Chapter 296: Whatever You Say

Anthony runs to the registration table to cancel his bet. Avery tries to watch, but a group of Clifford bodyguards starts to close in around her. She wonders if Andrew is willing to start a fight to keep her from becoming a chip.

Anthony comes back, and the bodyguards part of letting him into the circle. He's sweatier than before, and he continues to dab at his face with his handkerchief. He looks down at his shoes in shame and embarrassment.

"They won't let me cancel the bet," he says. "If I refuse to play, they'll take the chip from me. The best I can do is play and hope I win."

"That doesn't make any sense," Avery hisses. "That's completely unfair."

Andrew strokes her back and says, "Don't worry, Avery. Jackson and I have a pretty good relationship. I'll go talk to him and get this sorted out."

Andrew nods, and two bodyguards follow him. The others close in tighter around Avery. She watches Andrew climb up the stairs to the balcony. Out of the corner of her eye, she sees a flash of red and turns to see Jessica staring at her. Jessica smiles nastily, and Avery turns away.

Andrew, Jackson, and Evan stand together on the balcony, engaged in a heated discussion. Each man is shadowed by two armed bodyguards, and they all radiate power. She shivers. If they got into a real fight, no one would leave the boat alive. Avery watches them argue, wishing she could read lips.

It doesn't really make sense, she thinks. Why would Jackson invite Evan on the first voyage of his new ship? Even with the truce, they hate each other. He must have some secret reason—I wonder if it's related to this twisted game?

She watches as Andrew shakes his head and walks away from the men. He joins her in the circle of bodyguards and wraps his arms around her. She can feel the heat of his body, but he doesn't seem especially angry.

"I'm sorry, Jackson won't change his mind," he says. 

Avery's heart skips a beat, and she turns to face her father. There's no way Andrew would be so calm if Dad put my name down, she thinks. That can only mean one thing. Her stomach twists sickeningly.

"Dad, whose name did you put down?" she asks.

"You know who," Anthony says. "I had no choice—they wouldn't let me put your name down in case your husband wanted to use you instead."

"Where is she?" Avery asks. "Where's Gabrielle?"

"In our room," Anthony says, looking down at his feet. "Mr. Oliver has already sent someone to get her. Apparently, all of the chips have to be present in person for the games."

Avery looks up at the balcony and glares at Jackson's back. As if he can feel her eyes on him, he turns around and looks down. He smiles and winks, and she feels her heart stop. Getting Gabby must have been his plan all along, she thinks.

Andrew seems to have the same idea, and he says, "This is really unusual. Jackson doesn't usually go to such lengths for a woman. I'm surprised he set this whole game up just to get his hands on the Snake Charmer."

"Shut up," Avery snaps. "And don't call my sister that disgusting nickname."

"Whatever you say," Andrew says with a slow wink.

Avery closes her eyes and tries to take a deep breath. She needs a clear head if she wants to make a plan, but the noise in the casino makes it impossible to concentrate. Andrew taps her shoulder, and she opens her eyes, ready to yell at him, but he's pointing to a small crowd by the casino entrance.

The family members being used by chips are surrounded by a group of Jackson's bodyguards. Most of them wear sour expressions, and more than a few women are sobbing. Among them, she sees Gabrielle. Gabrielle looks tired as if she's just woken up. Her hair is slightly tangled, and she blinks with sleepy confusion. Avery sprints past Andrew's bodyguards and rushes toward her sister.

"Avery," Gabrielle calls, her voice still thick with sleep.

"Gabrielle," Avery shouts.

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A strong hand closes around her wrist and pulls her backward. She turns and sees Andrew. She tugs her arm and tries to twist out of his grip, but he doesn't let go.

"You can't go over there," he says. "Unless you want my men to fight Jackson's."

Avery stops struggling and turns to look at the guards surrounding the chips. There are at least a dozen, and they're all heavily armed. Even if she did want a fight, it would be impossible to keep the chips from getting caught in the crossfire.

"Avery, where am I?" Gabrielle shouts. "I'm so confused. What's going on?"

Avery nods calmly at Andrew, and he releases her wrist. She forces herself to approach the bodyguards slowly. When she gets close, one of the men steps in front of her, blocking her way. She leans around him and looks at Gabrielle.

"We're in a casino," she explains. "Dad is gambling, you—he's using you like a chip."

Gabrielle looks around at the other chips, and understanding dawns on her face. Her eyes widen, and her mouth drops with horror.

"What happens if Dad loses?" she asks.

"If Dad loses, Jackson wins," Avery answers.

"I'm so confused, Avery," Gabrielle says, tears forming in her eyes. "I can't remember anything. I was sleeping, and then these men came and woke me up. I had no idea where I was. Why is Dad doing this to me?"

Avery's heart twists painfully in her chest. Did Dad drug Gabby? She wonders. How could he have stooped so low? Did Jackson somehow mastermind this whole thing just so he could win Gabrielle?

"It's okay," Gabrielle whispers. "Dad might win."

"Of course," Avery says. She wants to reassure her sister, but she knows that Jackson makes the rules here. If he wants to win Gabrielle, he'll do whatever it takes to make that happen. Their dad doesn't stand a chance. 

The first game begins, and the gamblers gather around a poker table. The family members they're using as chips stand behind them. Armed bodyguards surround the table to prevent anyone from escaping or cheating.

"As a reminder, the casino will take the chips of all losers," the dealer announces. "The winner will get property rights in the city. Any questions?"

Jessica squints down at the poker table and feels her blood go cold—Gabrielle is among the chips.

"That woman again?" Jessica hisses. "What the hell is she doing here? How did she get on board?"

"Her father is using her as a chip in your ex-fiancé's little game," James says. "But you're asking the wrong questions. If I were you, I wouldn't be so worried about her presence here. I'd be thinking about where she'll be when her father loses."

"I have to talk to Jackson," Jessica says. "This is ridiculous."

"The game isn't over yet," James says with a smirk. "Maybe her father will win."

He passes her a pair of binoculars, and she raises them to her face to better see the card game below.

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