Page 32 of Love Gamble

“Come on!” we all cheer.

He laughs, a little nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’m sorry to disappoint, but I don’t want to die before I’m patched in.”

Smart man.

“Fair enough,” Julianna replies, but low-key sounds disappointed.

“So where are all the single women?” he asks, taking a seat next to us. “Not that I don’t enjoy your company, but I feel like daggers are being pointed at me every time I talk to one of you. And rightly so—you are all beautiful, and if you were mine, I wouldn’t let you out of my sight, either.”

I swallow hard, my mouth suddenly dry. “Well, we used to have more women around, but one of them ended up being a traitorous bitch, and we haven’t really brought new women into the circle. But you’re right, we should invite...” I pause. “All of our friends.”

I share a look with Bella and Julianna, because we all know that we don’t have any other friends.

There’s Julianna’s other sister, Veronica, who we’re cool with, but she’s kind of distanced herself ever since Julianna took over. She still lives with her parents, and Julianna does see her, but she doesn’t really come to hang out. I mean, she was in love with Victor, who the MC did kill. There was also the woman who was supposed to work for Julianna and Bella and ended up being a spy for Rosalind.

Diamond reads the room. “You don’t have any other friends, do you?”

We all burst out laughing, because it’s true.

But we could find some, right?

When my phone buzzes with a text, I wonder who it could be because all of my friends are right here with me.

It’s from an unknown number.

I’m not the monster everyone has made me out to be, Corey. And I AM your brother. Come meet me for a chat.

How the hell did he get my number?

Corey: Why are you here?

Tatum: I want to find out who killed my father. And we got kicked out of our last town, so I thought it was the perfect time. We can talk more in person.

Fuck.

Chapter Fifteen

Damon

The women keep laughing at Diamond, Mr. Magic Mike in the flesh, and suddenly I’m wondering why I gave him one of my votes.

“Whose idea was it bringing a stripper in here?” River scowls, downing the last of his drink. “I’m getting my woman and taking her to bed.”

His departure means I get a little more freedom with Corey without starting a war, so I’m all over that. When she heads inside the clubhouse, I do the same, finding her in the kitchen halfway through packing away some of the food. She’s looking at her phone, a concerned expression marring her brow.

“Are you okay?” I ask her, making her jump a little.

She turns to face me with her hand going to her chest. “You scared me, and look,” she says, showing me her phone. “Tatum texted.”

I read the message, my teeth clenching. “I’m glad you showed me. We need to tell Romeo.”

“I know. Do you think Jag could trace his number from this?” she asks, resting her hip against the counter. “And how the hell did he even get my number?”

“I don’t know.”

She nods. “Yeah, I’ll ask. Maybe we could use this to lure him out somewhere or something?”

Of course her mind would go there.

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