Chapter 9 #2
For better effect, I wait a moment before replying in a low voice filled with warning, “You know very well who I am. Who I really am. And you know what I’m capable of.”
“Get the fuck out of my club!” His anger is obvious. He stands up and points to the exit.
“Don’t be stupid, Alex. We can help each other, but you don’t want to cross me,” I threaten.
“Are you out of your mind? Look around, man. You’re in my club! You’re with two friends, and I have nearly fifty people behind me. You have the balls to threaten me?!”
Keeping my gaze fixed on him, I also rise from my chair at a slow pace.
“I have the balls to suggest this to you, and I have the balls to follow through on what I say.”
In that moment, despite the noise, a woman’s voice reaches my ears. “Don’t care, Sly. I have to see him!”
Turning around, I see a ghost.
It’s her.
The woman I first saw at my club, and then a second time when she was talking to Eli in Owen’s club when she took him for a ride like a kid with a lollipop, is rushing toward us.
With each step, her curly ponytail swings back and forth. A few strands of hair that have escaped frame her beautiful face. She’s breathtaking.
She’s wearing a white top and tight jeans that accentuate her curves. For a moment, I regret that I’m not behind her and can’t see it from that angle. As soon as she passes me, like I’m not even there, my wish comes true.
My eyes goes to her round and exciting ass. My mouth waters, thinking about what it would be like to feel it in my hands.
That’s when a shiver goes down my spine. The same strange connection I felt with Shadow. That magnetic something.
I hold my breath, speechless. A few blinks later, I’m overcome with a strange sense of guilt.
No, it’s impossible. I’m out of my mind.
Disgusted, I shake my head. I’m so intent on getting my hands on Shadow that I want her to be some random woman. I can’t think of any other logical explanation for what’s happening.
Meanwhile, she stands in front of Alex, puts her hands on her hips, and looks at him with a menacing stare. Out of habit, she turns the silver ring on her thumb. “Fuck. Alex, I’ve called you a million times. Why aren’t you answering? Something terrible has happened—”
“Stop, Ash.” Alex looks at her pointedly and then shifts his gaze to me. But there’s something else in his eyes. A longing he can’t hide from me. “I’m in the middle of a meeting.”
The woman gasps, a sudden realization dawning on her face Turning toward me, she looks me up and down. She carefully examines my hands and neck, where my tattoos are visible. Then, our eyes meet. Hers are green and mesmerizing.
Similar... to my mother’s eyes.
Only more intense.
“Ryker Elliot,” I say, offering her my hand.
She extends her hand with caution, as though scared I might cause her pain. “Ash,” she says in a hushed voice.
Before our hands meet, Eli has to screw everything up. “The Little Thief has a name after all.”
Her reaction is immediate. She turns toward him, and recognition flashes across her face.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Ash raises her pretty head in defiance.
Eli shrugs. “And a liar too. Nice set of skills. Need me to refresh your memory? We had a nice little chat not too long ago at the club. Turns out those little hands of yours have a lot of talent. You owe me two thousand.”
“You’re delusional, pretty boy.”
“You can keep them and repay me in other ways.” Eli raises his eyebrows meaningfully several times.
My hands clench into fists when I hear it.
What the fuck?
Ash moves aggressively to him, probably wanting to scratch his eyes out. Funny enough, Alex takes two steps and grabs her waist, like ivy. I fucking hate that, his arm around her.
My gaze burns a hole in his protective stance, and if it were up to me, his hand…
“I don’t owe you anything,” she. Her laser gaze is still focused on him.
God knows when, but Theo finds himself right next to me, watching the entire scene as well.
“You’re wrong, Little Thief. Tick tock. Time is running out. There were fourteen hundred in the wallet, but the compensation is growing with each passing day. Right now, it’s twenty hundred.” Eli smiles, having fun.
“Fuck off,” she growls, but Alex looks at me and adds, “It’s time for you guys.”
“Anger harms beauty, Ash.” Eli provoke. “Don’t be bitter, sweetie.”
“Let’s get out of here.” Theo’s more than eager to leave.
Something doesn’t feel right here, but I have to play it cool.
I nod in agreement with Theo.
“We’ll talk another time, Alex. Think about my offer. It was nice to meet you, Ash.” I gaze into her eyes full of anger.
“We have nothing to talk about,” Alex spits and pulls the girl even closer to him.
Interesting. Alex has a soft spot for her. Good to know.
I leave with my brothers in silence.
A moment later, as we’re in the car, I’m staring out the window, lost in thought about everything that’s happened. My daydream is broken when something lands in my lap.
A phone. I roll my eyes quizzically at Theo.
“Alex’s phone. Make good use of it and find your girl.”
“How did it end up in your hands?”
“I took advantage of the moment when he was holding Ash.”
The grinding of my teeth is answer enough.