3. Poker
CHAPTER 3
POKER
What gives is I’m… fucked.
“She looks pissed.”
I glance at Addison, my president’s old lady, and scowl. When she overheard me telling Crow I was coming to the game tonight, she begged to be my plus one. I was suspicious of her motives, seeing as she’s law enforcement, but she assured me that her interest was mere curiosity and not work-related. It took Crow ordering me to take her for me to finally agree.
“I told ya this was a bad idea,” I snap.
Addison smacks my arm. “Leave it to me, big guy. I’ll fix this.”
Before I can stop her, she pulls her arm free and strides toward Meri. I swallow my groan and follow, my eyes never leaving Meri’s face. The second I stepped inside, I caught sight of her and almost swallowed my tongue. The dress she’s wearing sends every ounce of my blood to my cock, and it throbs behind these awful tuxedo pants.
As delectable as she looks, her eyes sparked with rage the moment she saw Addison.
“...cause any trouble.”
I catch the tail end of Addison’s sentence when I join them, still not avoiding the heat in Meri’s gaze.
“Can I speak to you a moment?” Meri asks, the words clipped. She doesn’t give me a chance to respond before grabbing my elbow and dragging me across the space toward a corner. “What the fuck were you thinking bringing her here?”
Bringing my hands to her shoulders, I give them a gentle squeeze. “Calm down, Meri. Addison isn’t here as a cop. I promise.”
She shrugs free of my grip, and I immediately miss her smooth skin. “Calm down? Jesus, Poker, you know who my players are. What do you think’s gonna happen when they find out who she is?” I open my mouth to reply, but she rushes on. “And it’s Mistress Green here, you know that.”
The corners of my mouth tug up into a grin. “Yes, Mistress.”
The tension leaves her body, and she exhales as her lips twitch. “You’re impossible.”
“Nah, just mildly annoying.”
She waves her hand dismissively. “Stop trying to make me forget why I’m mad.”
Realizing that she’s truly panicked about the reactions of the others, I soften my expression. “Look, if I thought for a second that her being here was a danger to your reputation and what you’ve built, she wouldn’t be here. I promise you that. Addison might be…” I glance over my shoulder to make sure we’re not within earshot of anyone. “...law enforcement, but tonight, she’s the old lady of a one-percenter motorcycle club president. Nothing more, nothing less.”
“Lemme guess,” she counters. “Crow didn’t give you a choice but to bring her.”
I shrug. “You know he can’t deny her anything.”
Ballinger’s Bar might not be where the brothers always party, but we’re not strangers either. Meri knows the guys, and they know her. She’s comfortable with all of them, and that’s only a part of her immense appeal.
“Yeah, yeah. Asshole lives and breathes for her.”
“Exactly.”
“Fine, but if anyone seems to suspect anything or if anything feels off, she’s gotta go.”
“Understood.” I turn to walk toward the round table where the other players wait. “But nothing will happen. I promise.”
Fortunately, Addison’s presence doesn’t raise any questions. Most of those in attendance tonight are from out of town and have no clue who she is.
Halfway through the game, my chips run out. I’ve been too focused on Meri—excuse me, Mistress Green—and the expanse of leg showing from the almost hip-high slit in her dress.
“What’s up with you tonight, Poker?” Mr. Neero asks. “You usually give me a run for my money.”
I narrow my eyes at him. Mr. Neero is a man who earned his money on the backs of those less fortunate, and I hate him. Taking his money has always brought me great satisfaction, especially when I know what I do with it.
“Just a little preoccupied, that’s all,” I respond coolly.
“Leave the poor man alone, Dan,” Mrs. Neero says, sliding her hands over her husband’s chest. “Can’t you see he’s smitten?”
Addison chokes on her vodka soda from her position standing behind me. “Oh, no, we’re just friends.”
Mrs. Neero smiles, flashing her too-white store-bought teeth. “Wasn’t talking about you, honey.”
“Actually, I am smitten,” I say, earning curious looks from everyone. “Smitten with money, and since I don’t seem to be winning any, I’m out.” I rise from my chair. “Mistress Green, always a pleasure.”
I grip Addison’s arm and lead her toward the exit. She doesn’t say a word until we’re in the matte black Camaro.
“Um, what the fuck was that?” she demands as I fire up the engine.
“What?”
“What was that bitch seeing that I wasn’t?”
“What are you talking about?” I demand, harsher than I intend, as I peel out of the lot.
“Poker, no one could ever accuse you of being smitten.” Addison laughs, and it grates on my nerves. “And that bullshit about money? C’mon, what gives?”
What gives is I was caught staring at Mistress Green and imagining her legs wrapped around my hips with that damn dress wrapped around hers. What gives is I like the woman and torture myself by going to the poker games just to spend more time with her and make sure she’s okay. What gives is I’m… fucked.
None of those words come out of my mouth as I shrug. “Nothing gives, Addi. Just not a fan of the Neeros.”
“I call bullshit.”
“Call it whatever you want. I call it the fucking truth.”