Page 34 of Kings Against the World

“Ah!” I squeak, jumping in surprise. The pair of panties almost slips through my fingers until I clench them shut and catch the clingy fabric at the last possible second. “Can you not do that? Were you pretending to be asleep?”

He props himself up by his elbow, a sleepy grin slashed across his face. “Morning to you too, babe. Where’re you off too?”

“I got a text from Benz. He wants me downstairs in the casino. Probably to set up for the party tonight.”

“Lemme throw some pants on. I’ll come with.”

“I’ve got it,” I say offhandedly, collecting the rest of my outfit. I’ll be keeping it casual ’til Benz demands otherwise. Jeans and a t-shirt are far from the club uniform of a belly-baring cropped top and teeny tiny mini skirt, but they’re infinitely more comfortable.

Ozzie still seems like he wants to come with me as I emerge from the bathroom dressed and ready to go.

There’s something slightly… endearing about how he looks watching me go. The gel has worn off his normally stiff and spiky mohawk, causing his hair to droop almost like puppy dog ears. His body language remains slack and relaxed, though his expression tells a different story—it reads as concern he’s probably used to playing off.

I avoid looking at him as I mutter goodbye and head for the elevator.

Benz is already waiting in the casino lobby. He’s alone, dressed much more nondescript than usual in a simple polo and khaki shorts. I’m so used to his gaudy gold, baroque printed shirts that I almost don’t recognize him. He flags me down once I’m several paces away.

The casino’s surprisingly crowded for being half past nine a.m. The slot machines ring nonstop and the air reeks of the chemical blend of cigarettes and lemon air freshener. I cut a direct path toward him wondering if any of the other girls like Sugar or Venus will be joining us.

“There you are, Jade,” he says, grabbing at my elbow. “Let’s find somewhere private to talk.”

I pull my arm back from his reach. “About what?”

“About the fact that I know what you’re up to. You’re the police informant.”

10

ZOE

“Have you seen my girlfriend?”Ozzie asks abruptly. “She’s tall. Beautiful but usually wearing a scowl. Her hair changes often, but she’s got very,verylong legs.”

I look up to find Ozzie at my side. I haven’t even had a chance to answer the accusation Benz has hurled at me. On the inside, my pulse has elevated and I’ve become acutely aware of a sudden tightness in my chest. Benz is staring at me shrewdly,cockeyedas he looks me up and down.

He’s about as startled as I am that Ozzie’s shown up so suddenly.

Neither of us can do anything but blink for a few seconds. The vulturous grin wipes off Benz’s face as he seems to realize this situation won’t go as planned. He won’t be able to accost me like he thought.

“Oz…” he trails off. “What are you doing here?”

Ozzie shrugs, then throws an arm over my shoulder, pulling me against his side. “What does it look like? Came to find my girl. Is that a problem?”

Benz’s bushy brows jump high on his forehead and he quickly shakes his head. “Of course it’s not… I was just…”

“’Cuz I was wondering why you’d want her down here when she’s not even scheduled to work ’til tonight,” Ozzie continues in a tone that strikes a strange balance between being casual and threatening. “You’re not taking advantage of her, are you, Benz?”

“Never… I wouldn’t…” he stammers, looking between us.

Ozzie grins. “Good. Whatever you say to her, you can say to me. So go ahead. What were you telling her?”

“It wasn’t important. Just work.”

Benz catches my eye briefly before he mumbles something else about tonight’s shift starting at seven, then he’s rushing off. He purposely wedges himself in between a bachelorette group that’s just arrived at the casino to hit the slots, effectively disappearing within seconds.

I wait until I’m sure he’s gone before I slide out from under Ozzie’s arm and give him a shove in the chest.

“What do you think you were doing? Why did you follow me?”

“Were you listening? You’re my gir?—”

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