Page 40 of War

However, I will be watching Rome closely all night.

Because if he thinks he can move me around like a pawn on his chessboard, he has another thing coming.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

ORA

After dinner, we move to the bar, playing pool and having a few drinks. When Daisy, Rose, and a few other club girls step into the room, I control my reaction. I understand this is part of their life, and I can’t act sour every time I have to be around them. Still, I ignore them as much as I can, kicking Lore’s butt once again.

“You’re a pool shark,” he mutters, shaking his head. His hair has come slightly loose out of his man bun, and he looks like one of the men on the covers of my books. One of the club girls sits on Rome’s lap, and my nose wrinkles as I look away. “Want to play doubles? Haze and Angel just walked in, and we should take them for all they’re worth.”

War took Ghost, and the twins with him, and it’s kind of quiet without them here. Scorp is sitting with Rome, but he’s ignoring the women who try and get his attention. Daisy comes up behind him and wraps her arms around his neck.

“Sure, I’ll play a few more games, and then I’m going to bed,” I say, my eyes narrowing on Haze as he approaches.

“Me and Ora, against you two,” Lore announces, putting chalk on his cue.

“We’re going to kick your ass.” Haze smirks, his amber eyes amused.

“Want to bet on that?” Lore replies, and the man has a good poker face, let me tell you. They all throw some money in, typical men, unable to say no to a challenge. Angel doesn’t say much, but I feel his eyes on me in between his turns.

We win the first game, and Rome and Scorp come over to watch.

“You know, Ora. Scorp was at the top of his class in med school,” Rome starts, crossing his inked arms over his chest. “And he lives by the beach. He surfs too.”

Lore and I share an amused look. This feels like an interview.Does Rome really not want me with War, his own fucking VP?

“Really? I love the beach. I don’t think I’d be good at surfing, though,” I reply, bending over to take my shot. One of the men makes a sound deep in his throat, but I don’t know which one. Lore does a little happy dance, which involves thrusting when I sink two balls.

“Maybe Scorp could give you a lesson,” Rome adds, shrugging like it’s a casual suggestion and not an evil plan to get me away from War.

Handing Lore my cue, I study my father. I want to call him out on this bullshit, but now isn’t the time. Wewillbe having this chat in private. Haze comes to stand next to me. I turn my focus onto him. “So you and Lu used to be neighbors.”

He runs his hand over his short brown hair. “Yeah, we did.”

“Did you recognize her when you saw her at the clubhouse?” I ask, trying to figure out where his head is at with her.

He doesn’t want to talk about Lu, but it only makes me more intrigued.Is he interested in her or not?He wets his lips before he speaks, “Yeah, when she walked up to me, I did. You don’t forget a face like that.”

“Then why…” My brow furrows. Why did he reject her, go off with other women, then come back and demand to be the one to drive her home, only to not even speak to her on the drive?

And they say women are complicated.

Daisy comes and rests her hand on Haze’s chest, stroking it down his white T-shirt. “Fuck, babe, you’ve been working out, haven’t you?”

He doesn’t stop her but doesn’t pay her much attention either. At least that’s what I think until his hand reaches down to absently squeeze her ass.

“You men really are like brothers,” I announce, wrinkling my nose. “Sharing everything. Women. STDs.”

“Shut the fuck up, bitch,” Daisy snaps, losing her cool demeanor. “You’re just jealous. I fuck War better than youevercould.”

“Well, you are a professional club whore, so I guess you do have more experience.”

She steps forward, raising her hand to slap me.

Rome grabs it before she has the chance. “You lay a hand on my daughter, and you will never step through those doors again. You get one chance, Daisy. You understand me?”

“Yes, Sir,” she mumbles, ducking her head.

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