The Gambler Read online

  Everyone knew the story of Andros's love for his little sister. Rumor was, the once easy going young heir had gone overnight from a peace loving sort, into a force to be reckoned with. The only one he was even remotely friendly with was his grandfather, who seemed to be the only one able to rein the young man in when he went into one of his moods.

  If he didn't miss his guess, this Jenna Petridis was like Andros's sister, and the other kids he was always spending so much time with down at the special home he'd had built for special needs kids. The place was built for kids whose families either couldn't, or didn't want to take responsibility for their care. Part of the facility was actually set up for parents and kids, who were down on their luck. The man was fanatical about that place and those kids.

  The maître' d hurried away after whatever Garrett had whispered in his ear. Andros could care less, as long as somebody produced a chocolate bar in the next five minutes.

  A young blonde girl came towards their table, and approached Jenna with something in her hand; Andros snatched her hand roughly away, causing her to cry out in fear.

  "Sir, they said you wanted chocolate." He eased up his hold as she opened her hand to show him the candy bar there.

  "Angel play nice?"

  He turned to his little Jenna, as he released the young woman's hand.

  "Sorry little Jenna."

  He took the candy and laid it on the table in front of her.

  "Name?" He turned to the girl who was hovering, her eyes on Jenna as if trying to figure out just what was wrong with the beautiful young girl, because it was obvious that something wasn't quite right.

  "Oh sorry, Tori sir."

  "Where'd you get the chocolate Tori?"

  "Oh Carl said you wanted some and I always carry some in my bag."

  She was a little wary of the extremely handsome, but very scary man. When he reached into his pocket she almost made a run for it, but he just unfolded a couple hundred-dollar bills and passed them to her.

  "Oh no sir, I couldn't, that's way too much and besides, I wasn't expecting to get paid."

  "Kindness has no price, take it and tell whoever's in charge that this table is yours."

  He dismissed her with a look and turned his attention back to his little Jenna, who seemed preoccupied with the candy wrapper.

  "Angel help." She held it up to him and he couldn't resist kissing her fingers as he took it from her hands and unwrapped it for her.

  Chapter 3

  Though the three men weren't hungry, they sat patiently, while Jenna played with her spaghetti Bolognese. Andros had known when he ordered it, that she might spend as much time playing with the strings of pasta on her fork, as she did actually eating it; but for him, it was all about her joy.

  He didn't know anything about her existence up until tonight, how she'd lived. She'd obviously had care, because he didn't see any of the signs of overt abuse. But for him, as long as there was one element of danger, it negated everything else. There was no doubt in his mind that he will one day seek retribution. The little skirmish back at the casino had barely wet his appetite for vengeance, and that was before he'd known who she was, she was not to be touched...ever.

  He also knew that there was going to be trouble. His first thought was to stash her away somewhere, but then he convinced himself, that the safest place for her, is with him. He wasn't afraid of what the men who were going to come after him would do; he never feared such things. His only concern now was for her and what she needed.

  "Here little Jenna."

  He took his fork from his untouched plate of pasta and used it to fork some of her noodles.

  "Open."

  She obediently opened her mouth no wider than a baby bird's and he eased the fork past her lips. She chewed and nodded and tried to smile at him all at the same time.

  "Good?"

  He was pleasantly surprised when she gave him the thumbs up sign.

  They spent a good hour and a half at the table, before it was time to go. She latched onto his arm as if she'd been doing it forever when he helped her up from her seat. The more at ease she was with him, the more convinced he became, that she really was the one. It would take more time for him to work it through in his head, to put it all together, but he was starting to believe.

  Garrett and Jameson both had grown use to their boss's quirkiness. They had learned patience in the years they'd been with him, and so it was nothing for them to sit and wait. What was new though, was the way he seemed so at ease, it was a bit puzzling to say the least; who knew Andros had the relax gene?

  It was another few-hours drive to the estate in the Hudson Valley. He'd wanted this place for a lot of reasons, one in particular. But in the end he’d settled on it because it was backed by water, and the only entrance was down a long drive, flanked by high stonewalls.

  It had once belonged to some oil baron back in the eighteen hundreds, and was part of the historical society of America or some such shit. They'd tried to give him a hard time in procuring it, but he'd simply told the people in charge what he was willing to pay, which was a lot; when he was going to be there with the money, and when they needed to get the hell out of his place.

  He had no doubt that gramps had probably stepped in behind the scenes, because the old coot could never keep his nose out of his grandson's affairs; but he didn't care, as long as he got what he wanted in the end, which he did. In fact, they'd been the ones to speed things up; who knows what the old reprobate had told them to light the fire under them? He was fond of regaling unsuspecting people with tales of his grandson's temper. It always seemed to help them see the error of their ways.

  Jenna was asleep curled in his lap, his arms wrapped protectively around her, when they arrived. He climbed out of the car and stopped short. What the hell was he supposed to do with her? If she woke alone in a strange place, she might have a bad reaction, and though he knew there was no way to shield her from all life's thorns, he was damn sure going to shield her from as many of them as possible.

