Page 74 of Falcon's Prey

“You had no right,” I said through gritted teeth.

Ren got up from the chair in an instant. I held my breath, waiting to see what he would do next. It was fascinating watching his face transform in a matter of seconds. He looked serene one second, and full of rage the next. Like a dark sky right before it lit with thunder. He came to stand behind me, and I exhaled. His hands rested on the top of my shoulders, and he slowly brought them down. His right hand curved to my neck. He then glided it up to my chin and gripped it, forcing me to tilt my head so I could look at him.

“I had every right after what you did to me,” he spat.

I turned my head, trying to get him to let me go.

“You survived. Stop bitching,” I said to him, but here I was, not sure if I called what I went through surviving—more like faking it.

Pam and I were talking,trying to figure out which poker game to hit, but my eyes kept going to Ember. After talking to her in the kitchen, I made her stay close—punishment for her, enjoyment for me.

When she started to scratch her arms, I gave her a joint that I had rolled for her earlier. I knew she was in pain, but I refused to give her a fix, not when she was almost over the worst of it

“I mean, with the money we have, they won’t turn us away,” Pam said.

Ember let out a dark chuckle, smoke coming out of her lips as she did so.

“What’s so funny?” Pam bit out. It was safe to say they didn’t like each other.

“You’re going to show up to a table, uninvited, and then rob them under their noses?” She raised her brow at us defiantly. “I’m no expert, but I don’t think that’s wise.”

Pam glared at her. We both knew she had a point, but it was a risk we had to take.

“You have a better plan, princess?”

She didn’t answer me immediately; instead, she took a slow drag of the joint, finishing it off. After she released the smoke, she spoke.

“Zeke.”

“Come again?” I said.

“Every Friday, Zeke likes to host poker games. You know, us rich kids get bored.”

“You’re talking about the dipshit from the docks?” I laughed. “He hates me. He won’t let me through the door.”

“He will,” she assured me.

“How are you so sure?”

“Because you’re going to bet me.”

Before I could say no, Pam spoke up.

“Your whore is good for something.”

“Not happening.”

Ember shrugged it off. “He hates you, but he wants me more. You won’t even need to use money.”

My chest constricted with her words. All I could do was glare at her as she walked away.

“Who is Zeke?” Pam asked.

I told her, and before she could say it was a no-brainer, I left after Ember.

She was sitting on the bed, her eyes closed and her head tipped back, and she was talking to herself. Her lips kept moving furiously. If she was aware of my presence, she didn’t show it.

“What are you doing?” I asked as I walked in and closed the door.

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