Chapter Three #2
It shouldn’t have come as a surprise. Cleo had seen one or two members of the club coming out of the rooms occasionally. She always found it strange since at any given party there were at least five women per man lining up for their attention.
“Who?” she blurted, and her face heated. She waved her hand, “I’m sorry. That’s way too personal.”
Reyna snorted. “Considering my profession, I really don’t think it is. My audition was with Jekyll.”
“Audition?”
“Yeah, whenever a new girl comes in, they have to fuck a member.”
What? Cleo had been privy to some insider information with club business.
Usually, she overheard things in passing.
Living inside the clubhouse walls, not all business was conducted in private.
But this was the first she’d heard of the mechanics behind the motel brothel.
Reyna obviously read her shock and quickly explained.
“It makes sense when you think about it. They want to make sure you’ll make the money to cover the room you’re renting.
If you suck in bed, you probably won’t bring in much, so they vet the girls.
It’s all consensual, and if you’re not down for it, you don’t do it.
If you are? You get to pick which brother, and if they’re up for it, you audition. ”
There was logic behind it. But auditioning for prostitution?
“S-so?” Her voice shook, taking in all the new information. “You chose Jekyll.”
“Yeah, and that man didn’t disappoint. Just between you and I, he’s a giver. Never came so hard in my life.” Her smile faded. “Almost shed a tear when he got sent away. Any idea when he’s getting out?”
Cleo shook her head. She was lying. She didn’t know his exact release date, but she knew he and Hyde had another six months on their sentences. However, that was Killcreek’s business, and Cleo always kept her mouth shut when it came to the club.
Grilling Reyna on her sexual escapades seemed intrusive, but curiosity got the best of her.
“So, have you been with anyone else?”
“Oak.” Reyna arched her brow. “He was not a giver. But a good lay. And he gets extra points for creativity. Taught me a few new positions.”
I can see that. There were a few members who seemed to overindulge when it came to sexual partners. Oak was the biggest offender, with Gent as a close second.
“So you had two auditions then?”
“No. Oak was an appointment at the motel. If the boys wanna fuck, they gotta pay like everyone else. No freebies even for members. That’s Ace’s rule, and no one breaks it.”
That was fair. And not surprising from the president. The women were doing a job, and they should be compensated.
“Anyone else?”
Reyna turned in her stool, smirking. “Are you asking about someone specific?”
Uh-oh! Cleo wouldn’t share anything, but she had felt an immense wave of relief when Reyna hadn’t mentioned Wraith. Not that it mattered. Cleo had no claim over him. He’s not mine.
“No.”
Reyna squinted. “Who?”
Cleo shook her head. “No, I swear, I’m not.”
Liar!
“Yes, you are. Now tell me who.”
Fine! She swallowed the knot in her throat. “Wraith?”
Reyna burst out laughing, and Cleo felt her face heat. Reyna grabbed her hand. “I’m not laughing at you. I thought you were going to ask about your brother.”
Cleo twisted her lips. “I don’t want to know about Knox’s sex life.”
“Good, ’cause I don’t want to tell you. But I will say, from what I hear, he was a favorite among lots of the girls.”
Too much information. “So back to Wraith?”
Reyna snickered, shaking her head. “Never. Don’t know where that man is getting off, but it ain’t in Killcreek.”
“What do you mean?”
“Remember when I said you pick a brother, and if they’re up for it? Wraith is one of three members that’s not on the list of options.”
Interesting.
“You got a thing for him?” Reyna raised her brows.
“No,” Cleo blurted, but from the twitch in her lips, Reyna didn’t believe her. Thankfully, her phone pinged. “Ugh, they’re still about an hour away.” Reyna sighed, glancing around the room. “I’m going to the bathroom. You want to come or hang out here?”
“I’ll stay here.”
Reyna tapped her knee, smiled, and slid off the stool. She grabbed her small bag from the bar. “Alright, I’ll be back.”
Cleo watched her walk across the room, pondering what Reyna had said.
There was a list, and Wraith wasn’t on it.
It was enlightening. She felt a surge of excitement knowing he wasn’t bedding all the women and an angst of disappointment.
Clearly, he was getting it somewhere else.
There was no way that man was celibate. Cleo nibbled on her bottom lip, heavy in thought.
She couldn’t recall ever seeing Wraith bring a woman back to his room at parties.
It was possible she’d just missed it but she spent a lot of time watching him.
He rarely engaged with any of the girls. Except me.
“Are you going to play tonight?”
