’m no good at it?”
“You cain’t be no worse than that dang Feenie kid.”
“I’m not old enough to gamble. They aren’t gonna let me in.”
“Sure they are.” He handed her a driver’s license, but it was a stranger’s name and face on the plastic card, not hers.”
“This isn’t going to fool anyone. Why didn’t you get me a real one, like Hunter’s?
“There ain’t time for it. Besides, I’ll be right there with you and use a little magic to persuade the bouncers to let you in.”
When they arrived at the Ameristar Hotel, the main floor casino hadn’t opened yet. Channie heaved a sigh of relief, but bit back a groan of frustration when Daddy leaned on the marble counter in the lobby and asked if there were any openings for two at a private poker table.
“There’s always a spot for you Mr. Belks. Perhaps you’d like to freshen up a bit while I make a call. Management upgraded your room to a complimentary suite.”
Daddy said, “That’s right kind of ‘em, but I’d like to get started as soon as possible.” He leaned sideways towards Channie and said, “The more I lose, the friendlier they get.”
Daddy must have lost a lot of money. Everyone treated them like royalty. They were so vulnerable to his magic, no one even asked to see Channie’s identification.
A man in a black suit met them when they got off the elevator and led them to the end of the hall. He used a plastic key card, just like the one Josh had used at the Omni Hotel. The double doors swung open, revealing a huge room crammed full of round tables. There must have been at least a hundred people in there, but it was as quiet as a church. Everyone focused on their cards. A few people in uniforms milled around silently removing empty glasses, replacing them with a variety of colorful drinks. Most of the gamblers ignored them. Four burly men in dark suits scanned the room, obviously keeping an eye on things — probably looking for cheaters.
Channie wiped her palms on her jeans and shivered. She knew how to play Texas Hold ‘Em and Five Card Stud but she was no poker expert.
Daddy put a hand on her shoulder and said, “This is just practice. I don’t expect to win today. Just relax and enjoy yourself.”
Yeah, right. Daddy always expected to win.
Channie lost track of time. She also lost a considerable amount of Daddy’s money. He didn’t seem too perturbed about it and just kept buying more chips. By the time the sun rose the next day, Channie could barely keep her eyes open. She no longer cared what kind of hand she had. Or so she thought. When she looked at her hand and saw three kings and two aces, she barely managed to keep her face neutral. A spike of excitement shot out of her energy field like a sun flare.
Daddy’s lip twitched the tiniest bit as his energy responded to hers. The movement was so subtle no one else noticed.
Daddy kept upping the ante until everyone but Channie folded. Then he let her take the pot. They played three more hands, losing half of what they’d just won before Daddy excused them from the game. He bowed out graciously, congratulating the winner and shepherded Channie out of the room. She couldn’t wait to collapse into bed, but Daddy insisted on taking her to breakfast first.
After filling their bellies with pancakes and coffee at the complimentary Centennial Buffet, Daddy took her shopping. He said it’d be harder to get her into the big tournament if she didn’t get all gussied up first. He even bought her makeup and let the sales lady teach her how to use it. She would have en
joyed it a lot more if she weren’t exhausted, but she had to admit, it was fun. Daddy finally relented and gave Channie a key to their room. He said, “I’m gonna go play a couple more hands while you take a nap. Be ready to go by nine o’clock. And be sure to wear your hair up. You look a lot older with it piled on top of your head.”
It was almost noon, so that would give her a good eight hours of sleep. Channie sighed and nodded. “Is it okay if I call Hunter from the room?”
Daddy grinned. “How’s it going with you two? I hear you been on a couple of dates.”
Channie’s spine stiffened. She’d assumed Diego had been reporting to Daddy, but she had no idea what he might have told him. “We’re taking things slow.”
“Good. But don’t take things too slow. You don’t want the boy to lose interest before you can bind him. You ain’t getting any younger.”
“I’m sixteen!”
“And he’s seventeen. He ain’t gonna wait forever.”
