Page 95 of Queen Of WildCards

"Shutyour mouth and follow me," he grumbled, his raspy voice setting me on edge.

Nodoubt this man swallowed rocks for breakfast without batting an eye.

Grouch.

"You'rea fucking pleasant one, aren't you?"Ishuffled alongside him, struggling to keep up with his brisk pace.

Whenhe didn't answer me anymore,Ipouted like a petulant child, irritated that these assholes saw me as no more than a fucking pawn in their game.

Andof course, their leader was the foulest of them all.

Tall, moody, and rough nearly threw me in the lap of the other man, and a sick feeling trailed down my spine as he rearranged me soIcould see the ring, his hand at the base of my neck, gripping tightly, like he was afraidI'ddo something stupid, like bolt.

Iwas dumb, shacking up with criminals, butIwasn't death-wish stupid.Notanymore, at least.

"So, we meet again,MissStanton," he purred in a voice that no doubt had other women dropping their panties like whores desperate for a dick, but all it did to me was set me on edge, made me grind my teeth asIwas made to feel like a toy. "Tellme, what brings all theWildcardsout in force tonight?Wasit because they're planning something against theKings?"

Iscowled at him and let out a low growl, hoping to imitate that dangerous glintSpadealways had in his eye before he laid into an informant who crossed him.Iprobably fell short, but what the hell.Itwas worth a try.

"Fuckyou, asshole, we're here for the fights,"Ispat as he laughed at my piss-poor attempt to intimidate him.Outof the shadows emerged the other two who'd been with him the last time we had the misfortune to run into each other, and my eyes blew wide whenIrealized the dangerous one who didn't talk much wore clothes very similar toSpade'sring gear.

Fuck, was he planning to fight him?

Spadedidn't stand a chance if they came to blows, as much as it pained me to admit it, even just to myself.

"What'sthe big idea, fuckwads?"Icomplained loudly, hoping the others would hear me and swoop in for the save.Atmy little outburst, the leader tightened his grip on my throat and yanked me back against his chest, my neck bared to his gaze, submissive and pliant against my will.

"Ifyou enjoy being able to speak,MissStanton,Istrongly suggest you keep your pretty mouth shut unless you're asked a question," he growled, his eyes narrowed in on my pulse point. "Yourswouldn't be the first throatI'veripped open with my teeth."

Fromthe way his eyes gleamed in the dim lighting reflected off the ring,Ihad no doubt he'd do it without a second of hesitation, soIclammed up, self-preservation kicking in for a change.

Thatdeadly smile curled upwards like a slithering snake at my obedience. "Whata well-trained bitch theWildcardshave.Smart, too.PerhapsIshould get myself one."

Theirfighter stepped forward with a warning growl, and theKingwho had me in his grip growled back, much like two alpha males fighting for dominance in a dog ring.Whateverhappened between the two of them was over before it even began, andIwas being turned on the asshole's lap to face the ring, hand still firmly at the base of my throat.

"Watchyour man in the ring.It'llbe the last time he wins before my soldier gets to him and rips his head from his shoulders to prove a point."

Spadein the ring was always an enigma, andIcouldn't help but be enthralled by the way he danced around the ring today, the vibrancy in his step only outweighed by the almost-childlike excitement of being back in his element again.Hedelivered two heavy-handed swings to the side of his opponent's face and was quickly declared the winner of that bout and the next.Itappeared the challengers today were of a weak caliber, and he'd barely broken a sweat as he plowed through them, one by one, his confidence building with every swing.

Theannouncer boomed over the shouts of men placing new bets or collecting on old ones, throwing the whole room into a strange, pregnant silence at his announcement.

"Wehave a new challenger for the reigning champion—Soldat,undefeated in his own territory, versusSpade, two-year reigning champion and house favorite.Twominutes to place bets, folks; get them in while you can!"

Everynerve ending in my body was on fire at the thought ofSpadegoing toe to toe with one of the most dangerous menI'dever met.Still,Icouldn't do more than sit still and watch as their brawler stalked over to the cage and stared my fighter down, his dead stare more intimidating than any bluster he could have put on.

Spade'seyes flickered from theSoldierto his leader, and when those gorgeous, expressive eyes fell on me, he simultaneously let out a breath of relief and sucked in one of fresh panic.

Iwatched his eyes lock on mine, and his whispered promise fell from lips that were split but still readable, their intent clear as day.

BehavewhileIbeat this prick's ass.

Icould practically hear the maniacal laughter accompanying the declaration in my ear, and a little giggle escaped me beforeIcould rein it in, angering the man whose hand tightened in response.

Toobad for him thatAceandSpadechoked me harder when they were fucking me raw.

Thesick fuck was getting hard beneath my ass as he watched the two opponents size each other up like slabs of beef at the butcher shop, and it took everything in me not to gag at the feel of him.Jokerhad wanted to see me dressed up, but for the first time in a long while,Iregretted my choice of clothing.

Ifthis piece of literal garbage put his hands any more on me,I'dcastrate him and damn the consequences.

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