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He had big arms, a solid physique, and his name was Grill. They had history. In fact, Sawyer had bloodied his nose when he’d gone after Dan one night on the main street of Lyntacky when he was a teenager. Grill had a long memory.
Sawyer wasn’t proud of who he’d been for a while. He’d made enemies while he’d battled demons after his father’s death, and none of them had left town, but punching Grill had never been a regret. The man was scum who mistreated women and had abandoned his kid.
“Back off, Grill. I don’t want fighting,” the woman behind the bar said.
“Step aside,” Sawyer said.
The biker leaned into his space which had his temper simmering.
“Get over here, Grill,” someone called.
With a last glare, the man left.
“Sorry about that, Sawyer. He was born mean,” the woman behind the bar said.
“No big deal, Janey,” Sawyer greeted her. He was used to people like Grill coming at him because of his size and what family he came from. He and his brothers might have made enemies, but now one of them was a deputy and their uncle the sheriff of Lyntacky. Both things got you noticed.
“I know you haven’t played in a while, but if you want in, they’re just starting a game.” Janey nodded to the door to her right.
He’d played poker here off and on. More off than on in the last few years. The little buzz of excitement Sawyer felt told him a game may be just what he needed.
“Go on through. Someone pulled out, so there’s a seat.” Nancy placed a beer before him.
Picking it up, he took a mouthful and headed to the door. Knocking, he waited. It opened, and Nancy’s husband, Joe, stood there.
“Been awhile. You want in?”
Sawyer nodded, slapped his hand, and entered. The only thing in the room was the table. Round with six seats. Five were occupied. Four men and a woman. He recognized two of the men from when he’d played before.
Pulling out the empty chair, he sat. The woman was across from him. She had a ball cap pulled low and long red hair. Her face was lowered as if she was looking at something in her lap, but he could make out the big dark glasses she wore.
“Well, hell if it isn’t Sawyer Duke. Haven’t seen you in a while,” Sledge said. He was a short guy with spiky black hair and a shiny gray suit that he thought made him look all business and actually made him look slimy.
Sawyer acknowledged him with a nod.
“Sawyer.” The other man he knew, looked like everyone’s favorite granddad. Checkered shirt stretched over his belly, gray hair, and always smiling.
“Tony,” he acknowledged him.
None of the others were familiar.
“Seven card stud,” Joe said.
Sawyer cashed chips and stacked them beside him. The woman didn’t have as many as the men. Something about her niggled, but he hadn’t seen her properly yet, since she was still looking down.
“Ready, Bird Dog?”
Her head came up, and she nodded, and Sawyer realized instantly why something niggled about her. He kept his expression clear and managed not to spit out his beer. No recognition showed on his face that he knew the woman in disguise across from him was Birdie McAllister.
What the fuck was she doing here?
Last night she’d been talking dirty on the phone to Murray. Today she’d been working at The Gnat and he knew she worked night shifts at the Roll Away. Did she have a gambling problem? It made sense, considering she was sitting across from him and would explain why she was working three jobs.
Sawyer could play seven card stud with his eyes closed. He’d been playing it with his family for years. He was also good with numbers. Most Dukes were. Taking another mouthful of his beer, he picked the cards he was dealt and looked at the two lying face down before him.
“You leave us some money tonight, Bird Dog,” Tony said to Birdie.
“I’ll try,” she said. Her voice was lower than normal. Just how many disguises did this woman have?
