Page 9 of Mischief Mayhem

They were making him nervous. I could see it even if everyone else was only focused on his pretty face. He’d made some ridiculous vow of celibacy, and the hang-arounds couldn’t do anything except claw at him like hyenas on an injured lion.

That shit was fucked-up.

I didn’t like the territorial way Chelsea looked at him when he’d arrived, like she had a right to his body even if he resisted. When the other one upped the ante, a similar look of possession in her stare, I decided I wouldn’t let that happen.

I knew what it was to put your head down and suffer things your body resisted just to get through it. Hollywood loved this family too much to say anything, loved them enough to spend time with those handsy bitches so that Pollux would have an easier road ahead.

“Nine hundred,” Chelsea replied, and I rolled my eyes, knowing I could wipe the floor with these bitches.

It wasn’t like I sat on a small fortune, but I’d done well with my clients that afternoon, and one had tipped me three grand alone. I could take this much further than she could.

“Fifteen hundred,” I said, relishing the way she opened her mouth and twisted her ugly glare in my direction.

“Two grand,” she said, her high-pitched voice turning into a whine.

“Twenty-five hundred.” I crossed my arms and took a deep breath, waiting to see if she’d balk.

Hollywood opened his mouth and widened his eyes at me, somehow still managing to look pretty with a gaping jaw, and Selene laughed from her spot a few seats down.

“Twenty-five hundred, going once . . .” Ru glanced over the crowd. When Chelsea crossed her arms and frowned, leaning back in her seat, I relished my victory. She didn’t have the cash to match me, and when I glanced back at Amber, her sullen features confirmed she didn’t, either. With no one else going for that amount of money, the audience sat in stunned silence while Ru brought it to a close. “Going twice . . . Sold, to Verona Montgomery for twenty-five hundred dollars. Please see the treasurer to pay your balance.”

Hollywood walked off the stage, adjusting his jacket as he headed toward Coins in the far corner. The MC’s treasurer had volunteered to help with accounting tonight, and when I walked up, he grinned like I was the cat that stole the cream.

“You sure gave those girls a run for their money,” he said.

I whipped out my checkbook to write the information while Hollywood moved around the table to stand beside me. He’d been avoiding me for a while now, and when he’d nearly collided with Chelsea earlier trying to get away from me, I realized we had an issue. He’d looked like he’d seen a ghost and quickly turned away. Now, he stood stiff as a board and more quiet than I’d ever seen him.

“Yeah, well”—I ripped the check free and handed it to Coins—“like KC, I need renovations done and Hollywood’s big and sturdy.” I punched his shoulder like I’d done all my life, but instead of the friendly banter I’d become accustomed to, he only smiled and nodded. That confused me more.

What the hell is his problem?

“Just make sure you watch your back.” Coins nodded to Chelsea and Amber, who stood next to each other with twin looks of disdain. I waved and smiled wider, making a big show of wrapping my arm under Hollywood’s elbow to pull him in tight.

“I’m not worried about them. They’re just jealous.” I blew a fake kiss their way.

Clearly disgusted with me, they both crossed their arms and walked toward the other hang-arounds at the far edge of the platform.

“Besides,” I continued, “Pollux needs the help, so it’ll go to a good cause.” It was the least I could do, and if my brother needed more, I’d gladly give it.

While we waited for Ru to bring everything to an end, I stared up at my “prize.” He swallowed, and I memorized the flat expanse of skin on his neck as it disappeared under his jacket. Hollywood smelled amazing, all man and sandalwood and pine, and he looked even better than usual in his fancy jacket.

“You clean up nice, Hollywood,” I said, “for a street tramp.”

He curled the sides of his mouth into a devilish smile, glancing down to meet my gaze. “Thanks.”

It had been weeks since we’d been this close to each other, longer since we’d made eye contact. Now, as I held that melted mahogany stare, I noticed flecks of gold pooling in his irises, dotting the brilliant earthy landscape with glittering rarity. Like everything else about him, his eyes were mischievously gorgeous.

“You’re welcome.” I fought against the heat snaking up my neck and into my cheeks, telling myself it had nothing to do with that mesmerizing gaze being set on me. No, I’d just dropped a lot of money on a few hours of his time, and I didn’t want people . . . namely him . . . asking questions about that. How could I tell him I’d seen in Chelsea the same thing I’d once seen in Curtis, that same obsession and toxic desperation?

“Hey, little sis!” Castor called, breaking my trance. He was currently setting up the cards and chips on the table in the side room, away from the crowd. “You still in for Texas Hold’em? Or did you blow your load on the big guy?”

“Nope, I’m still in.” I ignored my brother’s innuendo and nodded, glancing back up at Hollywood. “You up for trying to help me make my money back?”

He barked out a chuckle and led the way.

After the auction ended, they put on music and cleared the floor for dancing, but I was more concerned with whipping a bunch of grown men into submission via poker.

“Oh shit, I didn’t think you were serious about inviting her,” Lore said, scratching at his eye patch. “I might as well bail out now.”