Chapter 6

Myra

“Better.” I lowered the weapon, and he was on me like a lightning strike maneuvering the weapon out of my grasp.

“You shouldn’t play like that. It is dangerous. You know, Mira, I saw that glint in your eyes just now. It reminded me of something I read in the news today. You know what happened to that preacher and his lover already, don’t you?”

One of my lips lifted in a semi-smile. “Why, Mira? I am sorry for losing myself, but I want to know why you reject me. Have you met someone?”

I rolled my eyes. “Do you feel guilty?” I humped a shoulder.

“Is it Leon?” He pressed genuinely. I took a sharp inhale knowing as soon as I’d done it I had given it away.

Ander’s eyes widened before he burst into laughter. He laughed until he clutched his stomach as if I had told him the greatest joke on the planet.

Sobering he admonished, “Mira, seriously? You must get over those foolish notions and fantasies. Leon is a man. He wants a woman, one who knows herself, her purpose, and how to please him. If you’re holding out on true sex just because you want Leon to be your first, then you are delusional. Grow up, Mira, Leon will never view you that way.”

I pushed off the counter not caring to remind him of the plan to wait a couple more minutes before following me and strode to the door. I would not tolerate Ander’s opinion on Leon even if his words had stung.

I flung open the door not minding who might get a glimpse of Ander and know what could have transpired in that restroom.

In my haste to make a speedy exit, I did not look where I was going and slammed straight into what felt like a door made of solid wood. I gathered my bearings only to look up into the face of Fran.

He had a slight glare on his face as his eyes toggled between Ander and me. I could only imagine what it might look like to him. I was panting and Ander’s shirt was unbuttoned about a quarter of the way down revealing the sheen of sweat on his chest.

Undesirous to explain myself to a cross Fran, I shot him a warning look and pushed by him eager to be in the presence of the hustle and bustle of The Siren and, of course, Leon.

I made my way upstairs returning to Leon’s side. I sat in the high stool next to his listening to the husky strain of a lovely singer below.

Having grown up going to the opera with Leon I had an appreciation for the arts, but my heart was especially tethered to music. I loved music in almost every form, but especially the human voice. Opera in a casino might seem a bit unorthodox, but it fits right in with the theme of this one.

The casino’s given name was “Old Dream of Florence.” It boasted baroque-style decoration, chandeliers, oil paintings, and exquisite collections hanging on the walls of each hall, full of the atmosphere of old Italian aristocrats.

It was even dubbed The Siren because of its many hosted operatic performances.

“Do you know who that is?” Leon asked me.

I tilted my head listening to the voice. Gazing back into his eyes, I nibbled on my bottom lip asking for his approval with my eyes widened in feigned innocence. “Is it Madame Butterfly?”

His full lips lifted in pleasure briefly. He held a glass of high-quality sherry in his hand. I ogled the glass. “May I have some?”

“Drink it.” He handed me the glass. It burned, but I wanted to make him proud, so I downed it all.

I felt it go to my head immediately, and I shifted in my seat to maintain my balance, but I didn’t want to let on to its effects, so I just giggled as I set the glass on a passing waiter’s tray.

“Come on. Let’s go play.” Leon tugged me from the stool with little effort since I was already a bit off balance.

We found a table quickly since everyone wanted to accommodate Leon. I held the card in my hand trying not to drop them seeing double just a little.

If I learned nothing else that night, I could say that I learned I was a lightweight. It’s not like I was prone to throwing up; it was just that I was already drunk.

Although I visited the gambling den often without my stepfather’s knowledge, I refrained from drinking of any sort for fear that I would get drunk, lose control of myself, and ultimately lead Leon to find out about me and my involvement with the mafia. About thirty minutes of play passed and I lost.

I had played every card game there was and others too amassing a tiny fortune for myself, but I didn’t want Leon to know that.

I giggled and batted my lashes at Leon before sticking out my lip and faking a pout. “I guess I’m no good at gambling then.”

Leon slid back in his seat and touched my wrist briefly. "That's okay. You didn't do too poorly for the first time. With a little guidance from Fran, you will be able to learn and step into your position as leader of this place"

He muttered it slowly into my ear so that no one else could hear what he said.

I nodded trying to make sense of the words but couldn't. His words didn't have the effect I would have enjoyed had I been able to hear them in sincerity, but I had nursed another glass of sherry during the game and couldn't focus.

"Still I will always lose I fear, dad." I hiccupped. Picking up to gold chips, Leon put his fingers to my palm placing them there, "Just don't lose if you gamble on your life."

The immediate zing that went through my body stirred me, but did not sober me. Deep down in my heart, I felt a strong desire for his reassuring touch to heal all my weaknesses. It would be so comforting if he could always be by my side, his presence a steady source of strength and protection. Will he still have my back if I lose?

In fact, it worsened the state of drunkenness I was swiftly falling into. The feeling swelled and spread through my body like wildfire.

A mild sweat broke out all over my body causing my shirt to stick to my body. I had already begun the gamble with my life, and if it didn’t end like I wanted it to, it would most assuredly end with a bullet in my temple for betraying Leon.

As much as I knew that he did not want me in the same way I wanted him I had no desire to be dead, and I most definitely did not want to die a miserable death after punishment fit for a “rat”.

“Ander, have the car brought around. And ride home with Gills. Where I am going you are not needed.” That was the last thing I heard before everything went dark.