Page 11 of Filthy Hot

“Ready?” Atomic asks.

We brought up the whole plan with the club, put it up for a vote, and it was approved. Not one person thought it was a bad idea, probably because of the strip club in the back of Sal’s, and expanding that is something they’re all interested in.

Throwing my leg over my bike, I walk behind Atomic into the bar. It’s quiet. No patrons have arrived yet, and as we move farther along the bar floor, I pause at the sight in front of me.

Sal is standing in front of the bar, his head tilted to the side as he looks down at the clipboard in his hand.

But that is not what has me pause.

It’s who is standing next to him.

She’s fucking beautiful.

I’ve never seen anyone so goddamn gorgeous in my entire fucking life. She’s got long dark hair that has loose curls and a body for fucking days. She looks young, maybe in her early twenties.

Fuck me, but she is downright perfection standing in tight black jeans and an even tighter tank top. The top is so tight I don’t even know if she’s wearing a bra. But I want to find out… immediately.

“Fuck,” Atomic hisses. “And another one falls.”

“Falls?” I ask, not looking away from her.

He hums but doesn’t elaborate. Instead, he takes another step forward, clearing his throat. Sal lifts his head, a smile appearing on his lips as he does. I don’t look anywhere but at the girl. I watch as she slowly lifts her head, her eyes flicking from Atomic to me, and when her gaze lands on mine, I hold it.

I watch her as she sucks in a breath, her chest puffing out slightly, making her tits look even bigger. She presses her lips together, rolling them once before she releases them. There is a moment of silence, and I can’t help but wonder what she’s thinking as she watches me.

Then Sal throws up his hands. “Welcome, boys. Come to my office,” he shouts. He takes a step forward, then another, before he jerks his chin toward the girl. “I’ll be back in a few. Go ahead and count the beers. Make sure we have everything fully stocked in the fridge. If not, get some from the back room to load them up.”

“Okay,” the girl says with a soft smile.

“Now, boys, let’s talk about this,” Sal announces as he makes his way to his small office.

It’s probably just a broom closet, but he’s made it his own space, not wishing to use too much of the actual building forhimself. It’s standing room only for anyone who isn’t him. The whole thing makes me laugh, but I know why he did it. I know he didn’t want to take away any room from the gambling area or the strip club room.

“We like your idea,” Atomic begins.

“You do?” Sal asks, though I don’t understand why he’s asking. He knew it was a good deal from the start. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have offered it to us. Anyone would be stupid not to take it.

Atomic hums. “I do, but I have one bone to pick with you,” he says.

Before Atomic can say what the issue is, Sal speaks. “Southern Mafia. I know. Honestly, I thought they were just going to be a thorn in my side that would eventually dissipate.”

“Did you make a deal with them?” I ask.

Sal shakes his head slowly. “No, that’s why I wanted this meet. They’re trying to force my hand. I want nothing to do with them, but they run gambling in Louisiana and want to expand. I’m the closest, most successful in a few-hundred-mile radius, too. It’s their way into Texas.”

“Good,” Atomic murmurs. “I don’t want anything to do with them, as far as trying to fight over a deal that’s already been made.”

I almost,almostsay something under my breath about Atomic’s woman, Ryan. Because that’s exactly what happened. Although, I don’t blame Ryan at all for what she did or the way she did it. She had it rough as a kid and as an adult, too. But then again, haven’t we all?

“Then we have a deal?” Sal asks.

Atomic holds out his hand, and I take the contract out of my inner cut pocket before I place it in his palm. He curls his fingers around the three-page, simplistic contract before he turns to Sal. Slapping it down on his desk, Atomic laughs.

“We have a fucking deal, Sal.”

CHAPTER

FIVE

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