Page 32 of Bozo

"To new friends," he says, raising his glass.

We clink glasses and drink. The whiskey is smooth, warming me from the inside out. As I lower my glass, I notice Donal watching us from behind the bar. He gives me a small nod of approval.

Preacher leans against the pool table. "So, Connor, Pyro mentioned you might be interested in learning more about the club."

My heart rate picks up and I take another sip of whiskey to calm my nerves.

"Yeah, I've been thinking about it," I admit.

Wrath grins. "Well, you've certainly got the balls for it. Not many people would jump into a fight like that."

"Especially not for a couple of strangers," Preacher adds.

I shrug again. "It was the right thing to do."

Preacher studies me for a moment, his eyes thoughtful. "You know, Connor, the Fury Vipers aren't just about riding bikes and looking tough. We're a family. We take care of our own."

The word 'family' strikes a chord in me. I think about my father, about the years of exploitation and neglect. Could this be the family I've always wanted?

"What would joining entail?" I ask, trying to keep my voice neutral. I’m truly interested. It’s just a huge fucking decision.

Preacher exchanges glances with Wrath. "Well, first you'd start as a prospect. You'd have to prove yourself; show that you're loyal and willing to put the club first."

"And if I do?"

"Then you become a full member. A brother," Wrath says with a grin. “You’d have to be determined, and you’d need to have the balls to stick with it.”

I nod, taking it all in. It's a lot to consider.

“That’s all for another day. Right now, we’re going to play pool. I want to see what the kid’s got,” Preacher says as he racks up the balls.

I smile. This is something I can do. It’s angles and precision. I’ve been playing pool for as long as I can remember. I must admit that I’m a lot more at ease around these guys than I had thought I’d be. But Preacher’s right, today isn’t the day to decide. Right now, I’m focusing on the game. Tomorrow is a new day.

“Connor, that was a good game.”Lorcan grins as he hands me the money I won. “Gotta admit, taking you on was without a doubt the best decision I’ve ever made. You make me an extremely rich man.”

I hear laughter behind me and turn to see Jerry Houlihan grinning as he steps up to us. “You got to him before anyone else could, Lorcan. Na Cártaí Dubha are lucky to have him.”

The organization that Lorcan owns has grown a hell of a lot since I joined them. I technically don’t work solely for them, but when I play poker, Na Cártaí Dubha take a percentage of the profit as they’re the ones who are staking me in the game. It’s a win-win for me as if I lose—which is extremely rare—then I don’t lose money, Na Cártaí Dubha does. But I make them more money than any other revenue they have.

“You poached him when he was a boy, Lorcan,” Jer continues. “No one stood a chance.”

“That’s because the boy is smart and knows what will make him the most money,” Lorcan chuckles.

“That he is. Now, when’s the next game? I’m wanting to win back some of my money. The boy fleeced me.”

I chuckle. That’s one thing I haven’t done. Jer knows how to play and he’s damn good at it. However, Eamon is beyond pissed. He borrowed a hundred thousand from Lorcan, more money than ever before, and he lost it within the first hour and has been seething quietly ever since.

I can feel Eamon's glare burning into my back as Jer and Lorcan chat. I try to focus on the conversation, but my instincts are screaming at me to watch my back.

"Next game's in two weeks," Lorcan says, clapping me on the shoulder. "Same place, same stakes. You in, Jer?"

Jerry nods eagerly. "Wouldn't miss it. Maybe I'll get lucky and the kid here will have an off night."

We all laugh, but I can feel the burn of Eamon's stare. It’s starting to become unbearable. I glance over my shoulder, catching his bloodshot eyes for a moment before he looks away, muttering something under his breath.

"I’m going to head on home," I say, turning back to Lorcan and Jer. "I’ll see you soon."

Lorcan nods, his smile still bright and filled with happiness. He's made a lot of money this evening. No doubt he’ll spend it on expensive suits, much like the one he’s wearing now. "Alright, Connor. We'll be in touch about the next game. Speak to you soon."

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