Hell Fire (Wild Fire: 2) (FINISHED)

37 - WHAT? A BILLION?

Ember hopped off Max's motorcycle as he killed the engine, staring up at him as he tossed his hair off his face and gazed over at her.

When he held out his hand, she gazed up at him, confused.

"I need to make sure someone doesn't take you again," he told her.

After staring for a moment, Ember gave in and gently set her palm on his, her face heating at the warmth of his touch.

This hadn't happened often... Why was she so physically reactive today?

His scent caught her off guard... now his touch?

Max then pulled her inside, and she stumbled a little as she followed.

"We'll be quick," he told her, heading for the frozen desert aisle.

Ember stared as Max opened and closed doors of the freezers, clearly searching for her favorite kind, and she watched him as he found her favorite and pulled it out.

"You know everything about me," she realized.

He gazed up at her, eyes glowing in amusement. "It's been two months; you haven't realized it yet?"

She shrugged, and he closed the freezer door, grabbed some bagels from a center aisle, as well as cream cheese, and pulled her to the self-checkout.

"What happened to stealing?" she questioned.

"The workers here get treated like crap and get paid little," he responded. "I'm not heartless."

She just watched as he paid.

"How much money do you have?" she quizzed.

He gave her an amused look. "Why?"

"You can afford everything," she responded. "Townhomes, motels, hotels, groceries, new phones, clothes... but I... never see you at a job."

He stood fully up and slipped his card back into his wallet, chuckling low as the checkout device printed his receipt.

"Ember," he stated then, facing away, "do you remember what I told you a while ago?"

"What?" she said.

"Two months ago," he told her, "you asked a similar question, did you not?"

She paused. "I mean... I guess. But back then you worked at Mack's Grill or something."

He turned, crossing his arms over his chest. "You think I can afford all this with a busboy job?"

She stared for a moment. "Uh... no, not really. That's why I'm asking."

"When I responded to that question two months ago," he stated, brows raising, "what did I say?"

She blinked. "Uh...."

"You don't remember?"

She shook her head.

"I told you," he responded, smirking now, "I gamble."

Her mouth opened to respond, but all words were lost.

"I've earned lots of money from gambling," he explained, the smile widening. "Do you remember how I win?"

"Poker, you can read minds," she stated, remembering now, "Black Jack, you count the cards, and Pool you can use telekinesis to move the ball in the hole."

"Right," he responded, catching her hand and guiding her out from the store.

"That's still cheating," she stated.

"I, frankly, do not care."

Of course, he didn't.

"How do you gamble now?" she questioned, feeling the wind gust as the doors to outside automatically opened. "You're always with me."

He turned to look at her, something evil in his eyes. "I gamble a lot of money at once, Ember. I've been doing this since you were ten years old. It builds up, you know. It's not like I have to go every day."

She sputtered her lips, wondering if she dared to ask her new question. "How much have you won?"

His eyes darkened with mischief. "About two billion."

She nearly screamed. "WHAT?"

He didn't look phased at her reaction. "I said two billion."

"In seven years?" she stated.

He nodded as they got to the motorcycle.

Ember opened her mouth for another response but then dropped it.

Max chuckled as he swung onto his bike, and she followed, staring at him fully now in shock.

"Dude..." she stated, "why do you steal so much then?"

"I only steal when necessary," he told her.

She stammered for a moment. "I-I-When the hell is it necessary?"

"The guy we stole the car from?" Max said. "He beats his wife. The pawn shops I steal our clothes from? They're a chain that pays their workers below minimum wage due to tips, so I just tip them. The guy I stole this bike from?" Max twisted the handle and the engine rumbled. "He hurts his little sister."

Ember stared as she held her arms around him, processing this information as Max sped down the street and back to their hotel.

It took the whole ride for his words to settle, and she found herself following him as they got back into their room.