“That’s doesn’t sound like you, Prez.” Fender clears his throat.
“Yeah, well, when it comes to my dad, I don’t exactly act like myself.” I take a look around. My stack of chips is significantly smaller than everyone else’s. My head isn’t in this game. Usually by now, I’d be kicking all their asses. When your father is a big-time card shark, you learn a few things. He didn’t get the nickname Gambit for nothing. The man knows how to hustle a table, and he made sure his son did, too.
At the moment, I’m not hustling shit. I’m losing my shirt to a bunch of amateurs.
I’m transparent to the six men seated around me — Hunter “Hawkeye” Stevenson, Trevor “Bone” Youse, Damon “Breaker” — as in “Heartbreaker” — Davis, Levi “Fender” Michelson, Quinn “Vet” Johnson, and Hayden “Tempest” Jones.
We’ve all been friends for far too long, and they know me all too well. They were there when my father walked away. They helped me pick up the pieces when I fell apart, took the brunt of my anger when I couldn’t handle my emotions, and rode beside me until I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer. They’re so much more than just friends. They’re family — the only family I have left.
“Your father aside, you know I can I track her down like this.” Hawk snaps his fingers. “Just say the word, Prez.”
“Not interested. My decision is made.”
A painful knot forms in my stomach from my response.
I hate myself for feeling this way. But fuck that girl, fuck her family, fuck her problems, and fuck my father.
Even if I wanted to help her, my pride won’t allow it. The grudge is too big, the blood is too bad. Getting involved with her is asking for all kinds of trouble. Breaking down doors that should stay locked. Ripping open old wounds that have been soldered closed.
My father was my hero. My best friend. And he abandoned me.
Broke me.
I can’t forgive him. I won’t. Even if my conscience is eating me alive.
Kira needs my help. I saw the desperation in her eyes. But she’s too close to all my pain. All my resentment.
Getting caught up with her would be like slitting my wrists open and watching all my pain ooze out.
Nope. Forget that shit.
“Full house.” Big Red slams his cards down obnoxiously. “I. Win.” He leans over and rakes up the hefty pile of red, white, and blue chips while several of the others groan. That’s his third win tonight. Cocksucker.
“I’m out.” I slap my cards down. My heart just isn’t in it. A stiff drink and some wet pussy is more up my alley. Less brain power needed.
I saunter out of the back room of the bar, all eyes on me as I walk up to Popeye, our resident bartender. I think he’s as old as the damn building. He knew my grandfather and was one of the founding members of the club.
“What’ll it be, Prez?” he croaks, sizing me up with his one good eye. The other is concealed under a patch.
“Wild Turkey straight up, old man.”
He nods and reaches for the bottle. Watching him as he pours a hefty glass of my favorite bourbon, I feel the burn already. I take a large swig once he hands me the drink, and all the shitty parts of the day wash away with a river of alcohol. In no time, I’m surrounded by my brothers and several club whores in short leather skirts and low-cut shirts. None of them as remotely pretty or enticing as my Snow.
I choke a little bit on the bourbon from the erroneous thought.MySnow? What the fuck? This bitch needs to get out of my head.Now.
One head nod at the redhead rubbing up against me, and she knows exactly what I want. I drain the last of my drink and head toward the back room of the bar. It’s empty now, and even if it wasn’t, I’d kick everyone the fuck out. My bar, my rules.
I push the redhead to her knees and lean against the door.Thisis what I need. My fucking mind blown.
She unbuttons my jeans and sets my cock free. It’s a little limp, but it’s nothing a little tongue action can’t fix.
She goes to town, jerking me off while sucking my rapidly growing erection.
Perfect.
I drop my head back and let her have me, thrusting into her hot mouth as she works me over.
“That’s it, baby, swallow me. Swallow me fucking whole.” I grip her hair and close my eyes, but as soon as I do, an angelic face and pleading eyes shine in the darkness. I shiver, snapping out of my lust-filled haze. The redhead stops.