  Her entered the marble floored foyer where his man Stuart was still up and waiting. No matter how often he told the older man not to wait up for him, it went in one ear and out the other. He'd shown the man a kindness years ago, and had found himself with a butler for his troubles. A butler in this day and age, at least gramps got a kick out of it.

  "And what have you got there sir?"

  "She's mine, I'll see to her." He held her closer to his chest and out of the other man’s reach.

  "As you wish." He still followed after his employee nonetheless, in case his services were needed.

  "Willy, find your bed and stop hovering like an old woman."

  "If you're sure."

  "I'm sure, how was Simon tonight?"

  "Very fine sir, he ate his dinner without redecorating the kitchen walls, that's a step in the right direction."

  "We take the little blessings as they come Willy, never forget."

  "As you say sir."

  "Okay, now that you've sir-red me to death, go get some rest."

  The older man shuffled off in the direction of his rooms on the other side of the house, while Andros took his precious cargo down the hallway, in the direction of his rooms. He could put her in one of the guest rooms he supposed, but he wasn't sure about that.

  In the end he decided to give her his bed, while he sat in the high backed chair next to it, so she would see him as soon as she awakened.

  Kicking off his shoes and loosening his tie, before shedding his jacket, he prepared for a long night spent in the stiff chair, that made him question not for the first time, what the fuck the people of the last two centuries were thinking when they built uncomfortable shit like this. Still, it was the best, and his decorator had insisted it went with the house, what the hell did he know?

  He did no more than remove her shoes, and noticing the stains of chocolate that he'd somehow missed when he'd cleaned her up at the restaurant, went into the bathroom to wet a washcloth in order
to finish the job. She sighed and sunk deeper into the soft sheets of his custom made bed. Returning to his chair where he would keep vigil, he cleared his mind of everything; tomorrow will take care of itself, no sense in worrying about it now.

  He must've drifted off after all, because the next thing he heard was her calling for him in her innocent voice.

  "Angel?"

  His eyes flew open at the sound of her voice and he sat up, expecting her to be disoriented by her surroundings, but she was still asleep. She'd called his name and curled herself deeper under the covers he'd thrown over her.

  "Fuck." He wiped sleep from his eyes and checked his watch, almost six in the morning and he'd had barely three hours sleep. Oh well, it will have to do; he had shit to do today.

  He went into the bathroom, being sure to leave the door open in case she woke up, while he brushed his teeth and cleaned his face. Running a hand over his morning whiskers he decided to leave off shaving for another time.

  Since he had no idea what time she usually woke up and more importantly, what she liked to eat, he called downstairs to Willy, whom he was sure would be up and about. The other man never seemed to need much sleep.

  He whispered into the phone as he walked back into the room.

  "Yeah we're going to need a full Irish, can you get cook on it when she gets here?"

  "Will do, and how is our new charge this morning?"

  "I wouldn't know Willy, she's still asleep yet."

  "As you say sir, I shall see to preparations just the same."

  "Thank you Willy." He hung up the phone and went about getting out of the clothes he'd worn the night before. He'd not wanted to leave her long enough to change them last night, but he figured with the sun peeping through the windows it might not be as scary for her.

  Shit...her, he didn't have shit all in his place for a female.

  Picking up his phone he made another call, which was picked up on the first ring.

  "Sir?"

  "I need a complete wardrobe of female clothes in size..." He eye balled Jenna's form under the covers.

  "Two should be about right."

  "Sir?"

  "What the fuck Minnelli, didn't you hear me? I need a full wardrobe, everything from the skin out. Use the Bloomingdales account, I'll get her the better stuff myself later. I'm also going to need toiletries, the best they have on the market." Shit, he knew fuck all about women's shit. He was going to have to learn real soon though, because Jenna was going to be a permanent part of his life from now on. He would've preferred to talk to his mother about this shit, but Stella and Petros were in Europe sight seeing, or some silly shit. What was left for them to see was a mystery; they'd been taking one of these little trips, traipsing across Europe, since he was a young boy.

  "Sir is this for a child?"

  "What, no, why?"

  "Well you said size two and I thought, never mind; it would help if I knew something about the recipient so I could make my choices."

  "She's mine, you know me, go from there." He hung up the phone after that, sure that his orders would be carried out.

  That should take a few hours to accomplish. He still needed something for now though.

  Rummaging through his drawer of old college things, he found a washed out pair of jeans and an old t shirt, still too big, but it'll do for now.

  She awakened not long after, her eyes flying open as she took in her surroundings, until they landed on him. He held his breath, waiting to see what would happen next, will she remember him or...?

  "Angel." That fucking smile was going to be his undoing.

  "Good morning little Jenna."

  The smile became a full-blown grin as she lifted her arms from beneath the covers and held them up to him. Walking over to the bed, he sat next to her and accepted the hug; she felt soft and warm and he felt his heart open and let her in as she rested her head against his chest.

