Page 21 of Wild Card
“Hack stopped by the deli to pick up some subs. Wendy said she’d seen ya together,” Menace explains, talking like he’s some kinda local now, and I notice Zander’s finally decided to show his face when he steps up beside him, tipping his head at me in an awkward kinda greeting.
“Is there some kinda law against that?” I ask, waiting for someone to enlighten me.
“She’s Brett Preston’s girl,” Byron tells me.
“Yeah… well, she ain’t hisgirlanymore.” I wanna tell each and every one of 'em that she’s mine now, but I know that's taking things too far. If I move things too fast, I’m gonna scare her. Hell, I’m gonna scare myself.
“Is Taint here yet? We got those collections to make,” I remind the boss, deciding it’s best for me to get outta here. I ain’t liking this hostile atmosphere, and the sooner I do the job, the sooner I can get back to the bar.
“Taint’s dealin’ with something right now.” Byron looks shifty as he takes a stool and scrubs his hand over his face. “Hack will go with ya; he knows the ropes and the clients like him.”
“Looks like it’s me and you, Brainiac.” I look over to him and head out the door, leaving the outlaws, whores, and hangouts to judge me.
“So what’s the deal with these collections?” I ask Hack after we pull up at one of the bars on the outskirts of town.
“It’s one of the club’s business ventures. Freda came to Prez with an idea a few years ago. She has the expertise, and we offer the protection,” he explains as we head inside. The place is full of worn-out truckers, and it doesn’t look like it’d see much trouble.
“Follow me.” Hack smirks, nodding to the bartender as he leads me through the back and then up a dark, narrow staircase. Some blonde wearing a tiny pink thong greets Hack with a hug when we get to the top, and he grips her ass hard and winks at me over her shoulder.
“It’s been a while, Specks.” She twists some of his blonde hair around her finger.
“Been busy; how's things been?” he asks as she leads us into an open room where there are lots of other half-naked females, and men that sure as ain’t truckers being entertained by 'em. These guys look more like lawyers and accountants to me.
“Who’s your friend?” The blonde ignores his question and licks her lips as she moves over to me. I look down and watch her slide her long-nailed fingers up my torso, her eyes looking up like she wants to take a bite outta me and wonder why my dick ain’t responding. It seems Ruby fuckin’ Saunders has ruined every other woman for me.
“He’s new,” Hack explains.
“I’m a nomad,” I correct him. ‘New’ suggests that I’ll be sticking around, and I sure as fuck don’t intend on that.
“Sounds dangerous.” She raises an eyebrow seductively.
“Nah, it just means he don’t got no friends.” Hack looks across at me and sniggers before getting distracted by another girl who walks past him.
“Freda around?” he asks as he scopes the room.
“No, but she said to tell you what you came for is in the safe. Help yourself.” The girl doesn’t take her eyes off me as she explains, and I feel no urge to take advantage of the situation. All I wanna do is get back to Ruby. I’ve started to become addicted to that feeling I get when I’m around her, and I don’t trust that ex of hers not to try something sneaky.
“You staying to play?” the girl asks, scraping one of those nails over my stubble.
“Not today, darlin’,” I explain, stepping back to distance myself. I don’t wanna be smelling like whore when I go back to Ruby.
“Shame, I could have had some real fun with you.” She shrugs as she moves on to join the other girls.
“What the fuck is this place?” I ask Hack when he returns from one of the side rooms carrying a thick envelope that he tucks inside his cut.
“Heaven.” He winks, slapping me on the back and leading us back out.
TEN
Ruby
“Brett did that to you?” Esmé stares at me in shock, seeming to have forgotten the part I told her about the state we left her brother in.
“He did.” I offer her a brave smile. “So you can understand why him and me are over?” I’ll bet she’s thinking I should have listened to the warning she gave me when we first started dating. “I hope it doesn’t come between us… and I know what Ash did was wrong, but–”
“Brett’s lucky Ash got to him before I did,” she interrupts me, looking mad and disappointed all at the same time.“He had no right to do that to you.”
“He didn’t, but Ash didn’t have to take it as far as he did. He lost his temper, and you should go check that Brett’s okay. He’s your brother, and I’m pretty sure he’s gonna need some stitches.”
