14. Meri
CHAPTER 14
MERI
No secrets.
“I call.”
I watch as Martin tosses chips onto the middle of the table. Next to him, Ms. Rogers rolls her neck, which is her tell that she has a shitty hand. I don’t know if the others have picked up on this, but I sure have. Behind her is Diego, the woman’s plus-one for the night.
“Rogers,” Stefan prods. “You in or out?”
The middle-aged socialite from California straightens her shoulders and reaches for her chips. “Call.”
Stefan groans. “I fold.”
After tossing his cards down, he rises from his chair and makes his way to the bar. Diego’s gaze follows his movement, but I remain focused on the game.
The rest of the hand plays out, and Martin wins. Ms. Rogers whines about the money she lost but seems to calm when Diego leans over and whispers something in her ear.
Poker isn’t here tonight, though I wish he were. I’m frazzled since getting that note at my house from Neero. Granted, the guy’s month isn’t up yet so he’s not here, but that doesn’t seem to matter.
“Everything okay?” Martin asks me.
“Of course,” I reply, smoothing my hands down the satin of my dress. “Why don’t we take a few minutes before the next round?”
The players don’t move away from the table, but I do. I walk across the large space to the small office I keep and kick off my shoes as soon as I enter. For some reason, my heart just isn’t in the game tonight. I’d rather be with Poker.
Fuck, I miss him.
Make no mistake… It’s only been twenty-four hours since I’ve seen him, but he’s quickly become an integral part of my life.
I reach into my purse for my cell so I can send him a quick text.
Meri: Wish you were here.
He doesn’t respond, but I don’t expect him to. He told me he had more club business to handle, and I trust that he’s busy.
As I move to put my shoes back on, the door opens, and Diego strides in.
“You can’t be in here,” I snap, annoyed that he got past my security team.
Lifting his hands in mock surrender, he smiles, but it’s not a nice smile. It’s handsome, sure, but it’s hard, brutal. “Just wanted to ask you a question,” he says.
“What?”
Before I know what’s happening, he lunges forward and pins me to the wall. “Where’s your boy toy?” he sneers, his nose pressed to my cheek.
“Excuse me?”
“Don’t play stupid bitch with me,” he snarls. “That biker boy I’ve been told you eye-fuck on the regular… Where is he?”
“He’s not here, obviously. What do you want with him?”
I want to ask how he knows about him, but I’m not an idiot. The players of this game might not interact on the daily, but I know they have some contact outside of these walls, despite being geographically separated. Ms. Rogers clearly told Diego about Poker, and no doubt she heard whisperings from the night Neero was suspended.
Fucking gossip.
“That’s a shame.” Diego licks my cheek, and I try to shove him away, but he’s too strong. “I’ve got a message for you to deliver.”
“Fuck you,” I spit out.
“No thanks.” He tilts his head, his arm still braced across my chest to hold me in place. “Now, you’re gonna tell Poker that he and his club are to stay clear of my brother.”
“Who’s your brother?”
“Poker will know. Deliver the message.”
Diego pushes away from me and storms out the door. It takes me a minute to regain my composure, but when I do, I return to the main area of the warehouse. I scan the space, but both Diego and Ms. Rogers are gone.
“You okay?” Malcolm asks when he reaches my side halfway to the table. “I saw Diego high-tail it from your office, and then the two of them took off.”
I absently rub my fist against my chest. “I’m fine. Let’s get these last two deals over with.”
Malcolm silently escorts me back to the table, and the remaining rounds go smoothly, but my mind stays on Diego and his message.
Who is his brother?
What is Poker and the club involved in?
Is Ms. Rogers connected or just a coincidence?
By the time the evening comes to an end, I’m mentally drained. Conrad and the guys begin to clean up while I grab my purse from my office and head to my Lexus. I’m not paying attention, my face buried in my cell, so when I run into a wall of muscle, I let out a scream.
“Meri, it’s me!” Poker shouts, wrapping his arms around me.
His voice washes over me as I try to smack him but can’t with the way he’s got my arms trapped between us.
“Jesus, you scared the shit out of me.”
“I’m sorry,” he rumbles. “Wasn’t going for that. I figured you’d see me.”
Breathing deeply, I ease away from him. “You don’t have to apologize. I wasn’t paying attention.”
He stares at me for a long moment as if assessing my demeanor. “You okay?”
“Yes.” No secrets. “No,” I say and shake my head. “Come back to my place tonight?”
“Wanna take my bike or your car?” he asks without hesitation.
“We can take both. I don’t want to leave either behind. Just… follow me, okay?”
“Is everything okay?”
“We’ll talk back at my place, I promise.”
“Okay.” He presses a kiss to the top of my head. “I’ll be right behind you.”