Page 72 of Pawn's in the Bishop's Game (Checkmate 1)

How much of a pussy would I be if I ask to opt out?

How many bullets will rattle inside my skull if I say no?

Lots. The answer to both islots.

Holding the sixteen-year-old close, I step to the mirror and take the unfurled note. With one eye on Abel, another on Flynn, and somehow, another on Jay as he picks a new girl and drags her toward the door, I lean over the mirror and pray today isn’t the day it all goes to shit.

The girl beside me cries. She knows her fate; big ass fucker snorting a line of coke, her hand clasped in his. She knows what comes next, and she knows what happens when that guy comes down from his high.

Closing my eyes and thinking of Jess, I block one nostril with my finger and pull the line in through the other.

Bolts of electricity race through my veins when the powder hits the wall of my nose. My heart races, and my hand reflexively tightens on the girl’s. She cries out at my strong grip, but I can’t let go. My central nervous system trips out as my synapses go on hyperdrive.

Standing tall and pulling the girl under my arm, I open my eyes and come almost nose to nose with Abel-fucking-Hayes.

“Good?”

It’s all about perspective, motherfucker.

I nod and simply reply with, “Yup.”

“You want some, girlie?” Abel’s hand slides along the teen’s collarbone and sends her skittering closer to me. “Want a line? It’ll help when you leave with him. Not only won’t you be sad to give it up, but you’llenjoythe fuck out of it.”

“No. Don’t give her any.” I pull her in until my arm almost chokes off her air. My nose itches. My top lip tingles. “She’s too fresh. Too small. She’ll die in your club. I wanna fuck her first.”

Laughing, he taps my chest and steps back. He pulls out the money clip a second time and takes a fresh bill for his own line. “You make it sound like you’re looking out for her. I know you, Bishop. I know the real you deep down inside that black heart. You like it when they cry. You want her to feel the pain.” He leans over his line, but pauses and waves toward the door. “Go. You’ve bought a night of freedom. A girl only loses her virginity once, so make sure she feels it for the rest of her life.”

“Let’s go.” Holding his bag of dope, Jay waves us toward the exit. “We got a party to attend. Me, you, and two tight cunts. Move your ass.”

“Oh, hey, Bishop.” Abel tosses a party bag against my chest. “You earned this. Enjoy.”

Cocaine slams around inside my brain and pumps me the fuck up. I push the bag into my pocket and wink. “Thanks,amigo. I was pissed at you yesterday. My face still fuckin’ hurts.”

Laughing, he claps me on the shoulder and steps aside when one of the other women step up for their line. “I know, brother. But a girl and another hit will help you forget your face, I promise. Now leave. I wanna fuck a blonde.”

“Mmm. Me too.” I squeeze my virgin’s neck and lead her toward the exit.

We brush past all the fuckers with guns, but I’m not scared. My muscles grow with each passing second, my blood runs hotter, my heart races faster.

Moving onto the iron staircase and processing each individual clip of our boots on the steps, I forget about the dead girl as our party of four descend back into the main area of the club.

We’ve done this before. We’ve partied before.

And like we’ve done this a thousand times, we lead the ladies straight to the room we’ve used every other time Abel has tested us.

“Stop crying, Blondie.” I shake the crying girl and think of sinking deep inside Jess. My heart sings for her. My blood pumps only for her. “Stop fuckin’ crying.” I shake the girl under my arm when she howls. “The more you cry around here, the more people hurt you. You’re ruining my fuckin’ buzz.”

“Please let me go.” She angles away from the doorway as we push through crowds of people. “Please just let me go.”

“Why’d you come here, Jess?” I don’t look down when I speak, instead I watch Jay ahead of me. “Why’d you come here? I warned you to stay away. I left you in my bed with your pretty hair and sexy butt cheeks, but you came out anyway. This is what happens when you don’t listen. I’m only trying to protect you, beautiful. I don’t want anyone to hurt you.”

“Please let me go.”

Stepping into the dark room, Jay pulls a handgun from his belt and waves it in the air. “Get the fuck out, cocksuckers. This is our party now, and none of you motherfuckers are invited.”

My dick crushes against my zipper when I catch a flash of platinum blonde hair and creamy white skin. Three men and one sexy fuckin’ blonde race around the room and collect clothes.

“Please let me go.” Choking on her tears, my virgin digs her nails into my arm. “Please just let me go.”

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