Page 11 of The Killer Card

“I quit.” I roll my eyes at Rowan’s annoyed grumble in my ear, turning away to make two cosmos.

“No, you don’t,” Elias tells him with a sigh. I spot him on the other side of the bar, trying to help Gigi while Juan washes glasses as fast as his hands can fumble. Only Elias would get his hands dirty in a club he owns.

Rowan huffs out, “Yes, I do. I fucking quit.”

Starting a tab for the cosmos I remind him, “You can’t quit, amigo. If you do, who’s going to make sure we actually do our jobs?”

“Maybe your boss?” The bouncer growls into my ear. “Or the fact that you’re nearly forty?”

“See,” I hand the one woman remaining her card with a smile and she leaves with a wink. “I need that kind of encouragement in my life. Without you, we’ll fall into utter debauchery.” I fill my tumbler with ice, giving it a sharp shake. “And we’d all hate that wouldn’t we?”

Our boss snorts. “I mean—”

“Don’t encourage him, Eli!”

Elias and I share a smirk as I pour another drink, start another tab, take another order. On the other end of the earpiece Rowan insists we all wear, the bouncer handles what sounds like a rather demanding patron. Not that they aren’t all rather demanding. The youths of South Florida have become unbearable lately.

“Hastings?” He pauses. “You’re the girl who blew up our phones this week?” I freeze mid-shake, glancing back at Elias who throws back his head with a groan. “We nearly blocked you.”

“Aye Dios!” Grabbing my collar, I bring the mic close to my lips. “Is this the girl who wouldn’t stop calling?! Coño, por Dios, Rowan, please don’t let her in!” I am so not in the mood to deal with this prima donna tonight. She was intolerable! I swear, every fucking time the phone rings now I flinch.

I can’t hear what she says to him. But I do hear his sigh before he mutters, “Go on then.”

“Nooo!”

Fuck my life! Why does he hate me so much? Mamagüevo! I’m going to piss in his fucking Cheerios. I’m going to go to his house, piss in his cereal and then I’m going to kidnap his dogs. Both of them. Hold them for ransom and reparations.

“Watch your step, Rubia,” he says into the mic. “Wouldn’t want you to break that pretty neck.”

I whistle, pouring a glass of wine- thank God, my arm is getting tired- “Damn, that was smooth as peanut butter, amigo. She hot?”

Elias chuckles. “Of course she’s hot. I watched Rowan let a girl eat absolute shit the other day. He’d only rescue her if she were hot.”

“Would you both shut the fuck up?” Rowan snaps, a little breathlessly, a little growly, definitely- completely- turned on. He hates that I can tell, so I don’t mention it.

For now.

Instead, I crane my neck to try and get a better view of the entrance. My jaw fucking drops. Not at the blonde who he obviously had to catch- she looks like a baby giraffe in those stilettos- and not at her raven-haired haughty friend sashaying my way. No, it’s the woman tall as an Amazonian warrior that makes me blink until my eyes are dry. Her hair falls down her back In dozens of thick braids, her dress falling like liquid gold over her curves. It’s bright under the lights, glittering against the deep brown of her skin.

“Holy fucking shit,” I manage on a breath. “Is that her?! Did you see her friend?! Goddamn, those legs!”

“You’re a pig.”

No, but for real? Did I die? Is this it? Did a fucking angel just walk into El Rincón? God, I hope she isn’t an angel, and if she is let her be one of the fallen.

“Dibs on the ebony queen,” I mutter in Spanish as they get closer.

“It’s a twenty-first birthday, you fucking moron.”

“And?” I ask, earning another snort from Elias. “They’re legal, no? And she’s going to get dicked down by someone in the club tonight, why shouldn’t it be me?”

“Señor, dame fuerza,” Elias laughs.

Who needs strength when you have perfect teeth and ten out of ten game? Bracing my hands on the bar, I turn the charm all the way up, giving them each a smile but unable to stop my gaze from lingering on the goddess to the right. “Evening, señoritas, I heard it was someone’s birthday? What can I get you? First one’s on the house.”

“Excuse me?” Elias asks in my ear. I ignore him, letting my eyes linger a little too long on the tall one’s hips.

She steps forward, snapping her fingers to drag my attention back to her face. She has the most dazzling blue eyes, only made brighter by the contrast against her skin. “It’s my best friend’s birthday.” Her hand lands on the middle girl’s shoulder. “And you’re going to take good care of her tonight. I mean all the best liquor, top shelf shit, understood? Otherwise, you’ll have to deal with me, and I don’t think your balls could handle these heels.”