Page 73 of Hot Tycoons Boxset

I am so deep in my thoughts that I nearly miss the tattoo that adorns the wrist of the man who came to stand next to me.

A small snake with its forked tongue out.

The mark of the Street Serpents.

My heart races as I glance up at the man who is waiting for his beer.

He glances down at me, noticing my stare, and then smirks. “Hello, sweetheart.”

I opened my mouth to say something but a tray is set before us with a loud noise.

Fergus has a hard look in his eyes. “I see you still haven’t settled your tab, Dominic. I would like it sorted out by today.”

Dominic looks vaguely annoyed and embarrassed. “I told you I’m good for it.”

Fergus crosses his arms over his chest, and his black button-up tightens, making me bite my lower lip. “I’m afraid your word isn’t going to be enough this time. And stop bothering the lady.”

Dominic walks away, muttering under his breath, and I feel a twinge of annoyance. “He wasn’t bothering me.”

Fergus glances at me, his eyes narrowed. “He’s not the kind of man a woman like you should be even looking at. His last two girlfriends ended up in the hospital.”

I pale and look down at my plate.

It’s not that I wanted his attention to begin with.

I just want answers.

3

Fergus

She is staring at Dominic again.

She is trying to be discreet, but she isn’t fooling anyone. And that includes the low-level enforcer of the Street Serpents.

He is sitting with some of his crewmates but he keeps glancing over at her, that familiar smirk on his lips that he wears like a brand. No doubt he thinks he is going to get lucky with the woman who can’t seem to take her eyes off of him.

I study Sarah from the corner of my eye.

What I find strange is that not once has she smiled at him. She is watching him like one would a predator, wariness radiating from her.

Is she scared of him?

It doesn’t seem like she is going to offer any information, so I decide to find out myself. Even as I approach her, I warn myself not to get dragged into this woman’s problems.

And yet, I can’t resist.

“So, do you know him?”

My tone is casual, but Sarah jumps, her eyes widening in shock, and she stammers, “Uh, no. I was just–”

She struggles with an excuse, and I raise a brow, waiting.

“Ah, his tattoo. It is… I think it is interesting.”

As she looks at me, we both know she is lying.

My face grows dark. “He’s part of a local street gang. You shouldn’t be mixing yourself with the likes of them. His is a very dark world, Sarah.”

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