  Petridis and the Bonatas were so fucked.

  Chapter 4

  He set up her bath for her, making sure the water temperature was just right, as she smiled and flitted around the gigantic bathroom, getting into everything, and nattering away at him. Bath salts were opened and cast aside, until she found a scent she preferred; it was his favorite, sandalwood. She poured a heavy dose in the water and he told himself to remember to check if there was any danger in the amount used. For now, he decided to just watch and see if she had any sort of reaction to it.

  "Angel, bubbas."

  Bubbas, bubbas. "Bubbles?" She nodded her head with that smile that tugged at his heart every time. Where the fuck was he gonna get bubbles?

  "Get in the tub little Jenna, I'll go see about your bubbles.

  He ran down the stairs calling for Willy, who appeared like smoke at the bottom of the stairs.

  "I need bubble bath, now."

  "There's none on the premises that I know of, and the shops will be closed for at least another couple of hours sir." Was the man always so stoic? Shit, it was barely past six and already he was Mr. Reserved.

  "Shit, never mind." He pulled his phone and started calling around; Garrett was first on his list.

  "Does Kate use bubble bath?"

  "Does a bear shit in the woods? She's a female boss."

  "Yeah well, I need some like yesterday."

  "On it, be there in ten."

  He hung up the phone and hurried back up the stairs, should he have left her alone this long? Was she accustomed to taking care of herself? He didn't know shit. Alice had been an independent sort even as a kid, but he knew of many who weren't quite as proficient. When he got back to the room, he was brought up short by the sweet sound of her voice coming through the door. She was singing an old lullaby, something he hadn't heard in a long long time. It was as though someone had opened the stairway to heaven and given him a glimpse of something not seen by men.

  He held onto the doorjamb as his world turned on its axis, and let the sweet sound wash over and through him. If he'd harbored any doubts before, he no longer did. There was just too much going on too quickly for him to put it off as coincidence.

  He walked to the bathroom door, and with his ear pressed against it, listened to his heart, and understood, that his life was about to change in a big way.

  As promised, Garrett was downstairs ten minutes later, with a few bottles of scented bubble bath. Andros barely spared the other man a moment to say thanks, before he was running back up the stairs.

  "I'm coming in little Jenna okay?"

  She laughed and told him to come on in. He kept his eyes above her head as he approached her in the tub. Holding out each bottle, he gave her enough time to sniff them, before exchanging one for another. She finally settled on some strawberry girlish scent, and remembering the bath salts episode, he poured a liberal amount of the bubbles into the water he'd just warmed up a little.

  The place was soon filled with the scent of berries and sandalwood, a nice mix that pulled at the senses.

  "I'm right outside the door little Jenna."

  "Angel sit."

  She pointed to the chair in the corner of the room, directly across from the tub.

  Shit, I can't stay in here, how the fuck do I get out of this? She was fast proving to be a bossy little thing and somehow she just knew she could pull his strings. At least that's what he told himself as he reluctantly took his seat.

  She chattered away at him in her way, with short one or two word sentences; asking him about the things in the room, his hair, where they were, what they were doing that day? And each time he answered, even when she forgot and repeated the same question twice. She smiled wider each time he responded, as if he were giving her something special. It hurt his heart to think that she'd not always had that.

  When she'd been in the tub a good half an hour by his estimation, he thought it a good idea to get her out before she turned into a prune.

  "You done little Jenna? Do you want to get out?" She held her arms up to him, so innocent, so trusting. He m
ade a promise to himself, to her and to the memory of another innocent, that he would fucking end anyone who dared harm her again.

  Turning away he got one of his bath sheets that was sure to swallow her up it was so big. When he turned back she was standing in the tub, water glistening on her flesh and so fucking gorgeous. He closed his eyes against the onslaught, the blow to his senses.

  Fuck me, what now? She had no qualms about showing her body he knew, because she didn't see things the way others did. It was going to take him some time to get used to her innocence, to go slow.

  He swallowed the lump in his throat and made fast work of wrapping her up, before lifting her out of the tub. Before he could put her down, she rested her head on his shoulder, so he carried her in his arms, back to the bedroom.

  He helped her get dressed in his over sized clothes, which literally hung on her.

  First chance I get I'm taking her shopping.

  He looked down at the dress she'd discarded, not bad, but nowhere near what he wanted for her.

  "Angel, momma."

  Aah, he'd been wondering how long before that came up. He had no problem calling the Petridis residence, in fact, he'd had all intentions on calling to speak to her mother, to find out some of her likes and dislikes.

  "I'll get her for you baby." She clapped her hands and went back to fiddling with the edge of her shirt.

  He called the operator for assistance, but as soon as he said her family name, Jenna held out the bracelet she wore on her wrist.

  "Momma."

  He looked closely while the voice on the other end asked how they could help him. Sure enough, her name address and phone number were there on the inside of the bracelet. He kissed her hair and hung up without answering.