Page 118 of Ace of Spades

I growl low in my throat, leaning in to mouth along her jaw. "Ignore it."

She groans against my kisses. But straightens and gently presses her hand against my chest, holding me back.

"We can't," she says, regret flashing across her face. "We have to show up. It’s the crew. It's tradition."

I drop my forehead to hers, breathing her in.

"I had other plans for you tonight," I mutter.

Her smile’s wicked and soft all at once. In the way only Sienna can do.

"I know. And we’ll get there. But tonight... this is important to them. And it’s kind of a big deal for me, too. They gave me a nickname, Levi."

God, she's right. As usual.

“Yeah, Captain. Guess there’s no need for me to show my face then. There’s been a mutiny on my ship.”

She laughs and slaps my shoulder.

“Even more reason to show your face. Let them know you won’t be replaced without a fight.”

I kiss her forehead, then step back.

“Fine.”

We both scramble to straighten ourselves, laughing under our breath like some damn teenagers.

Well…nevermind.

Sienna is young. And technically she is one. But being with her almost makes me feel like I’ve stopped decomposing. She brings out this younger, more excited part of me that I haven’t seen in years.

It’s refreshing.

So of course, if I have to kick her cute little ass at poker to make her happy, I’ll oblige.

By the time I step into Gramps’s room, just a minute after Sienna, Kick’s already dealing cards.

Ghost’s cracking open a Coke. Joey’s stuffing potato chips into his mouth like he’s training for a competition. And not the kind we have tomorrow.

Sienna plops down cross-legged on the floor next to Gramps.

"You ready to lose your rookie status?" he grins.

She grins back, pulling the cards Kick dealt to her and flipping them so she can see her hand. "Bring it, old man."

Poker nights are where SKC comes alive. We play loud, messy rounds. Always cussing, laughing, and bluffing like lunatics.

Sienna catches on way too fast.

She’s bluffing Ghost, beating Gramps, cleaning Joey out hand after hand.

Kick leans over to me at one point, stage whispering, "Think she’s cheating?"

I grin. "Nah. She’s just that dangerous."

Kick nods sagely. "It’s no wonder she’s Captain."

By the time its nearing midnight, Sienna yawns.

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