Page 16 of Slayin Villain
How she’d smile when I brought her coffee.The way she traced the ink on my chest like she was learning it.How she hadn’t called or texted since the last time she was in my bed.
I thought about how she didn’t know Ember was in my bed.
I told myself she didn’t need to.
This thing with Ember?Just scratching an itch.Just pretending.Just a cover.
But the lies I was telling?
They were getting harder to keep straight.
And I wasn’t sure how much longer I could pretend that nothing about this was real.
Chapter 6
Kingpin
If I was gonna be overshadowed, I’d set the stage on fire and watch the whole damn club burn.
That’s what I told myself as I stood in the middle of the Royal Road courtyard, half-dressed and already on my second cigar.The sky above Nashville was a dirty orange, the kind of glow that said trouble was coming, probably wearing a cowboy hat and boots that were worth more than Royal Road.
“They think my brother’s gonna steal the spotlight,” I muttered.“They don’t know who the fuck they’re dealing with.”
“Who exactly are they dealing with?”Eve’s voice floated down from the second-floor balcony.Sultry.Teasing.Dangerous.
She wore one of my button-downs, oversized on her long legs, nothing underneath but attitude.Blonde hair twisted up, face still stained from the red I’d smeared across her mouth hours ago.Morning sex was the best.
I looked up, smirking.“A goddamn king, baby.That’s who.”
She leaned on the rail, arms crossed beneath her tits.“Then quit pacing like you’re losing your crown.”
“I’m not losing shit,” I growled.“But I’ll be damned if Bubba rolls back into Nashville with a gospel choir playin’ at the Grand Ol’ Opry while I get stuck with barbecue and limp dick fireworks.”
Eve arched a brow.“You wanna go bigger than the Beau Strick Show?Then you better get creative, Prez.”
“I am creative.”I pointed my cigar at her.“I’m thinking fire breathers.Cage fights.Live branding ceremony for the new prospects.Maybe the sweetbutts.We’ll brand everyone.Something no one sees comin’.”
She laughed.“What, you gonna burn Dimple’s name into someone’s ass?”
“Maybe his woman’s.”
“Does he even have one?”
“Doesn’t matter.I’ll burn Dimple into your ass.It’s all part of the show.”I stepped inside and headed upstairs, voice dropping.“I want a bigger stage.More strippers.A goddamn lion if I can get my hands on one.”
Eve met me at the door, one bare leg sliding between mine as I cornered her against the frame.
“Hush, now.You’ll wake the babies.”
I made a motion like I was zipping my lips.“Where’s Haven?”I asked, almost silently.
Eve whispered.“She’s taking time off.No babysitter this weekend.”
“Where’s she headed?”
“Kingpin, it’s none of our business.She’s of age.”
“I made promises Eve.I promised her Levi we’d watch over his daughter”