“Daddy, no one gets married that young out here.” Channie was surprised how easy it was to lie to Daddy. But if he had any idea that she’d married Josh, he’d kill both of them.
“Hunter’s one of us. He knows the rules. None of that shacking up or living in sin. Y’all need to start thinking about your future.”
“Right now, I need to think about getting some sleep so I don’t pass out during the tournament.”
“That’s my girl.” Daddy patted her back. “You’re a natural gambler.”
“Thanks.” Channie’s stomach sank. What had she been thinking? She needed to prove she had no aptitude for gambling or Daddy was going to make this a permanent arrangement. She’d never see Josh again. Once the tournament started, she’d be sure to let her emotions show on her face.
Channie called Hunter as soon as she got to the room. He was at work so of course his phone went straight to voice mail. “Hunter, it’s me, Channie. Tell Josh to call me at this number no later than eight-thirty tonight.” She didn’t want Daddy to be there when he called.
She didn’t have to wait long. The phone rang five minutes after noon, but it was Hunter, not Josh. “What’s going on? Are you okay? Where’s your daddy?”
“I’m supposed to be taking a nap. I’m fine. And Daddy’s gambling. Did you give Josh my message?”
“I wanted to be sure you were safe first.”
Channie sighed. “I’m just really tired, Daddy kept me up all night gambling. Have you seen Josh today?”
“Did you win? Your daddy can get downright mean when he loses.”
“Hunter, focus. Where’s Josh?”
There was a loud sigh then, “He’s eating lunch with Kassie.”
“Well, get off your butt and go tell him to call me.”
“I’d rather wait till after school.”
Hunter wasn’t supposed to fraternize with the students. It was a ridiculous rule but one he refused to break. “You don’t have to hang out with them just give him the message. Now!”
“Okay, okay. Don’t get your drawers in a bind.”
Hunter hung up on her. Josh called five minutes later.
“Hey, babe, are you okay?”
Channie could hear the worry in Josh’s voice. She closed her eyes and pictured him, the little crease between his eyebrows, the slight narrowing of his eyes, the downward curve of his mouth … “I’m fine. I just miss you.”
“I miss you too. How long are you going to be gone?”
“I don’t know. I’ve already proven that I can do exactly what Daddy wants.”
“You’re good at poker?”
“Good enough. But mainly, I’m good at maintaining a poker face while letting my energy field broadcast my feelings.”
“Oh.”
“I just sort of got into it and forgot about the consequences.”
“It’s okay, babe.”
“No. It’s not. I knew it was cheating, but … I enjoyed it. It was such a rush when I won.”
“Do you think you’re getting addicted?”
“Not yet, but I can see how it happens. I won’t win anymore, at least not on purpose. Once Daddy figures out that I’m not reliable, hopefully he’ll give up on his plan to make me his permanent partner.”
Three quiet raps on the door and Daddy’s muffled voice startled Channie. “Hey, baby girl, you decent? I’m coming in.”
Channie gasped and said, “I gotta go. Daddy’s here.”
Josh said, “I love you, call me when you can.”
Channie hated to hang up without saying, I love you, too. But the click of the lock stopped her heart. She waited until Daddy opened the door and said, “Bye, Hunter. I hope to see you soon.”
Daddy frowned and said, “I thought you’d be asleep by now.”
“And I thought you’d be gambling.”
“I decided it was more important to get rested up for the tournament.”
Daddy woke Channie at seven o’clock and told her to get ready. He’d already shaved, showered and dressed.
“Wow, Daddy. Don’t you look nice.”
He grinned and slicked his hair back. “Thanks, baby girl. How long you think it’ll take you to get ready? I’m pretty near starved half to death.”
“Go on and get something to eat.” Channie’s stomach was already churning. Daddy was going to be furious once they bombed out of the tournament. “I’m so nervous I can barely swallow.”
Daddy frowned and puckered his lips. “That ain’t good. You need to calm down before the tournament starts.”
