Page 59 of Queen Of WildCards

Jokerstared down the man in front of him, uncaring that he was outnumbered three to one, or that his assailants hadSpadegod knew where. "Whatkind of information are you after?"

"Informationon some criminal activity that pertains to a business associate of mine."Hiseyes narrowed, lips pursed as he considered his next words carefully. "Ajeweler, as a matter of fact."

Inthe short timeIhad been at their compound,Ihadn't heard any talk about jewels, and they didn't strike me as jewel thieves.Whatdid this man mean, criminal activity involving a jeweler?Andwhy wouldJokerhave that information handy?

"Can'thelp you," he drawled, though his hands moved to his pockets, a moveIknew was designed to hide the tremor in them.I'dseen it a lot in my drunks and my guilty patients.Theyhid their hands because it was the easiest tell to spot.AndJokerwas a drunkanda guilty man, so he had doubly as much to hide. "I'mnot really in the business of information anymore; sorry about that—"

TheKingleaned forward threateningly, grabbingJoker'sshirt in his fist as he yanked them together. "Now, listen here, you little shit—"

"Handsoff him, too.Theoffer to break all your fingers still stands."

Spadesauntered over just then, a scowl on his lips, theSoldatright behind him with a matching grim expression on his lips.TheKingreleasedJokerbut didn't back down.Heturned to his soldier instead, a curious look in his eyes.

"Anything?"

Thestrange, withdrawn man shook his head. "Nothing."

"Hmph."Kingswirled his fingers in a loop above his head, and the other three men fell into place behind him.Hiseyes foundJokeragain, narrowed and menacing as they burned with danger. "Putyour fucking nose to the ground, dog, and find out who took my friend's jewels, who put them up to it.I'llbe back soon enough for your results—and you'd better have them, orI'llhave me a new pet to play with."Hisgaze flicked to me, moving up and down my body in a slow perusal that left me feeling filthy and violated. "AndIplay rough and break pretty things."

Spadegrowled this time, stepping in front of me pointedly.Ifinally curled intoJoker'sarms, perfectly content to be between the wall of muscle and him.Nomore words were exchanged, but the intent was clear.

Hemost certainly meant me.

"Ithink it's high time you leave," my fierce protector ground out, eyes trained on the invaders as they stared each other down.Spadestood his ground, body tense and coiled, ready to strike should he need to.

TheKingscoffed at our little show and turned on a heel, marching off with all the regality of an actual royal.Oncehe and his posse were out of sight, the three of us let out a collective breath, relieved the tense situation didn't come to a worse head.

Jokerfrowned over my head atSpade. "Whatdid the ham-handed one want with you?"

Spadeshrugged, gesturing toward the back of the room. "Amatch and answers."

"Answers?"

Anothershrug. "Hewanted to know whoIworked for, what gangIrepresent in the ring.Itold him nobody, gave him no answers.Hethreatened to beat it out of me next time ifIdidn't come up with something by then."

Joker'sarms tightened around me, andIshivered at the touch.Hedidn't seem to notice, though, and kept on withSpadeas they walked over to the backdoor leading to the parking lot where their vehicles no doubt sat, waiting.

Spadeled us to the sleek black beast in the corner of the lot, his lovely two-seater, and grinned knowingly. "Youbrought your own car?"

"I'mnot letting you wander off with the doc,Spade.Youprobably brought her against her will—"

Spade'slaughter drowned out the rest ofJoker'scomplaints as he opened the passenger side door and pointed at me. "Getin, doc."

Ihad a choice to make here.IfIprotested,Idoubted he'd fightJokerover me, but there was a chance he might.Onthe other hand,Iwassort of coerced here under the guise thatIhad to come.

Ilooked over atJoker, drumming up all the sad eye powerIcould muster. "Idon't want to go with him.I'drather ride with you,Cass."

Spade'sbrows climbed up his face, eyes blown wide at my cavalier use ofJoker'sreal name. "Oh, you two are on a first-name basis?"

Joker'scheeks turned a shade of pink as he cleared his throat, eyes on anything but me. "Inever asked her to call me jack shit, asshole—"

Ispotted a chink in his armor and exploited it like a sonofabitch. "That'snot true.Ido remember your instructions tosay it againvery clearly, on our little video chat."Myeyebrows wriggled as he turned a deeper shade of pink, his hand tousling those soft blonde curls atop his head."Cass."

Spadechuckled and closed the passenger door of his car, swinging the keys around at the end of one finger as his smile widened. "Youheard the lady,Cass; she'sriding with you."Hisgaze trailed over my body, stopping at my eyes, his own flashing with mirth. "Goeasy on him, sweetheart; he's got a soft soul inside that ruffian's body."

"Noted,"Ishot back, suddenly feeling like three kinds of a fool for toying with these men when they were far better armed thanI.

Joker'scar was much more understated, silver instead of black, with a very pointed pinstripe down the sides that added a touch of flair to its sleekness.

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