Page 2 of Ruthless Mafia Daddy

God.

“Lately, I really like Weezing. He got a new ability last generation called "Neutralizing Gas" that removes the abilities of all other Pokémon on the field. So, you can negate some beneficial ones from your opponent. Or negate some negative ones from your side.” His smile is all for himself. “There is also Ogrepon. She’s adorable and wears a mask but is super powerful. Her stats are just really good and her ability and typing change based on which mask she is wearing.”

Breathe. You have only…

My eyes fly to my phone again, and I have to swallow a groan.

How is it that there is still one minute and eighteen seconds to go? This thing has to be broken. There is no way time is moving this slowly.

Can I wear one of those magical masks and teleport out of here? Or maybe have him ooze back to where he came from?

“Back in 2016 when I was in the tournament, I was able to predict how I could lose if a certain Pokémon went down. So, even though I was about to go down to one Pokémon, I was able to preserve the ability because the big thing was weather control that year. And since I preserved that Pokémon, I made it to where I still won the game one V. two because I had won the weather war.”

“Uh, that sounds…” I have no idea how to finish that sentence, so I just glance around the bar.

Is there a clock around here somewhere?

I don’t find one.

“So, the big Pokémon back then were Kyogre, Groudon, and Rayquaza and they all had the ability to mega evolve. Kyogre's ability was called Primordial Sea and summoned the rain on the field for as long as it was out. Groudon had Desolate Land which summoned the sun, which usually weakens water and powers up fire, you know, but Desolate land negates it. Those were cool.”

Man, I’m the desolate one. Why me?

I need a drink. Or ten.

My eyes find the glass of red wine in front of me, untouched after that first sip.

It tastes like paint thinner.

Dirk insisted on paying, but only after confirming the cheapest option on the menu.

Can anyone say red flag?

Seriously, where did Cassi find this guy? Craigslist?

Do I really seem that desperate and alone?

The thought makes my stomach churn.

“But the weather wars would happen because if both players brought out their primal Pokémon in the beginning, the faster one activates their ability first, and then the slower one activates the ability. So, the slower one would win the weather war on turn one, because they get to keep their weather.”

“That’s, uh…nice.” I force a smile.

Twenty-seven more seconds.

“Any time you’re ready, Cassi…” I mutter, letting out a long breath.

Glancing around the bar, I can’t help but notice the dozens of happy couples drinking cocktails and roaming their hands all over each other—not caring they’re in the middle of a crowded bar. Because when you’re in love, the rest of the world seems to disappear.

I thought I had that with Sam.

I was wrong.

I’ve been let down one too many times by the men in my life—each one leaving a crack in my heart—and Sam was the catalyst that finally shattered it. And no amount of cheap vino and Ben and Jerry’s has glued it back together.

Work has been my refuge. Started there straight out of college and over this last year, I’ve managed to be promoted to executive assistant to the CEO.

Who needs a man when I have a laptop and a corner office with a view of the Hudson, right? That and a fucking good vibrator with ten settings.

---