Page 86 of Carnal Wagers

I looked down at Alice’s sleeping form. I rubbed at the building ache over my heart.

“Bar. I’ll be on my way in thirty.”

I sat on the bed and slid my fingers through her hair splayed across my pillow. I had to let her go for now, but I’d keep an eye on her. Any other man who touched her, I would guillotine their fingers one by one. She was mine, whether she realized it or not. I imagined my cock inside her, my seed buried deep, as she writhed around me, lost in the throes of pleasure. I dreamed of etching her scent under my skin, with her lips tattooed across my neck.

The moment I got rid of the killing bitch, Alice was coming right back where she belonged: in my life and in my bed. This was just a temporary setback.

We had a lead now. It was only a matter of time until we knew exactly where and who LK was. I just had to deal with the cartel bullshit first.

I dialed my baby brother.

“Liam, I need a favor.”

“It’s too fucking early. Why’s everyone calling?” He groaned. “I was hoping Smiles butt-dialed me.”

I pulled on a pair of pants. “Cartel hit one of our businesses.”

“Oh. Well, shit. Anyone hurt?”

“No.” Smiles would have stated otherwise. “Intimidation tactics, my bet.”

He yawned. “You need me there?”

“I want you here.”

“Where’s here?”

“My place.”

“You need to give me more than that.”

I scraped my upper lip with my teeth. “I have someone here, and I—”

“Sorry, wait, what? I think I’m still half asleep. What did you say? Didn’t quite hear you.”

“Don’t act the goat.”

“You have someone in your apartment? Now? You? At this hour?”

“That’s what I fucking said.”

“Are we talking about a man or a woman?”

“Just get your bleeding arse here.”

“A woman, then.” He whistled. “Twice in two days? You suddenly that sick of your hand?”

“Liam,” I growled.

“What? You’re always lecturing me. In this case, I might not be the next one causing trouble.”

“I need you to be here when she wakes up.”

“Just kick her out. What do you need me for? Unless…this the same woman you spoke of? The one you assigned Shiner’s team to?” My silence said plenty. “Jaysus. After what happened to the stripper? You doing this on purpose, that it? To draw LK out?”

I sighed with exasperation.

“Fine. Keep your secrets, but this woman better be made of gold to get me up this early.”