Page 195 of Traitor

"If I win...," he continues, pausing just long enough to make the air thick between us, "I get to strap you to my bed tonight and have my way with you."

He leans back in his chair, stretching, completely relaxed. Smug. Like he already knows how this is going to end.

Oh, hell no.

"You can name your terms," he adds, his voice all smooth and confident, like he's got this in the bag.

My stomach flutters. And for a second, I have the insane urge to let him win.

But then? My pride rears its head. I arch a brow, leaning forward myself.

"If I win," I purr, running a slow finger over the rim of my glass, "I get to strapyouto the bed tonight."

His grin is all teeth. Predatory. Amused.

"You've got a deal."

Ten minutes later...

I'm glaring daggers at him as he drags every single one of my chips into his pile.

It was a goddamn trap.

My mouth opens. Closes. I have no words.

Bones leans back, looking positively fucking victorious. His fingers drum against the table, slow and taunting.

"Don't worry, baby," he murmurs, voice thick with satisfaction. "I promise I'll make it so good, you'll never want to win at poker ever again."

My entire face goes up in flames.

He's turning me into a damn fangirl.

I sit at the bar, legs crossed, waiting for Grizz to hand me my whiskey sour. Bones had to step away, something about a conversation with Ghost. Ria? Nowhere to be found. Which is suspicious as hell. Tank's also vanished. My suspicion climbs another notch because I know there's something between those two, even if Ria refuses to acknowledge it. I never press. She'll talk when she's ready.

I'm lost in my thoughts when Domino and Fang come up to the bar, their voices rising as they argue. Fang is gesturing wildly, while Domino looks ready to strangle him.

"You were supposed to be my fucking wingman, asshole!" Domino snaps, arms crossing over his chest like a pissed-off bulldog. "Instead, you fucking blew it for me completely! Why the fuck would you tell her I read romance novels?! Huh?"

Fang blinks at him like he's the idiot. "Dude, chicks love that shit! I thought she'd fall at your feet!"

Domino's face turns red. "I'm supposed to be a badass biker, not some lovesick college puppy! You completely destroyed her fantasy! And don't even fucking pretend you thought that would help! I saw you smirking, you fucking jerk!"

I choke on nothing, barely containing my laughter. "What the hell are you two even arguing about?"

They both freeze and turn to me, like two kids who just got caught breaking into a candy store. Then, slowly, Fang's face lights up with a shit-eating grin.

"Let's ask Ace here, shall we?" he says, nudging Domino. "She's a chick. She'll agree with me."

I raise an eyebrow. This should be good.

"So," he continues, leaning in, "we both went to a bar last night. Domino starts hitting on the bartender. It was going great. But to help him score, I — being the amazing friend that I am — casually let it slip that he loves reading romance novels."

I bite my lip, trying not to laugh.

Fang throws up his hands. "Which is true, by the way! And isn't that something chicks love? You guys fall all over that stuff, right? I helped him!"

Domino looks like he's about to burst a vein.

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