Read Online The Gambler by Lois Greiman - Free Book Online Page B

girl's mien. There was nothing like her frightened expression to improve his mood.
    "Let me go," she whispered, trying to pull away.
    "We already discussed that, Mary Beth," he said, grabbing her arm with his second hand as well. "And it ain't gonna happen."
    "Let me go!" she repeated, louder now. There was panic in her tone and terror in her eyes. But Raven's groin throbbed painfully at the remembrance of her deceit, and he tightened his grip on her.
    "We've got to talk."
    "The lady says to let her go."
    "Back off!" Raven snapped. Momentarily forgetting the wisdom of his patience, he turned to the side.
    The first fist hit him like an oak battering ram to the belly. Raven doubled over, cursing his luck, grizzly men, and bountiful bosoms.
    "Come on, lady," said grizzly number one, reaching for Charm's arm. "We'll see y' safely to yer room."
    "The devil you will!" said Raven. Gritting his teeth against the roiling pain in his stomach, he launched his bent and wavering form toward the three mountains of human flesh.
    He would never be certain whom he hit first, or who hit him. Fists were everywhere, flying like wildly flung mallets as men grunted and cursed and threw about miscellaneous body parts. But the battle was too close for accuracy. Grizzly number one swung, but Raven, sober and wary, ducked. The brawny fist landed dead center in grizzly number two's eyes.
    There was a howl of rage and agony. Suddenly the two men were tussling like bears upon the floor, grappling, thumping, and cursing.
    "Damn you!" exploded the third man. Bent on vindicating his friends' wounds, he swung his meaty fist. Raven ducked again, but the knuckles exploded in multicolored lights against his temple.
    The shock of force rocked Raven back on his heels, but from the corner of his eye he saw Charm flee the room. He pivoted, lunging after her, but with a roar the third man was upon him, nabbing him about the waist so that they crashed to the floor like falling trees.
    Raven tried to scramble out of reach, but the other held on. Twisting about, Raven slammed a knee into his opponent's jaw.
    There was a click of teeth, a grunt of pain, and a momentary chance to flee. Raven grasped it with desperate speed and struggled to his feet. The bear man rose, too, staggering yet undefeated.
    "Charm!" Raven yelled, but again the man charged. His impetus was failing, however, and when he tackled, he grasped nothing but a leg. "Charm!" Raven screamed again, dragging the grizzly behind, but suddenly he felt teeth chomp hard against his calf, and his yell turned to a bellow of pain.
    From outside Charm heard the yelps of agony, but she dared not stop. "'He leadeth me to green pastures!'" she quoted and sped away.
    A thud, a roar, and then staggering footsteps followed her. She could hear them coming, thundering past the sun-bleached tents that lined the street! Trees towered just ahead, huge and dark and concealing. She raced toward them, praying for cover.
    Just before she passed the last tent, Raven caught her, dragging her to the ground in a flurry of petticoats and red satin. She screamed, kicking wildly and fighting to break free.
    "Hey, what's going on there?" someone yelled. The voice distracted Raven for a moment. She kicked again, causing his grip to loosen for an instant. Squirming, she almost broke free before he encircled her waist and dragged her back down again.
    "There he is! Get 'im!" someone shouted.
    Charm felt Raven stiffen against her body as he twisted about to look behind.
    "Damn it!" he swore. In a moment he was up, dragging her along behind him. She fought frantically, planting her feet and trying to pull from his grip, but suddenly he bent. His shoulder hit her abdomen with enough force to punch the air from her lungs. Turning with a stagger and a lurch, he loped toward the forest at a wavering gait.
    It was darker in the woods, though dusk was still some hours away. Trees surrounded them, towering far into the sky. Fallen pine needles