Page 6 of With This Ring

I quickly step out of the shower and dry myself off, getting dressed in a flash. When I step out of my room, Nico falls in step beside me. He can tell I’m on edge, so he doesn’t crack any jokes or give me shit. He’s been with me long enough to know when I’m not in the mood for games or for him to pop off at the mouth. He also knows the shit I go through with my father and how hard I try to make him proud, even though I’ve never said the words to anyone aloud.

The drive to The Devil’s Den is spent in silence, the streets of New Jersey passing me by in a blur. We blow through the tolls, the EZPass picking up all the charges.

Fucking highway robbery if you ask me.

God, why the fuck am I so on edge? The answer to that is as simple as it is annoying.

Carter.

Fucking Carter. He’s been under my skin for years. Every time I see him, anger surges through me. Looking past how handsome and fit he is because that’ll just piss me off even more. Nothing about Carter should be attractive to me.

We should have killed his entire family off, not sharing our territory with anyone, but for some reason, Pop wants to keep the peace.

It struck me as odd that they were even conversing in a non-aggressive way when they pulled me and Carter apart at the casino. The last time they were in the same room together, they both had itchy trigger fingers, talking through clenched teeth about a tentative truce to avoid wiping each other out. I thought Pop was playing a long game, planning to take them out anyway, but I should have known Pop was a man of his word. Therehasn’t been any friction between our families, other than when Carter and I run into each other.

“Nico,” I say, breaking the quiet. He hums. “Did you hear when Pop told Dominic that a plan had to work at the casino earlier?” I turn to look at Nico, watching the streetlights play across his dark brown face.

He looks thoughtful, then shakes his head. “No, I didn’t catch that. What exactly did he say?” I tell him what I heard, though I might have forgotten a word or two in my embarrassment. Nico shrugs. “Couldn’t tell you. Maybe something to do with their truce?”

“They already have one though. There hasn’t been any real tension between him and Dominic for years. Think they’re fucking?”

Nico’s laugh is bright and loud, filling the cab of the car. “Yeah, like that will happen. Your dad’s ass is puckered so tight, it’s a wonder how he takes a shit.”

I laugh with him, shaking my head, both at his terrible joke and trying to dispel images of my father in that position.

A few minutes later, my driver pulls up to the back entrance of The Devil’s Den. I slide out, Nico on my heels. He checks our surroundings, gun at his side, then motions for me to step inside. The entrance I’m at now is used for members that want to keep a lower profile. I’m a frequent flyer, so they already know me.

After I give them my and Nico’s membership ID numbers and they take our prints, we head inside the club proper.

My nerves start to even out when I take a deep breath, the permanent cinnamon scent strong, but the smell of sex lingering just under it. Fuck yes, this is what I live for.

Men and women walk around scantily clad, or naked, their bodies on display for all to see. I might be gay, but I can recognize a beautiful woman with a nice body and most of thosewalking around have them. No matter the size and shape of any of the people walking around, they exude sexiness. Their confidence to flaunt their bodies with their heads held high always turns me on.

We make our way over to the bar and order a Coke. I wish it was something stronger, but I can always grab a drink when I get home. Right now, I want to empty my balls into someone. There are condoms all around the room that ensure I come until I’m drained dry.

As I sip my Coke, I see a small, dainty man step from the back hallway. He has on tiny lime green hot pants, his warm brown skin almost glowing under the dimmed lights. Even from so far away, I can see his brown eyes flash with mischief. When his eyes meet mine, his lips curl in a small, self-assured smile.

“Him,” I say to Nico.

He follows my gaze and hums in approval. “Good choice.”

I crook my finger to the man, beckoning him over to me. He saunters my way, rocking his hips with every step. I spread my legs on the stool I’m sitting on, anticipating him stepping between them so I can touch his flawless skin.

Before he can get to me, a strong hand circles his wrist. Not possessively, but it gets his attention. When my gaze drags up the man that stopped my date for the night, my eyebrows dip in irritation.

Fucking Carter.

Why the fuck is he here? Wait, is he a fuckingmember? There’s no fucking way he’s a member at my private fucking place. He can’t be intruding on every aspect of my life.

My eyes narrow as I watch my prize grin up at Carter. Carter smiles back, letting the pretty twink’s wrist go, but stepping closer to him.

“You want to have some fun with me tonight, gorgeous?” Carter asks, his silky words drifting over to me.

I see red when the man chuckles, leaning into Carter. I can’t hear what he says but fuck that. I saw him first. He’s mine.

Pushing off the stool, I stomp over to Carter and the fine specimen in front of him and grab the twink’s wrist. The man looks over at me with a wide smile, his eyes sparkling. I bend down to his ear. “You forgot we were going to play?”

He shakes his head. “I didn’t. Give me?—”

---