“I’m trying.” Channie let her true feelings light up her energy field and etch worry lines across her brow.
Daddy swore, then sat down on the edge of her bed. “If I cast a be-calm spell on you it’ll make it harder to read your energy, but I’ll do it if you think you can’t settle down on your own.”
Channie licked her lips then took a deep breath and said, “I’ll take a hot bath. That should help. Bring me back a sandwich or something from the restaurant.”
“Alright. I’ll be back in an hour.”
“Be sure you knock loud enough for me to hear you before coming in.” The jetted bathtub was in the corner of the room, with breathtaking views of the mountains. But no privacy.
“You be sure you’re ready by eight.”
Channie had just gotten in the tub when the lock clicked. Daddy must have forgotten something. Channie grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her. “Don’t come in! I’m naked.”
The foreign energy of three mages filled the room as the door swung open. They were all shielded and bristling with energy — ready for battle. Two men in their mid to late twenties and a girl that couldn’t be more than fifteen years old strode into the room. One of the men closed and dead-bolted the door. Why hadn’t she done that? Damn.
The men ogled Channie and filled the room with lust. The girl curled her lip and rolled her eyes then pointed at Channie’s clothes laid out on the bed. “Get dressed.”
Loathing suppressed Channie’s fear and overcame her shock. “Who are you?”
The girl ignored Channie and turned toward the men. “Pull your drooling tongues back inside your mouths and wait in the hall.” Her accent was southern, but cultured.
The older of the two men said, “With all due respect, miss, we aren’t supposed to let you out of our sight.”
The girl blasted both men with a combination no-speak-stinging spell that had them writhing on the floor within seconds.
Channie cringed. Either this girl was older than she looked or she was going to be an incredibly powerful mage when she reached adulthood.
The girl arched an eyebrow at Channie. “I see you know what I am.”
Crap. She should have pretended to be surprised.
The girl kicked the man closest to her in the back and said, “Do as you’re told. This Empty is no threat to me.”
Channie thought of the gun she’d hidden on the top shelf of her closet back home with longing. Without it or magic, she was no threat to anyon
e, but she wasn’t going down without a fight. She also wasn’t going to fight naked, so as soon as the men crawled into the hall, she said, “Do you mind if put on something else? That dress is for a special occasion.” It was also tightly fitted and would make fighting or running difficult if not impossible.
“Whatever. Just get dressed.”
The girl waited for Channie to finish zipping her jeans then opened the door. The two men slid back inside, running their gazes over Channie as if she were still naked. Scumbag trackers.
The girl folded her arms across her chest and said, “Where’s Money Kerns?”
“You have the wrong room. There’s no one here by that name.”
“Fine. We’ll wait.” The girl perched on the edge of the chair by the fireplace, back straight, chin up, then ruined the illusion of superiority by playing with a lock of her hair. She twisted it into rope and wrapped it around her forefinger, then let go and did it again … over and over.
Channie said, “Who are you and why are you here?”
The girl blinked then arched her eyebrows. “Did you see what I did to my companions?”
“If you wanted to hurt me, you would have already done so.”
The girl rolled her eyes then looked at her phone. She tapped at it with her thumbs, texting someone, then looked up and said, “Money’s wife is a powerful mage. Who are you? His mistress?”
Channie stifled a shudder and put on her best poker face, muffling her emotions. “Who’s Money?”
Daddy knocked on the door. “You decent baby girl?”
The young mage smiled. “So, you’re a daughter. A daughter with no magic. How sad.” She curled her lip again and whispered, “I guess the rumors of how powerful your mother’s clan is are just that … rumors. Unless you’re a bastard child from some fling with an Empty.”
“Daddy, Run!”
The girl hit Channie with a no-speak spell just as Daddy burst into the room with his shield already in place. He knocked out both trackers — one with a curse, the other with an uppercut to the jaw — but didn’t do anything to the girl except stare at her with his eyes bugging out of his head.
Believe: The Complete Channie Series Page 52