Under the gun

She was a vampire of cards and dice. My addiction. She was my mistress. I was her master. I knew all of her tricks. The alleys in which she slept. Her moods. The Insanity in her smile. She was my partner of laughter and lies. 23 years. Top of her game. It's just math and fools. Dragging souls into stacks. High and full of white, red, and green. She and I. Queens of the hustle. 9 seats to choose my crown. When I would sleep she was silent. A hooker after a long binge. She counted my chips like sheep. She told me I was her everything. She would never leave me. She never has. She never will. She is my curse. I drag her with me through grocery stores. Always pouting. Needing. Pulling. Poking at my shoulder. Pleading for me to take her back to the card houses. I refuse. She goes for the kill everyday. Everyday I hold aces against her throat. Diamond daggers: Remind her sternly I am the master of my fate.