Page 38 of Ace of Spades

“Neither did any of these bozos ’til I taught them,” Benji says, gesturing around. “Now they fleece me every damn Friday.”

“Savage,” Sienna grins. “But I’m actually meeting someone.”

I stiffen.

Meeting someone? That’s why she looks like a walking fantasy. She’s got a date.

Of course she’s got a date.

She's young and beautiful and probably already has half this island wrapped around her pretty little finger judging by how quickly my crew has welcomed her into the fold.

A date.

Not that I care. I definitely don't.

"Hot date?" Kim asks the question I don’t dare to voice out loud.

Sienna shrugs. "More like a strategy meeting."

"You're working, kid?" Benji says. "See, Steele? Told ya she'd be a good one."

"I'm not paying you after hours," I say, not looking up.

“I don’t expect you to, boss.” Her voice is calm, but the barb’s there. I feel it under my skin. “I’ve got a lot of catching up to do, so… you guys enjoy your little game.”

Little game.

I don't miss the insinuation in her tone. That I'm somehow irresponsible because I'm choosing to play while she works.

"See you tomorrow, Ms. Riley. Don’t be late," I growl out.

“Wouldn’t dream of it,Levi.”

She heads for the door, and just before it shuts, her voice carries back.

“Theo! You made it.”

The door slams, and everyone at the table goes still.

Theo?MyTheo?

Why the hell isshemeeting withhim?

Benji coughs, clearing his throat. “Boss… you’re up first.”

I blink down at my cards. A decent hand. There's potential.

I shove a stack of chips into the pot and try to shove all thoughts of the girl currently meeting with my son out of my mind.

“Let’s play.”

Chapter10

Sienna

"Thanks for meeting me," I say to Theo Steele, once we're both settled in the booth at the corner of the old, worn down bar.

"Sorry, Rusty's is like the only place that's open at this hour. Island times," Theo says with a shrug, then grabs his water and takes a sip.