Page 16 of Bought By Torch

“Yeah. Okay,” he agrees. “We can try our luck in that casino. It’s the most famous one in Vegas.”

I should end things now. The words are sitting on the edge of my tongue:It’s over, Caleb. I don’t want to be with you anymore. It’s not you, it’s me. I’m done giving you money. I’m done watching the food spray out of your mouth as you talk to me. I’m done faking my orgasms and pretending like you’re good in bed. I’m just done.

I want to pack my bags and go home now.

But right as I’m about to say the words, my dad’s text comes in.

Dad:Heard that meathead you’re dating lost a hefty amount of money at the poker table last night. I hope you’re not funding his entertainment with my money. You could do so much better, Evian. You’re a Hemsworth, after all. It’s time for you to smarten up.

I need to smarten up? He’s the one dating sluts who are merely interested in being trophy wives. I’ve been through enough of his divorces to know exactly what the women are after. And it’s not my dad’s business acumen or his charm.

Me:You could too, Dad. Where did you find this one? At a strip club?

That Portia girl looks like she’s straight out of a whore house. You couldn’t convince me that she’s not after his money. And she thinks that the way to his wallet is through sex. They all do. But it seems to work every time.

Dad:I’m just having a bit of fun, daughter. You, on the other hand, have chosen to move in with the guy. You should be concerned with your own affairs and not mine.

And yet, he’s the one sticking his nose into my business and criticizing my choice in boyfriends. I think I should stick around and stick my nose in his business a little longer.

I close out my phone, not bothering to respond.

“Sounds good!” I tell Caleb. “Let’s go try all the casinos.” We can go spend my dad’s every dime so there’s none left for his whore.

11

Torch

She’s still avoiding me. Still acting like we didn’t have a connection last night.

But I’m not buying it for one second.

There’s a reason she’s keeping her distance, and tonight, I’m going to get down to the bottom of it.

“So, are we all set?” I ask Roller.

“Yeah, we’re good. I’ll make sure his ass stays in that seat all night.”

Caleb’s about to hit a lucky streak. I don’t care how much money I have to pay to keep him locked down at the poker table, I just need him out of my way so I can claim my girl.

“Thanks, brother. I owe you one.” I give him a fist bump, ready to go collect my girl for our date.

“Nah. This one’s on the house. Still owe your ass for taking out that Crusader who had me pinned to the wall. My life is still flashing before my eyes.”

Those fuckers thought they could cruise into our territory and take what we’ve built. But they learned the hard way that we are never going to relinquish our power. We took out their Prez, their Enforcer, and their VP, then watched the rest of the soldiers race out of town like their asses were caught on fire. Now, we have to deal with the damn mobsters moving in. They’re a different breed of problems.

“Alright.” I shake his hand. “I’m heading out. I’ll text you when we’re on our way back.”

Then if all goes to plan, she’ll be in my bed tonight and Caleb will be on the first plane out of here in the morning.

“Sounds good. Can’t wait to meet this girl and see why she’s worth all the trouble.”

There’s a laundry list of reasons why she’s worth the trouble. Her smile. Her kindness. Her laugh. That innocence that feels like a breath of fresh air to the chaos that is my life. Her humbleness in spite of being one of the wealthiest girls in the world. And I can’t forget the way those nipples peaked this afternoon, and the way she soaked her bikini bottoms.

I head out of the casino, meandering my way through the crowd, heading down to the restaurant. The place is packed tonight. As it is every other night. I’m looking forward to getting away from the noise for a few hours and getting to talk to Evie. My father and his old war buddies did most of the talking last night. Tonight, I want to learn everything there is to know about my pretty girl.

“Torch,” Deuce greets me as I approach their table. Evie was having dinner with her dad tonight. But by the looks of her full plate, it’s like she didn’t even eat. “Do you have plans with our guests tonight?”

Her shoulders tense as soon as I approach her side. What the fuck did I do to get her to recoil from me?