Page 29 of Bozo

Five hours later and it’s done. I’ve taken almost fifteen million. Tempest and Lorenzo both called it quits earlier on, having both been beaten, Lorenzo by me and Tempest by Pyro. They didn’t take the option to re-buy. Instead, they stayed close by and watched the game play out.

Jerry Houlihan, on the other hand, did take his option to re-buy, and he did so by re-buying in for double his original amount. He lost that within the space of an hour thanks to both Pyro and I taking him out.

Henry, however, was smart. He kept his cards close to his chest and didn’t let anyone know what his plan was. He cashed out when he lost a few million, but he left with some money.

Pyro cashed out with his buy-in—both of them—and called it quits, meaning I was the biggest winner of the night. Something that is a usual feat, but among the players I played tonight, it was a great night.

“You’re smart. Too smart for this shit,” Pyro tells me as we exit the casino. “You ever decide you want to make real money—not just poker winnings—you come find me.”

I raise an eyebrow, intrigued by his words. “And what’s real money to you?”

Pyro’s smile widens. “The kind that doesn’t rely on luck.”

I can't help but laugh. "Alright, Py, let me know what you've got planned."

“I’m looking for prospects," he says simply.

I turn to face him, wondering what he’s talking about.

"Prospects?" I ask, my interest piqued. "For the Fury Vipers?"

Pyro nods, his eyes gleaming in the dim light of the parking lot. "We're expanding and looking for smart, capable guys who can handle themselves. Someone like you could go far."

I consider his words carefully. It's not the first time I've been approached by one of these organizations. The money and power are tempting, but I've always kept myself at arm's length from the more illegal aspects of this world.

But this is the first time I’ve been offered something here at home in Dublin, where I’d be close to Gráinne.

“What does it entail? I don’t want to be dragged into illegal shit that’ll land me in jail.”

Pyro grins. “And what you’re doing at the tables won’t?” he asks, and I tilt my head to the side, conceding that he’s got a point. It’s illegal to play in an unsanctioned casino.

Pyro leans in closer, his voice low. "Look, we're not just some run-of-the-mill bike club. We've got our fingers in a lot of pies—some legit, some not so much. But we take care of our own.You'd start as a prospect and learn the ropes. After that, sky's the limit."

I run a hand through my hair, weighing my options. The poker world has been good to me, but I can't deny the allure of something more stable, more structured. And if I'm honest with myself, the thrill of the unknown is tempting.

"What about Lorcan?" I ask. "I can't just walk away from this." It’s too damn lucrative.

Pyro shrugs. "Lorcan's a businessman. He'll understand. Hell, he might even see it as an opportunity to expand his own operations. Hell, you’d still be able to play games, just as I did tonight. But you’ll do it wearing the colors of The Fury Vipers MC."

I nod slowly, my mind racing with possibilities. "I'll think about it," I say finally.

Pyro claps me on the shoulder. "That's all I ask. Here's my number," he says, handing me a card. "Give me a call when you've made up your mind."

As Pyro walks away, I turn the card over in my hands, feeling the weight of the decision before me. The familiar rush of adrenaline courses through my veins, but this time it's not from the thrill of the cards.

Can I do it? Can I prospect for the Fury Vipers?

TEN

BOZO

I take a sip of the cheap whiskey. This pub isn’t one of the greatest, but the booze is cheap and it’s a little out of the town center so it’s not busy and cramped like a lot of the other pubs.

“You doing okay, kid?” Donal asks. The old, frail man is the owner. This is the pub Dad would come to after I’d won him a lot of money. He’d want to celebrate.

I nod, not trusting myself to speak. Donal's seen people at their worst. He never judges them. He always has a sympathetic ear and a drink ready for everyone. He doesn't push, just tops off their glasses and moves down the bar.

The whiskey burns going down, but it's a welcome distraction from the constant thoughts that are running through my head. Since I spoke with Pyro, I’ve not been able to stop thinking about joining the Fury Vipers motorcycle club. From everything I’ve heard, they’re supposed to be one of the best clubs there is. Anyone I’ve spoken to says they’re fair but you don’t want to cross them.

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