Page 76 of Rush the Edge

Daisy’s nostrils flare. When her arms cross against her chest, I know we’re about to go toe to toe. “Is your brother around here somewhere? Hoping you’ll win back all the money he’s probably lost again?”

She strikes a nerve, so I strike one right back.

I lean down and put my mouth next to her ear. “Go home, little one. I don’t want you here.”

By the way her jaw unhinges, I know I’ve pissed her off. I used to call herlittle onewhen River was around. I did it to irritate her, but it was also because it threw River off my trail. I couldn’t have my best friend sniffing out my interest in his little sister now, could I?

“You let me know when you’re ready to go, bookie.” Daisy pats my chest a couple of times, right over my heart.

I follow her swaying hips all the way to her final destination, which just so happens to be near a group of men celebrating a bachelor party.

All but one of them takes a look at Daisy. I can tell they’re making silent bets on who can score the pretty girl in the baseball cap.

I hate to admit it, but I think Malaki was right.

Daisy will get me to leave, or else I may end up in jail.

Twenty-Seven

DAISY

The entire driveto the casino, Reese and I conjured up a million and one plans on how I could tackle this issue.

The issue being Kane.

Evidently, I don’t know Kane at all anymore, because the guy I once knew would never dare fall into the same habits of those who precede him.

Gambling?

How could he? After everything he’s been through with his mom and brother?

Is this why he hasn’t made it back home in six years?

My stomach twists. I’m not even angry that I’m standing in a crowded casino, breathing in thick clouds of smoke. Instead, I’m concerned.

I shouldn’t be, especially after his conniving game of strip poker, but old habits die hard, and though he’s a man now, it’s hard not to remember who he was before.

“Hey.”

I perk up when a guy edges his way past my peripheral vision. I turn and slide a smile on my face. “Hi.”

“What are you doing here all alone?” The guy looks me up and down as he smiles. “Are you lost?”

I glance at my outfit. I was in such a rush that I didn’t care what I was wearing, but I’m clearly not in casino clothing.

I’m wearing a baseball hat. Could I look any more out of place?

Another guy steps forward. He’s tall and handsome but way too sloppy for my liking. Amber liquor sloshes out from the top of his drink and spills onto the floor between us. “She’s not lost,” he slurs. His arm winds up around his friend’s shoulders, and I think it may be keeping him upright. “She was on her way to my room before you stopped her.”

His friend chuckles. “Even if you could score someone as beautiful as her, I don’t think you’d be able to get it up right now, bud.”

My cheeks warm from the compliment.

“Move over.” Another guy with broad shoulders and a half-unbuttoned dress shirt slides in front of his two friends. I back up immediately because he’s just as drunk as the second guy. “Want a drink, LA?”

“LA?” I move back every time he sways in my direction. I take the drink he hands me before he spills it on my shirt.

He points to my hat with a cheesy grin on his face.

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