26. Meri
CHAPTER 26
MERI
Have you ever regretted taking the life of someone who’s evil?
“He’s not answering his phone, Mistress.”
I sigh as if I have the weight of the world on my shoulders. This was all supposed to end tonight, but Malcolm hasn’t bothered to show up.
What the hell? Does he know we know?
“Thank you, Conrad,” I say. “We can’t wait any longer, so I’ll go ahead and get the game started.”
We made the decision not to bring Conrad, Solomon, and Grant in on our plan because we didn’t want to risk any of them collapsing under the pressure, so I know they didn’t tip Malcolm off.
“Okay,” Conrad says. “Maybe he’s still upset about not being a part of the last few games.”
“Maybe,” I mutter.
When I reach the poker table inside, I do my best not to focus on Stunner and Ghost. I’ve never seen either of them in black tie apparel, and I can’t deny that they’re both gorgeous men, but I’ve only got eyes for Poker.
I deal the first round of cards. “Mr. Neero, it’s your bet.”
A few hands go by, and all seems to be running smoothly. Esteban, Mr. Neero, Ms. Graven, and Stefan are the players in attendance. As I’m dealing the fifth game, a gunshot rings out a second before an explosion takes out the warehouse entrance.
That’s when everything turns to shit.
The four regular players dive under the table while Poker and his brothers jump to their feet and grab the weapons we attached to their chairs so Conrad wouldn’t find them during his security search upon entry.
I grab my gun from the thigh holster I’m wearing, and point it in the direction of the door, just as the hidden door opens and Crow, Journey, Python, Jackyl, Screamer, and Tracer stride into the large space.
“What the fuck?” Crow shouts.
“I only want Mistress Green!” Malcolm yells as he seems to materialize from the smoke.
“Where’s Conrad, Malcolm?” I demand.
“Dead.”
Shit.
“You’re not gonna get away with this,” Poker snarls as he slowly eases toward me.
Malcolm laughs. “I already have. This place is rigged to blow if I don’t get what I want.”
“And you want me?” I ask.
“That’s all I’ve ever wanted,” he confirms. “It never should’ve gotten to this point. All you had to do was see me, like me, need me.”
“Why didn’t you just flirt with me like a normal person?” I snap. “Or, I don’t fucking know, ask me out on a date?”
“Because you were always mooning over him ,” he sneers, nodding at Poker. “Filthy criminal biker can’t give you the life I can.”
“Uh, buddy,” Poker comments dryly. “Hate to break it to you, but you’re a criminal too. And so is she.”
Malcolm frantically shakes his head. “No, no, no! I did all of this for love! It can’t be criminal if it’s for love!” He takes a few deep breaths, seemingly trying to gain some composure. Eventually, he focuses on me. “Come with me,” he pleads. “Come with me, and we can put this behind us.”
“No, Malcolm. I don’t love you. Shit, right now I don’t even like you. I trusted you, and you threw it in my face.”
“I’ll make it up to you, I promise,” he says, my words not sinking in.
“Shoot him,” Esteban orders from his position under the table.
“I’ve got bigger plans for this asshole,” Poker growls.
“Shut up!” Malcolm yells. He takes several steps toward me. “Just shut up!”
Poker moves to stand in front of me. There’s about thirty feet of space between me and Malcolm, and I have no doubt that Poker won’t let him get any closer than that.
“Call off the dogs, Mistress,” Malcolm orders. “Call ‘em off, or I’ll start shooting.”
“You can shoot all you want,” I tell him. “But I’m not calling anyone off. Besides, even if I did, do you really think they’d listen when you’re pointing a gun at me?”
Malcolm shifts his weapon and points it at Poker. “How about now?”
“Meri, don’t even think about it,” Poker says quietly. “He’s not gonna shoot me.”
I don’t even have time to blink when Malcolm pulls the trigger, and the bullet hits Poker in the arm. He hisses in pain but doesn’t waver.
“That all you got?” Poker taunts.
“Goddammit, P,” Crow barks. “Quit while you’re ahead.”
“I’m not fucking ahead as long as he’s got a gun pointed at my woman!”
“Gimme the word, Poker, and I’ll take him out,” Screamer says from his position.
“No one shoots him,” Poker demands. “I want him in the Nightmare Room.”
Malcolm pales. “What’s the Nightmare Room?” he asks, wavering since the moment he blew his way in here.
I can’t see his face, but I know Poker is grinning sadistically. “Use your imagination.”
There’s a pause, and then Malcolm squares his shoulders, shifting his gun to me. As much as I want to give Poker what he wants, this has to stop. I’ve already lost Conrad, and my man has already been shot. I can’t stand the thought of someone else getting hurt.
“This is the last time I’ll ask,” Malcolm begins. “Come wi?—”
A bullet to his head shuts Malcolm up.
“Who did that?” Poker roars, spinning around to take in all the men. They’re all shaking their heads, so he slides his angry gaze to me. “You?”
I shrug before slipping my gun back into the holster. “This had to end. I ended it.”
“Dammit, Meri,” he seethes.
“Don’t,” I snap. “I’m not saying this was my fault, but it did happen because of me. It was my job to end it, and I did. I’ve told you from the beginning that I can take care of myself. Maybe now you’ll believe me.”
I whirl around to stomp off, but Poker’s right there to gather me in his arms.
“I’m sorry, babe,” he whispers against my head. “I’m sorry. I just hate the fact that you had to take a life.”
I lift my eyes to his. “Have you ever regretted taking the life of someone who’s evil?”
“No.”
“And I won’t either. Malcolm may have been a run-of-the-mill creep, but he was still evil.”
“Have I told you today how much I love you?”
I smile. “A few times, but I’m good if you want to keep telling me.”
“I’ll tell you for the rest of our lives. I love you, Meri. So damn much.”
“I love you, too, Poker.”