Page 11 of Playing for Keeps

Like scolded children who’ve let down their dad, the dozen men lower their heads. I want to smirk at their submission. Except my dad isn’t happy, meaning I can’t find any joy in their behavior.

After the meatheads receive their lecture, Duke heads to his office with me close behind.

“Why are you tailing me like a scared kid?” he asks after shutting the door behind us.

“I don’t know.”

Duke settles into his chair and studies me. “Are you thinking of backing out?”

“No.”

“You know him, right?”

“Yes.”

“So why do you look like you’re terrified?”

“Val is a dream up here,” I say and tap my head as I sink into the chair across from him. “That’s where I figured he’d stay. Now he’s all up in my face and business.”

“A dream, huh?” Duke asks, cocking an eyebrow. “That’s dangerous thinking.”

“Because of the curse?”

“Relationships work better if you come into them with self-control. If you’re already weak-kneed, he’ll own all the power.”

“I don’t plan to focus on him. I’ll just think about saving the club and our town.”

Duke frowns. “Maybe this is a mistake.”

“I want a baby,” I blurt out, and he frowns harder. “Can you imagine how adorable a baby with Val would be?”

Letting his gaze wander around the room, Duke considers my words. He finally shrugs and looks back at me.

“He isn’t ugly. That’s for sure. But if he hassles you or gets aggressive, you tell me, and I’ll end him.”

“And start a war with the Rawkfist club.”

“Sure, why not? These idiots don’t even care. I ought to let the entire club burn to dust.”

His words are filled with anger, yet I also hear the hurt behind them.

“In their minds, nothing is changing. They assume you’ll figure everything out for them. Bad things won’t happen.”

Duke nods, seeming tired. “I need to know what matters to me will be safe.”

“Val Mercer is important to the Rawkfist club. He’s in their top tier. His uncle runs the club. If Charleston starts trouble here, Rawkfist will care more because Val is in danger. We’ll be okay.”

Studying me, Duke is likely putting things together about Val and me. I’ve kept my feelings to myself over the last few months. Clover knew about Val, but she probably didn’t get how much I liked him.Now Duke is wondering what else I’ve kept secret.

Refusing to fess up, I focus instead on my grandmother and sister arriving at the bar. The meatheads have taken off to whine elsewhere. With the bar mostly empty, I settle at a table with Erin and Clover while Duke stands behind the bar top and watches us.

“On a scale of one to ten,” Erin says as she sips her water, “how hideous is your intended husband?”

“It’s Val Mercer.”

“Oh,” is all Clover mumbles while keeping her gaze down.

My sister is a nineteen-year-old tomboy. Clover wears her dark hair around her shoulders and usually covers it with a cap from her extensive collection. She prefers baggy harem pants and oversized T-shirts over her lean frame. She wears combat boots and a nose ring. Guys in high school claimed she was a lesbian, but Clover doesn’t want to date anyone.

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