Page 9 of Choices

Gritting his teeth, the asshole throws his cards down and shoves his chair back, making it screech against the tiled floor as he stands. “What did you have?” he demands, jerking his head to the cards balanced between my fingers and thumb.

“Nicolas, let’s get you another drink.” Matt gets to his feet, patting the sore loser on the back, then signals for the cute bartender he hired for the game to bring another round. Her hair is the color of burning embers. Freckles scatter along the bridge of her nose and cheeks like constellations in the prettiest of skies.

“Fuck off, Mick. I want to see what she has,” the quiff fumes, placing his hands on the table as he leans forward. Is that supposed to be intimidating? I think I could take him even while being half cut.

“It’s Matt.” Matt exhales, throwing his hands up in frustration. “Fucking hell, Carnell, we went to school together for six years.” I giggle into my glass, and the blond beside me hurries to scoop up his remaining chips before getting to his feet and skating around the table, putting space between himself and this shit show.

“Is that supposed to mean something?” Quiff scoffs, sneering at poor Matt.What a douchebag. Wait—did he call him Carnell? Carnell…I know that name.

Where do I know it from…?

Sighing, I flick my wrist, sending my cards skittering across the green felt. “Two pair.” I throw my hands out like a magician at the end of a trick.Ta-da, asshole.

“Aces and kings,” someone else pipes up.

Pocket-rockets, motherfucker.

“Cash me out, Matt,” I say, standing, having to lean on Rolex guy’s shoulder. “Oops, sorry.” I snigger when I wobble on my feet. Lights suddenly switch on, bathing the open space in bright white, making me squint. The orange ball in the sky is setting, streaking the sky in rays of red. The view from the floor-to-ceiling windows is amazing, like you can reach out and touch the heavens. It would hurt on the way down if you did, though. Easily twenty floors, maybe more.Splat.

“Let’s play again,” Carnell barks, his voice dousing my buzz.

“Sorry,” I say, shrugging a shoulder. “I have an appointment.” And you’re a sore loser with anger issues.

Michael Carnell!That’s where I know that name.

“Where the fuck do you need to be?”

Wow, this asshole really doesn’t like to lose. I bet it’s because I’m a woman. All the brothers get butt hurt losing their money to me.Sexist pigs. Makes it even more fun taking their cash.

“Not that it’s any of your business, but I’m getting a tattoo.” Cutter always says my body is his when he’s not throwing meaway like a dirty secret. Well, it’s not. It’s mine, and I’ve always wanted a tattoo.

“You shouldn’t really drink before getting a tattoo. Alcohol thins the blood.” The deep baritone sends a warm tremble up my spine. I smile with my teeth at the Rolex doctor Mark guy.

“Good to know, doc.”

“You need a ride somewhere?” Matt asks me, bringing an iPad over, frowning as he watches Carnell watching me. The screen shows the completed bank transfer made to my account. Nice.

“I’ll take her,” Carnell offers, his attitude replaced with a serene smile and a dark flicker in his gaze.

“I have a ride, thanks.” A Tim drove for me.

Daddy still doesn’t like me going out without a chaperone. Many poor Tims have had to lurk outside parties, bars, and malls for years, waiting to drive me to the next location.

“Let me come with. Maybe I’ll get a tattoo too.” He rounds the table, closing in on me.

What’s this guy’s deal?

“Leave her alone, Nic.” Matt sighs, exasperated.

“Mind your fucking business, Mick, or we’ll have a problem.”

It’s matt and you know it, you dick.

Throwing his hands up, Matt takes a couple steps backward, allowing Carnell better access to me. Once he’s out of his line of sight, Matt grinds his jaw and subtly shakes his head in warning from behind Carnell’s back.

Rolex guy grasps my hand and places a kiss to the back of it. “It was a pleasure.” He smirks, getting to his feet more gracefully than I did, and nods to Carnell before his long strides carry him from the room.

“Pleasure’s all mine,” I call out, ignoring Carnell brushing up against my arm. A churning of disgust and mild curiosity stirsmy stomach. The rest of the party disperses to a different part of the penthouse, leaving me alone with the asshole.

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