Disclaimer: Unfortunately, playing on Charlaine Harris' playground does not give me ownership rights. Rated M for language and lemons.

6. I'll Leave With Every Piece of You

My palms were sweating profusely. No one else was here so early. There wasn't really a reason to be this nervous. Eric and Pam trusted me to take inventory at Loki's so no one was due in for another hour. With most of the lights out, every shadow looked ominous and every echo sounded thunderous. I moved slowly behind the bar as if moving too quickly would guarantee me getting caught with my hand in the proverbial cookie jar.

My heart was pounding and I had to will my hands to stop shaking as I moved closer to the register. Even though I was expecting it, the pop of the cash drawer releasing surprised me. This was almost too easy. I'm going to get caught, I know it.

Damn it.

After this, I'll be a criminal. Whether I'd get caught or not, I'm a criminal. I don't even know how I got to this point. Online poker seemed so harmless. A diversion to help me wind down after work. In this economy, there isn't much of a demand for freelance computer programmers. Everyone and their mother seemed to have gotten licensed when the business was new. I had to get this job as bartender to stimulate my dwindling cash flow. I served drinks to get myself through college and the tips were usually good. I don't know where society is headed on this landslide but the more sullen and contemplative I seem, the more women seem to like me. It adds to the mystery, I've been told. But still, taking orders and listening to drunken whining from 5 o'clock until the bar closed at 2 am takes its toll.

I pulled $1,000 from the drawers and cursed Felipe de Castro for the ten thousandth time. I'd gotten quite proficient at online poker. Good enough to take the suggestion of a fellow player and find a local game. What I didn't know then was that the "friend" I'd met online used those forums to lure people to Felipe's live games. I won the first few rounds and, before I knew it, my wagers were growing and growing. Whenever I contemplated stopping there was a small voice in the back of my mind that told me the next bet could recoup all my losses.

It seemed like I blinked and I owed Felipe 35,000 dollars. I cleaned out my savings, sold my car, and still came up short. De Castro proved he was unwilling to negotiate when he sent his "bodyguards" Sigebert and Wybert to inform me the last $1000 I owe him was due by this Saturday, just two days from now. The Berts' presence was an implied threat. One man's thumb and forefinger could fit around my neck.

I hadn't closed the register drawer or pocketed the money yet when the door swung open and the rest of the lights flickered on. My whole body froze, even the breath in my lungs. I felt like a child who believes 'if I can't see you, you can't see me'. I heard the click of Pam's designer heels and the knowledge that I'd actually been caught seeped into my bones. It was strangely calming. I even found myself relieved that it hadn't been Eric who found me. Pam would rip my heart out relatively quickly whereas Eric would probably enjoy playing with it for a decade or two.

Pam could never be described as a friendly person. The look she gave me now, however, suggested an icicle wedged so far up her ass I could see it in her eyes.

"Well, well, well." If I didn't know better I'd say her voice was tinged with amusement. "Can I ask what you're doing, Bill?" I could tell she was waiting to see if I'd be stupid enough to answer. I put the money back and slowly pushed the drawer closed. Pam had her hand on her light pink Blackberry before I was done.

"Luna, my darling," she practically purred into the receiver. "I have a present for you here at Loki's. Bring your handcuffs."

Not even ten minutes later, two police officers showed up. The male, who introduced himself as Officer Hudson, I didn't recognize but I've seen Officer Luna Garza here making eyes at Pam many times.

Pam handed over a copy of the security feed I should have been aware we had and a few sleazy innuendoes later I found myself in the back of a squad car.

First, the obligatory PSA: Gambling addiction can be a serious problem. www . gamblersanonymous . org might help.

So that was suuuper short and a bitty bit of a left turn in the plot (I'm sure at least some of you are scratching your heads over WTF it has to do with anything)… but it does serve a purpose. Pinkie swear!