Page 12 of The Devil's Playground

I’m completely aware that Link’s changing the subject on purpose. He got a full report on Garrett Fink’s unfortunate demise. Agreeing with me that it looks drug-related—and not important enough to mention it to Damien—he clapped me on the shoulder for a job well done and that was all. But because I’m not the only one who gets tense when anyone brings up Heather Valiant, Link starts asking if I think that the two ODs I had to clean up on Monday have anything to do with Breeze.

Since Breeze is a party drug and those low-lifes had obvious track marks, I tell Link no, and move on. After all, drugs are Damien’s domain. Us Sinners have our own focus, and while I purposely steer the conversation away from girls, and Link hates to hear me ramble on about gambling, we settle on guns.

For the next half an hour, we talk about a meet Link had with Falco, a new up-and-coming gun runner on the East Coast. He wants to worm his way into Springfield, and Link’s thinking about it. As his second, though, he wants my in-put before he makes any final decisions, and we talk about the pros and cons until Link’s private phone rings.

I finally learned why he keeps a second phone on him. With the cheapie device programmed so that only one person could get through, whenever it rings, I know that his wife needs him.

It doesn’t matter why she’s calling. I’ve seen him hold up a finger to some of the other powerful players in town, telling them to shut the fuck up all so he can check with Ava, make sure she’s okay.

The further she progresses in her pregnancy, the antsier Link gets. No one but me would even notice, and I’m for sure not going to point it out. When Link is antsy, his Sig Sauer gets drawn, and he’s not so hasty about whether he pulls the trigger or not.

As he answers it, I run my finger around the rim of my glass, gaze being drawn to the dance floor.

Damn it. I tried. I really did. I wasn’t even looking for her—but there she is. Standing by the bar, talking to Dennis—the bartender on duty—as he loads up her tray, there’s Nicolette and, groaning under my breath, I drop my free hand to my dick. One glimpse. One glimpse of her sticking out her ass as she bends over the bar top and I’m fucking sprung.

So distracted by her long legs, the way her golden hair hangs in seductive waves just past her shoulders, and how easily she carries the tray away once it’s loaded, I barely notice that Link’s done with his conversation until he raps his knuckles on the table.

My head shoots his way. “Yeah, boss?”

“That was Ava.” Obviously. “She was wondering when I was coming home.” A small smile tugs on his lips. “I’m telling you, Royce. Ava can’t get enough of me these days. And when my wife needs me, you better fucking know I’m on my way.”

Lucky bastard. “Have fun.”

His smirk tells me he will. “What about you? Heading out?”

“Nah. I thought I’d stick around, watch the floor tonight.”

Link gives me a knowing look. “Just the floor?”

He’s my boss, the head of the syndicate, and one of the only friends I have. Even if I tried to hide my irrational affection for a woman I’m dying to know, Link would see right through me.

I shrug.

“I don’t know why you’re torturing yourself. Shit. If you want her, go for it.”

If only it was that easy.

“She works at the Playground,” I mutter. “That means she’s under syndicate protection, right? Even from me.”

Link huffs out a breath. “If you had a hard-on for the blondie so bad, why did you hire her? You could’ve bumped into her after turning her down, then done your charming ‘Rolls’ bullshit and there you go. She’s yours.”

I arch an eyebrow. “What do you mean, charming ‘Rolls’ bullshit?”

Link tilts back the last of his whiskey. The bottom of the empty shot glass clinks against the table top as he sets it down. “You know what I mean. You tried it with my Ava.”

“I didn’t know she was yours.”

“And like I said that night, the wedding dress gave it away.”

Whatever. “Enjoy your bride. Leave me to my misery.”

“Suit yourself. Just know that, if you change your mind, I won’t say ‘I told you so’.”

And Link thinks that I’m the smart ass? I flip him my middle finger as he laughs, moving his big body out of our booth.

Once he’s gone, I pull out my phone. If Link wanted to talk to me about Jake, that makes me think my cousin got up to something in the days since I’ve talked to him last. As a favor to him—and my own stunted conscience—I took down the information he gave me about this Simone and had Tanner run her. The fact that Simone is married should’ve been a red flag to anyone, but Jake swore she was separated from the guy.

Maybe Link knows better. God knows that, even if she was taken, that wouldn’t stop my cousin…

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