Crispin nced over at Calliope. "Damien''s gonna stick with you, right?"


    Portia nodded. "Aren''t youing with us, bro?"


    "I''ve got someone to meet. Got a few things to sort out," Crispin replied, giving Portia''s hair a yful ruffle. "You just hang out with Callie and have fun, okay? Callie, I''m counting on you to keep an eye on her. I''ll Venmo you guys some money don''t go too wild."


    He trusted Calliope to keep things under control, so he didn''t say much more.


    As he finished speaking, he pulled out his phone and transferred Calliope a cool hundred grand.


    "That gonna be enough?" he asked, eyebrows raised. "As long as you''re not betting like you''re in a Martin Scorsese movie, that shouldst a while."


    "If you need more, just tell me."


    Calliope grinned. "Crispin, that''s more than enough. You''re spoiling us."


    "Don''t be so polite, Callie," Crispin replied with augh. "Portia''s my kid sister, but you''re family too. Same goes for Mavis."


    "You''re the best, Crispin," Calliope said, shaking her head with a smile. "Alright, I won''t argue. If I win big, I''ll pay you back. If I lose it all... well, that''s on you."


    Crispin chuckled. "Deal. I''ll be waiting for my windfall!"


    He knew the odds of actually winning at the casino were pretty slim.


    He didn''t give them too much on purpose-just enough so they wouldn''t get in over their heads.


    He shot Damien a meaningful look.


    Then he said, "Damien, can I count on you to keep an eye on these two? If anythinges up, let me know."


    "Don''t worry," Damien nodded.


    He caught Crispin''s drift. If the girls started


    6 lose control at the tablet


    he was supposed to step


    andi


    he couldn''t, call for backup.


    Damien didn''t mind. He was kind of on duty anyway.


    Besides, he had plenty of respect for Calliope she was smart, experienced, and more than capable of holding her own.


    After giving Crispin an assuring nod, Damien led Calliope and Portia off toward the casino floor.


    As they walked, Portia couldn''t help grumbling, "I can''t believe my own brother trusts you more than me!"


    "Totally unfair. I''m his real sister-shouldn''t he trust me at least a little?"


    Calliopeughed. "He''s probably just worried you''ll get carried away. Wants me to keep an eye out, that''s all."


    "Still not cool. But if it''s you, I guess I can let it slide."


    Portia huffed, "Honestly, you''re way


    better at this than I am. If he''d


    handed the cash to anyon


    have made a scene."


    Ise


    Calliope nodded. "Don''t worry, your brother gave us plenty. We might even make a profit."


    "Right? You''re always lucky at these things. We''re totally gonna win."<fn2dc9> Chapters first released on fin?novel</fn2dc9>


    Portia muttered, “It''s just me who''s got rotten luck. If I start losing, you''ve gotta bail me out, okay?"


    "No problem," Calliope said, grinning. "Knock yourself out—I just need you to save me ten grand to y."


    "Well, then I''m going all in!"


    “Go for it. Just promise me―stick to your brother''s money. Don''t dip into your


    own."


    Calliope had seen enough gamblers lose it all trying to chase their losses. Even Portia, who wasn''t exactly a gambling addict, could get swept up in the moment with the lights and the noise.


    "Deal,” Portia said, bouncing on her heels, ready for a wild night.