Chapter Three
This is probably a mistake.
It felt like a mistake. Something she’d come to regret with consequences she’d be forced to face. Cleo glanced down at her tight black dress and the straps of her heels in her hand as she crept down the stairs. This was definitely a mistake. But only if I get caught.
The odds were in her favor. Aside from a few prospects, who never bothered with her, the clubhouse was empty.
The guys had left two days ago for a run and weren’t due back until tomorrow.
She was meeting Reyna at the end of the driveway.
She’d go completely undetected unless someone happened to check the surveillance cameras.
But why would they unless there was a problem?
It was a risk. But where’s the harm? She’d be with Reyna, who they all knew.
And heck, I’m almost twenty-five years old.
Most women her age went on dates all the time.
Cleo was overthinking this. The only reason they’d have to get mad was her not telling anyone where she was going.
And technically, there’s no one here to tell, so I’ll take my chances.
Everything ran smoothly and according to plan.
She made it out of the clubhouse without seeing the prospects, and Reyna was waiting for her at the road.
The underground poker house was about thirty minutes away.
All the while Reyna chatted. So this is what it’s like?
Cleo never spent any time with girlfriends.
She had a few. Well, I consider them friends.
She wasn’t sure how they felt. But all communication with them was done by text.
This reminded her a little of the time when she’d hung out with Regina in her apartment. One of the best nights I’ve ever had.
Do you remember how that ended?
Cleo shook her head, ridding her mind of the memory.
She would only focus on the present. Reyna pulled into the parking lot, which was off the beaten path.
The poker house was set in a secluded area, and from the outside didn’t look like anything fancy or special.
The inside was a whole different realm, and she felt her excitement build as they exited the car.
Reyna glanced down at her phone. “They’re running late. A big crash on the interstate.”
“Maybe they changed their minds.” It wouldn’t be the worst thing.
After a little thought, Cleo had her reservations.
Evan seemed nice, and he was incredibly handsome.
But he wasn’t Cleo’s vision of the perfect date.
That was reserved for a burly, grumpy Enforcer with an unwelcoming demeanor and permanent scowl. It’s still damn, sexy.
Reyna snorted. “Not a chance.” She tucked her phone in her bag and led them to the front door.
Cleo hadn’t mentioned it to Reyna, but she’d been here before. It hadn’t yet opened for operation, but she’d gotten a close up look at the inside. Part of her motivation for coming was to see the final product. I bet it’s beautiful.
The building must’ve had a lot of surveillance, because before they reached the front door, they were greeted by security.
A large man talked with Reyna briefly while Cleo scanned the area.
She glanced up, noticing the cameras on every inch of the building.
There was no sneaking in or out of this place.
Reyna grabbed her wrist and led her through the door.
She smiled at the man, and he lowered his chin.
She walked into a room where there were a few desks set up.
They had their bags checked and were frisked before entering the next corridor.
Cleo had brought one hundred dollars and traded them in for chips.
This was her first time at any type of casino.
She didn’t know how to play the tables, but she was willing to risk some money for the experience alone. So exciting.
Once they were cleared, another member of security opened the double doors leading to the main floor. She stifled a gasp in her throat. Playing it cool had never come easy for her, but she was able to smother a bit of her enthusiasm.
“Let’s get a drink.” Reyna weaved through the foursome of men watching a table. Cleo followed. She arched her neck, catching a glimpse of a poker table.
Cleo looked around the room in complete awe. It was even more glamorous than she’d envisioned. It was elegant with a masculine tone.
When Reyna hopped up on a stool, Cleo sat in the one beside her. She slid her hands over the smooth wood of the bar. Everything about this place was high-end.
“Ladies.”
Cleo swung her head to the bartender across from her.
“My name is Tanner, and I’ll be serving you tonight. What can I get for you?”
Cleo flattened her lips. “A beer.”
He lowered his chin.
“No Cleo, let’s get a fun drink.” Reyna elbowed her arm with a wink and pressed her hands against the edge of the bar. “We’ll have margaritas.”
His lips twitched before breaking out in a grin. “I don’t get that order often.”
Cleo nervously waved her hand, gaining his attention. “We can order something simpler, if that’s a problem.”
Tanner’s smile softened, and he shook his head. “It’s not a problem. I welcome the change from whiskey neats.”
