Page 3 of Domino

“Anyone you think will be trouble?” I nod to the waitress as she drops our food off.

“Not that we have on our radar. We’ll keep an eye out to see who flinches when you make your announcement,” Mickey says around a mouthful of eggs.

I nod as I mull over everything.

“You know what you’re going to say?” Rooster holds my eyes a second longer than necessary, putting the full weight of his words out there for me to measure.

I shake my head. “Got a few thoughts. Figured I’d just wing it.”

“Ah, thegood old ‘fuck it’ method. If it’s good enough forYellowstone, it’s good enough for us,” Lucky says with a smile that has the rest of the boys, including me, chuckling.

“Great show.” I moved the rest of my eggs around a bit before I look up and catch each of their eyes. “If I ask you to step up, you willing?”

A takeover doesn’t happen often, but people know it’s a possibility. It’s the equivalent to the threat of you can get fired at a moment’s notice or accused of a crime you didn’t commit. You don’t know when it’ll happen, and you do what you can to avoid it. But when one happens, and at a club level, it means everyone is out and new people come in. If I’m to be acting president, I’m going to need officers at my side I can trust. I might not know these three well, but right now, I trust them more than anyone else up here.

Plus, I trust Casper. If he picked Mickey to be his in-between guy before I showed, that’s good enough for me. And I know enough about him to not tie himself to assholes who’ll screw me over later. At least I hope not.

“Aye, mate. We’re ready to stand with you.”

It’s a somber moment, one that should have theatrical music in the background and not some chick yelling about being right. But as we all turn to look at the person shouting, all I see is a blonde head and another girl blushing pink. Talk about a way to lighten the mood.

“If her friend sounds like that when she yells, can’t help but wonder what she sounds like when she screams.” Lucky goes as far as adjusting himself under the table to prove the effect the woman has on him.

I can’t disagree. Her voice, even if it was just a short thing, seems to have sparked a reaction in me too.

Oh well. Work now, pussy later.

“Let’s go.” I drop more than enough to cover what I’m sure the bill will be and stand. Like Mickey said, no need to drag this out.

Chapter 2—Viv

“Stop staring,” I mumble as I look over the menu. Don’t know why. I’m going to get the same thing I always do. Guess I just want something to keep me busy and avoid what my friend is doing—staring at strangers.

“Girl, you took the wrong seat. We are talking about grade A fine meat at my six o’clock.” Summer isn’t even trying to be subtle about it anymore as she stares away. Poor chap. Once she has someone in her sights, she’s like a bull, running after them till something else catches her eye.

“That’s your twelve o’clock. Six is behind you.” I keep looking at the menu.

“Fine, your six, my twelve. The point is, you need to take a spin in that chair and look at what I’m seeing.”

“Again, stop staring. And I’d rather find something to eat.”

I can see her stopping her spying game to look back at me from over the menu. “Oh please, don’t act like you aren’t getting the lobster and avocado eggs Benedict with extra bacon and a side of potatoes instead of the toast.”

She’s right. Dropping the menu to the table, I stop pretending that I’m going to be anything but predictable with my morning food. Instead, I reach out and grab the insanely large mug in front of me and pull it close while trying not to let a single drop of the liquid inside spill over.

“I can’t believe you ordered that.”

“Yes, you can. You know me so well, after all.” I toss her a grin before I lean down and sip out the warm yumminess inside the cup.

“Right, and hot chocolate is a normal thing to get. Especially in December when it’s cold out. But did you have to order the hot chocolate extraordinaire? They put an entire bottle of sprinkles on that, not to mention a can of whipped cream.”

“Jealous?” I eye her as I bring the drink even closer. Looks like my amazing concoction is the only thing that’s pulled her away from looking at God knows who, though I wish it hadn’t. I’m not the sharing type. More the type to bite fingers off if they get too close, friend or no friend.

“Maybe. But I know better than to ask for a sip. I’ll just have to come back with the kids and get one for us to split.”

“You could order one yourself, you know. It’s not like anyone here would think less of you.”

She scoffs. “You know I don’t care what they think. I just don’t want the extra calories.”

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