Chapter 22

The smile he wore didn’t look like it should belong to someone who’d threaten a thirteen-year-old girl. With a beard and red coat, he could’ve been Santa Claus.

A sudden thought filled Levi with dread.

Seb wouldn’t have made up the threat just to keep Levi from joining up with them, would he?

As soon as it popped up, he hated himself for thinking it. Seb hadn’t questioned his methods or plans when he’d said he was coming out to the carnival. He hadn’t even tried to stop him or remind him of the threat.

“Have a seat, Mr. Beckerman.” Bertie gestured to the chair across from him. Seb beat Otto to pulling it out for Levi, leaving his hand on the railed back as Levi settled in place. “I hear you’re quite the sharp.”

Levi shook his head. “I don’t cheat at anything. I just know a few card tricks.”

Bertie added a wink to his indulgent smile. “Of course, you don’t. It’s all about the entertainment, am I right? Bringing a smile to someone’s otherwise dismal day.”