“Oh, I wouldn’t worry about my pocketbook,” Maddock counters, rising to the challenge as expected. “Yours will run dry long before mine does.”
I risk another glance in the direction of the bar, only to find Aiden looking back this time, and my face must not be nearly as neutral as I thought because his brow furrows.Shit.I’m playing this whole thing worse than I ever have and the stakes could not be any higher than they are right now.
Except, apparently they can be.
Clayton shrugs, tilting his head from side to side in thought before pulling a fresh cigar out of his coat. “How about property? You got something you can stand to lose?”
I can’t do this now. I haven’t explained things to Aiden. I’d been counting on the ride tonight, on our time in the alley to try. He won’t know. And, if I start playing to win and end up having to run, I don’t know if I’ll be able to turn around.
I might not be able to get back to him. Again.
“Pretty sure you’re the only one here with property nearby,” Maddock is saying to Clayton, tone dismissive. “Not all of us are sofamiliarin this town.”
Clayton chuckles, not remotely concerned about Maddock hinting that he’s unhappy with him calling for the sheriff the night before. Although, to my right, I feel Arty tense, and I do what I hope is a very inconspicuous shake of my head. Only one of us needs to be giving themselves away tonight.
“You have cattle, don’t you?” Clayton raises. “A significant number not far outside town from what I hear. Wager a few head.”
Maddock’s jaw clenches, and I suspect he couldn’t bet them even if he wanted to. They don’t belong to him. Not really. Not until his family decides to pass the reins or die. And from what I’ve seen so far, I’m inclined to believe it’ll probably be the latter.
“What would you even want with cattle?” Maddock asks, laughing, but there’s no humor to it. “You even know how to make a living doing something other than digging in the dirt?”
“Likely better than you do,” Clayton says easily, still calmlycounting his winnings while also coming to the same conclusion I did. “You know how to make a living doing something other than what your mama says?”
One of Maddock’s men snorts out a laugh, then promptly regrets it as the clear fury on Maddock’s face from Clayton’s perfectly aimed insult changes targets.
“Sorry, boss,” he says, eyes wide. “Wasn’t laughin’ at you. Was just—was only—”
“No limits,” Maddock agrees, stopping the man’s rambling before looking back at Clayton. “And we can wager horses. When your money runs out.”
Horses.Immediately, I remember what Aiden said last night, about his deal with Maddock, that he’d get that horse he won’t name at the end of the week. That he was counting on it so he could cut himself loose from the group, because as of right now, the poor animal still belongs to Maddock. And based on the looks of the other men at the table, I’m certain he’s not the only one in that predicament, though I’m surprised by the one who actually speaks up.
“Boss,” Arty says, so near to a whisper that I’m amazed I can hear him, let alone anyone else. “We need them horses, don’t we? To work the cattle?”
“What we need is for you to keep yourgoddamnmouthshut,” Maddock snaps, jamming a finger in Arty’s direction. “You hear me?”
“Yes, sir. I was only thinkin’—”
“Don’t,” Maddock says, voice cold. “Do us all a favor anddon’tthink.” He rounds back to Clayton. “We’re agreed?”
Clayton frowns, gaze flicking between Arty and Maddock with an increasingly determined set to his expression. “Agreed.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see him then glance to me, waiting, expectant, but I’m already staring at Aiden. At the way his frown deepens before his eyes drop to the table in front ofme, to where my fingers are tapping against the surface.Tap. Tap. Tap.
I force myself to stop and reply, “Agreed.”
“Not me,” Charley says, already getting to his feet. “I’m too old for this foolishness. And so is my horse.” He puts his hat on, giving Clayton and me each a pat on the shoulder as he walks by, even lingering to give Arty one, too. “I’d tell all you boys that you ought to go to bed, but I know you won’t listen. So I’ll only say that I’ll be seeing you. Hopefully.”
Maddock rolls his eyes, not letting him get more than a few paces away before he points at each of his men and says, “You’re all playing.”
Each of them, except Arty—who is still staring at his lap—blink at him in confusion. “But, boss,” starts the same one who had laughed before. “We don’t—”
“I’m not asking,” Maddock barks, then to the dealer says, “Deal ‘em in.”
I don’t have to play to win. I can still lose. After all these years, I’ve become really good at losing until the time is right. And I can continue to do so, no matter how much it’ll cost me to stay at this table all night. If it will simply buy me time, it will be worth it.
It doesn’t have to be me that teaches Maddock a lesson. I can let it be Clayton. I don’t mind Maddock’s money going to him. I can be at peace with that. Don’t mind the horses going to him either…
Well, except one.