Page 3 of High Stakes

Fuck.I run my hands through my hair. Raff said it would be easy, that she would be putty in my hands, but she really doesn’t seem like the putty kind.

Her dad had told me previously about an ex-boyfriend that Isabella could stay with, one that she had no interest in any longer. But he failed to mention it was the copper, one I know very well. I’m going to kick Raff’s dumb arsewhen I get back to the club. What’s the point in having him do background checks and research, if he misses huge details like that.

“Thought she was coming with, Boss?” asks JP.

“Yeah, me too. Raff’s an idiot. She’s the Ex of Carl, as in Cop Carl.”

“Oh. That’s not good. Do we have a plan B?”

“Who knows what Raff’s come up with for plan B, he couldn’t even get plan fuckin’ A right.”

We arrive at Tremos, my nightclub. I shove open the club door in frustration and it bangs back against the wall, the hinges creaking in protest.

“Raff, you dumb fuck, where the hell are you?”

He appears from behind the bar, topless and pulling up his jeans with a wide grin across his face. I roll my eyes. I’m out pulling in the girl, and he’s fucking about without a care in the world.

“Aid, where’s the girl?” he asks, pulling a blond to her feet. She wipes her mouth then totters off towards the bathroom, butt naked. We all watch her tiny ass before I turn back to him.

“Cop Carl’s ex missus, you mean?” I ask, chucking my suit jacket on the nearest bar stool.

“What? No way, I checked her out, man; she’s never been with anyone. Jake was very clear about her.”

“Then tell me why she’s heading there right now?” I grab a glass and pour a shot of whiskey. I knock the amber liquid back, wincing as it burns, and then I slam the glass on the bar. “I’m running out of time, jackass!”

He buckles his belt. “Her hospital records did show an assault about a month ago, it’s how I know she was still a virgin, cos they checked she hadn’t been raped. Just cuts, bruises and a broken wrist. You reckon that was Carl’s work?”

I shrug my shoulders. “Possibly, she did say he had done something to her.”

“Then that’s it, big man,” smiles Raff, slapping my back, “Swoop in there, rescue the chick from the big bad ex, and she’ll come running willingly.”

I drop my head to the bar and groan. “This is why I don’t do this shit, too much hard work.”

Bella

Carl sits back on the sofa with a huge smug grin across his face. “I knew you’d be back.”

“You're a police officer; you protect people, and right now, I need protecting. But please don’t get it twisted, Carl, we’re not a thing anymore so let’s call this your apology for landing me in hospital.”

“Call it what you want, Bella. Go and unpack your shit.”

I sit on the edge of the double bed, looking around the room in disgust. It’s a typical bachelor pad with black silk sheets on the huge bed, but not much in the way of furniture. There’s a mirror on the opposite wall to the bed and I can only imagine the reason Carl would have it positioned there.

How the hell did I end up back here?Surely, I’d be just as safe with Aria. We grew up together; she owns the bakery where I work and lives above it in a cosy little apartment.

She’s petite like me, standing at just five foot two, but she’s fiery and I reckon she could keep me safe. I smile at the thought. She’s going to screw when she knows I’m staying here with Carl, she hates him.

I met him a few months ago; he was on duty and looked fit in his uniform. We got chatting in Costa and I agreed to go out for a real drink with him. He was charming and funny and the fact he had a great body and a gorgeous face to match, helped. We began seeing each other but Carl got fed up with taking things slow. Three months into the relationship we began arguing, a lot, so I endedthings. He became obsessed with getting me into bed and it was such a turn off.

Last month I bumped into him on a night out, things got ugly fast, and he hit me. I ended up in hospital with a broken wrist. Don’t get me wrong, I’m no damsel in distress. I didn’t sit sobbing whilst he hit me; I fought him with everything I had which is probably the reason I came off worse. Luckily, some security guys from a nearby club broke it all up.

I didn’t press charges, Aria was so mad at me, but I didn’t see the point. Carl is a slippery little fucker; he would have gotten off the charges somehow and I didn’t want the stress of a court hearing with everything I had going on with dad. The thought of standing up in court and explaining that he was pissed off because I wouldn’t give him my virginity, gives me hives. The fact that I’m still a virgin at the ripe old age of twenty-three is embarrassing enough.

I decided cutting contact was the best way. Carl came to see me in hospital and apologised. He loves his job and agreed to stay away from me, and up until this point, he’s stuck to his word.

Aiden

I flick through the pictures of Bella. She really is stunning. Long brown hair going all the way down to her rounded backside. A tiny, slim waist and c cup perky tits. Blue eyes and a perfect smile with lips begging to be kissed. If I were the kind of person to feel, I’d definitely feel something for this beauty.

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