Cleo smiled, watching him move down the bar and grab two glasses from the shelf. It was strange to be in this setting on her own. Or any, for that matter. Rarely did she go anywhere by herself that wasn’t local. And she certainly didn’t hang out alone with anyone other than a member.
It was silly, but a bubbly energy swarmed her belly along with an unnatural calm. It was odd for the situation. Considering her past, being on her own should’ve left her anxious and nervous. It didn’t. She felt…free.
“You like working at the motel?”
The question came out of nowhere, and she wasn’t exactly sure how to answer. Cleo was happy to have a job to pass the time. She liked the money. A lot. But working specifically at the motel?
“It’s fine.”
Reyna snorted. “Considering the activity happening in those rooms, I’m sure you’ve seen some pretty gross shit.”
Cleo forced a smile. That’s an understatement.
She lifted her hands and wiggled her fingers. “I wear industrial gloves.”
Reyna knitted her brows, then burst out laughing. “As you should.”
There was a small lull in conversation. Comfortable silence could be calming and enjoyable. And boring. The last thing she wanted was Reyna to think she couldn’t carry a conversation.
“So um…” Cleo racked her brain for an interesting topic but came up short. “Do you like what you do?”
Reyna smirked. “I like the money.”
Cleo had no idea how much the girls made, but considering their lavish clothes and cars, she assumed it was decent.
“Have you ever wanted to do something different?”
Reyna snorted, and her gaze scanned the room. “I’ve been doing this since I was sixteen and my stepbrother started pimping me out to his friends.”
Cleo gasped. Her own life had been a mini hell, but she couldn’t imagine living the picture Reyna was painting.
Reyna laughed, wrapping her hand around Cleo’s wrist and strumming her thumb over her skin. It felt comforting, which was strange. If anyone should be consoling someone, it was Cleo with Reyna.
“I’m sorry,” Cleo whispered.
Reyna shrugged but didn’t look at Cleo. “We don’t all get the cookie cutter, white picket fence childhood,” Reyna spun on her stool to face Cleo. “Right?”
No, we don’t.
“Right.” Cleo forced a smile.
“You and I are a lot alike, I think.”
She instantly felt a burst of appreciation. Cleo couldn’t contain her smile. “Thank you.”
Reyna scoffed. “You act like that’s a compliment.”
“It is. You’re smart, obviously beautiful, and nice. Why wouldn’t I take that as a compliment?”
Reyna’s bottom lip fell open, staring at Cleo as if she’d just sprouted a second head.
Cleo wasn’t the best at gauging people’s reactions or reading into their thoughts.
She attributed her lack of social skills to years of isolation.
Maybe she’d taken it the wrong way. There had been more depth to the conversation, mainly circling around abuse.
Ah, dammit. Cleo bowed her head, staring down at her clasped hands in her lap. That’s what Reyna had been referring to.
“I think I took that the wrong way. You meant—” Cleo stopped and cleared her throat. Before she could finish her thought, Reyna grabbed her knee in a tight squeeze. Cleo glanced up through her lashes to find Reyna smiling.
Thankfully the bartender was a welcome distraction, placing two napkins down, then their drinks. Cleo immediately grabbed the glass and took a sip, glancing around the room. As with most conversations, she’d made it awkward. I swear, that’s going to be on my headstone…Loving sister and awkward AF.
“You didn’t,” Reyna said, and Cleo peeked over at the woman. “Smart, beautiful, and nice. That’s what I meant.”
Na?ve and gullible. Out of touch. Those were all relatable traits for Cleo. Stupid wasn’t. Cleo was well-aware Reyna was backtracking with her lie. And I’m going to let her.
They spent the next ten minutes chatting with Tanner, who gave them the scoop on the tables. All the while, she sucked down her drink. Cleo was feeling the buzz and lightheaded. She rarely drank, but this was going down quick, and she was feeling the effect.
When Tanner excused himself to help a patron, Reyna swiveled on her stool to face Cleo.
“I’ve got a question I’ve been dying to know since you started.”
“Okay.” Cleo sipped her margarita.
“Ever sleep with any of the brothers?”
Cleo choked on her drink, coughing into her hand. Reyna slapped her back, laughing.
“I don’t know if I should take that as a yes or a no.”
“No.” Cleo angled her head, wiping her lips with the back of her hand. “Have you?”
Reyna smiled. “A few.”