Page 13 of Poker
“Fuck,” he mutters.
“Don’t worry. I won’t tell her you missed it.”
When I lower the knife, his shoulders deflate. “Thanks.”
“So, how’s the family?” I ask him conversationally.
“How do you know I have a family?” he asks, his eyes narrowing.
“Seriously? Did you think I wouldn’t do my homework?”
“But…”
“But what?”
“Why?”
Again, I shrug. “I needed to know that Meri was safe, that whoever she hired to have her back would actually have her back and not stab her in it.”
He’s quiet for a minute, his stare assessing. “You like her.”
“And you don’t?” I counter.
“Not like that, no. I’m married… happily.”
“Meri’s good people, and she’s running a business in Soulless Kings’ territory. Chalk it up to protecting my club.”
“Right.”
Before I can respond, the door opens, and the woman in question steps out. “Any trouble with Neero when he left, Conrad?” she asks, not seeing me at first.
His entire demeanor relaxes. “No, ma’am.”
She nods. “Good. Don’t worry about cleaning up. I’ll come by tomorrow and handle it. Go home to the wife and kids.”
“Are you sure? I don’t mind staying a little longer.”
“She’s sure,” I say, startling Meri.
When she levels her gaze on me, a blush creeps up her chest, bright in the security light. “What are you still doing here?”
“I asked the same thing,” Conrad mutters.
“Just wanted to make sure you were okay after Neero’s little outburst.”
Her expression softens. “Oh, well, thanks. I’m fine.”
“Can we talk for a minute?” I ask.
“Sure.”
I gently grab her wrist and lead her away from Conrad. When I stop, I don’t remove my hand, instead keeping light pressure on her pulse point, loving the way it leaps beneath my fingertips.
Careful, Poker.
“You, uh, wanted to talk about something,” she says, almost breathlessly, when the silence stretches.
For a moment, I forget what I wanted to talk about. I’ve got Meri alone, sort of, and all I want to do is lean in and capture her lips in a bruising kiss. Forcing myself to release her and step back, I shove my hands in my pockets.