Cleo turned to Tanner. “I have money, but I’m not familiar with the games. I’m thinking blackjack is probably the easiest?”
“Why does everyone think that?” He chuckled and rested his elbows on the bar, leaning forward. “Try poker. Let me give you some helpful hints.”
For the next ten minutes, Tanner gave her easy instructions on the basics of poker. Through his explanation, it didn’t seem as difficult as she’d expected. But most of these people looked as though they had a complete grasp of the game.
“I still think I’m going to lose all my money.”
The corner of his mouth hiked. “Most first-timers usually do. But stick with small bets. Get a feel for the table.” His gaze shifted over her shoulder, and he shot up straight with his eyes trained over her head. He’d lost all of his easiness, and tension marred his jaw.
“Sir?”
Cleo glanced over her shoulder and widened her eyes. She hadn’t realized anyone was standing behind her. The man was dressed in a dark suit that looked as though it cost more than her car. His dark hair was elegantly styled, and his features were sharp and chiseled. And he looks mad.
“I see empty glasses.”
Tanner gave a curt nod and rushed to the opposite end of the bar where two men were seated. Their drinks didn’t appear to be finished. Had he gotten in trouble for spending time with her? Cleo forced a jittery smile at the stranger beside her.
“That’s my fault.”
The man’s gaze slowly shifted to Cleo. She immediately pointed at Tanner, noticing her shaky hand. “He was explaining the rules of poker. He was actually very helpful.”
“Was he?”
“Extremely.”
The man squinted, and his lips spread into a smile as he took the stool next to her. His arm rested on the bar, and his face softened slightly. She wasn’t expecting his next gesture. He offered his hand.
“Dante.”
The name suited him. Dark hair, piercing blue eyes, and a five o’clock shadow that only accentuated his perfectly shaped bone structure.
Cleo immediately shook his hand. “I’m Cleo.”
“Is this your first time here?”
She drew in a breath, releasing his hand and relaxing. “Yes. Well, since it opened.”
He arched his brow.
Cleo waved her hand. “I mean, yes, it’s my first time. It’s exciting, right? And beautiful. I love how it’s a masculine design but soft enough to be inviting and comfortable for everyone.”
Dante glanced up at the art hanging above the bar. “That’s an interesting perception.”
When he stood, she blurted. “It was nice meeting you, Dante.”
“You as well, Cleo.”
She smiled, bowing her head and trying to conceal the blush heating her face. It was nice talking to people who had no idea of her affiliation with Killcreek. There was an ease in the conversation and nothing intimidating. Cleo grabbed her glass, sipping the last remnants of her drink.
“Would you like me to set you up at a table?”
Cleo jerked her head and widened her eyes, surprised to see Dante still next to her. “What?”
His gaze softened, and he pointed behind her. “I run the poker house. I could seat you at a table if you’d like to play.”
She immediately spun on her stool, glancing around the room. The idea was thrilling but she was completely out of her element. A ten minute tutorial from Tanner wasn’t enough to compete against seasoned players.
“I’ve never played, so…”
“This will be the perfect time to start.”
She bit her bottom lip. Wasn’t that why she’d come here? Hanging out with Reyna and enjoying a double date had been the main reason, but playing poker would be another new experience. “I only have a hundred dollars. Is that enough?”
Dante cupped his mouth, but she saw the slight quirk of his lips. He glanced up at the second floor. It was a large mirror angled from the balcony to the ceiling. She didn’t remember seeing that the first time she’d come in.
“Of course. We’ll have you start at what I like to call a beginner’s table and see how you do. And in the event it’s not your lucky night, I’ll take you off the table before you lose all your money. How does that sound?”
It sounds amazing!
“What about my friend? I said I’d wait here for her.”
Dante pointed to the bartender. “Tanner will let her know where you are when she returns.”
“Okay.” Cleo slipped off her stool and dug into her pocketbook, pulling out her wallet. “Do you know how much the drinks are?”
When he didn’t answer, she glanced up to find Dante smiling at her.
“They’re on the house.”
She widened her eyes. “Really?”
“Yes, now come with me.”
Cleo didn’t hesitate, following Dante through the room.
Could this night get any better?
*
“Jesus Christ!” The man seated across from her slammed his cards down on the table, grabbed his glass and finished off his drink, and settled back in his chair. All the while glaring at Cleo.
She wasn’t making many friends at the table. Usually she wouldn’t be celebrating that. But she was too focused on the stack of chips in front of her.
I’m winning!