Page 10 of Tastes Like Misery

His jaw ticked, and I knew I had him. This game we played was one I enjoyed, and I knew he did as well. I turned my back on him and got myself a drink, getting Finn another beer in the process. Deciding to ignore the asshole, I focused my attention on his friend, “We were so rudely cut off. I hope we can continue when they leave,” I nodded toward his friends.

He looked at Dane before answering me quietly, “I’m not sure if that’s wise right now. I can kick his ass, but I’d rather not waste the energy. I’ve never seen him like this with any woman.”

I didn’t know whether to jump up and down or take the gun out again. Debating my choices, I giggled, “It would be sweet revenge after what he put me through.”

“I don’t think you really want revenge. A little advice, when Dane or Ollie are willing to give up material things to keep you happy, you should take it,” his words like a cold bucket of water on my desire. Well, fuck. Now I was out more than just the things I lost. My pride was hurt now, too.

“You’re the first man who has ever turned me down,” I mused, trying to keep it light, refusing to show my stupid hurt feelings as I adjusted my shorts, buttoning them back up since my night’s fun was ruined.

“Oh, I don’t want to, Vixen. I want to bend you over this bar and take that sweet pussy of yours. I just won’t do anything to jeopardize the plans I have with them. It’s too important right now. Afterwards, I’d be more than happy to come back and worship that tantalizing body of yours.”

I practically swooned at his admission, my curiosity piqued at these plans they’d all been hinting at. What the hell could three men like them have planned for a little town like this? My burning need for answers made me swallow my pride and try with Dane. If what Finn said was true, he’d be my best route to figure it out. Besides, he owed me for my lost items and the hell he put me through with his game.

Oliver and Finn went to play darts on the leaning machine in the corner, leaving just me and the devil at the bar. Getting Dane a fresh drink, I settled myself next to him on the barstool as I tried to squeeze answers out of him, “You owe me more than just money, Dane. I want answers.”

“I can’t give you answers just yet. You see, we are a team and unless they agree, it’s not my secret to tell,” he avoided my questioning, never losing that cocky attitude I hated to admit I loved. Trouble was my middle name, and he reeked of it, a scent I couldn’t stop yearning for.

“What can you tell me?” I pushed.

“We have big plans and I think you’re just the person to join us, baby girl,” he whispered in my ear, causing goosebumps to erupt on my skin.

“I’m going to need a little more than that,” I ran my finger down his chest, something I knew he couldn’t resist. Smiling as his chest expanded, I stopped when I reached his belt. “You can’t expect me to forgive you for that little stunt you pulled when I’m left in the dark.”

Grabbing my wrist like he did back at the hotel bar, he chuckled, “It’s a dangerous line you walk, Vivian. You have to ask yourself if you’re willing to do anything to feel something bigger than that rush you get when you swipe a wallet.”

I sucked in a breath, my answer so easily coming out because I knew it was what I craved, the thing I’d always needed as much as the air I breathed, “I am.”

“Even die?” his voice was so serious, I knew whatever this was, it was bigger than I could ever imagine.

“Yes,” I answered confidently, knowing what I’d felt with him that night filled a void I’d been missing my whole life. I couldn’t stay in this little shit town anymore. I’d die if I didn’t leave and find that more I thirsted for.

“Good, because I want you with me. I’ll talk to the others.” He leaned in and kissed me, not gentle at all, as if he were leaving his mark on me, claiming me as his. No other could ever give me what he could with the way he devoured me and left me breathless. Before I could say another word, he pulled away, signaling to his friends to leave. I was left gaping at how quickly he left me, not even trying to find out where he would find me to give me his answer and tell me more.

Chapter 7

Ollie

“No way, Dane. We are not bringing in a person you just met,” I slammed my fist on the aged table, punctuating my anger. “We’ve planned this for months. I’m not letting you fuck it up because of some hot little piece of ass.”

Unflinching, at my outburst, he waved my concerns away as if I’d just told him the sky was blue, “Agreed. You know, Ollie, if you would get some pussy, you might loosen up a bit. Just the fact that Rick was almost convinced she told him the truth and wouldn’t run says she’s perfect for this. Find a spot for her. Problem solved.”

“Reginald,” I corrected him, my resolve waning only for a moment. “What the hell can she do that we aren’t already doing?”

This time it was Finn who spoke up, “She knows everything about this town. The people are predictable and she knows their schedules. All of them. That information alone is valuable.”

I raised a brow, interested in what he had to say but still fighting it. Trust wasn’t something I gave lightly. “So? We can find out the same shit just by watching. I don’t trust her. A woman scorned is unpredictable at best. Screwed by Dane, even worse. She’ll want vengeance for what he did.” Narrowing my eyes at the man in question, I added, “You were the one who decided to play a game with her. This is on you.”

“She liked my game,” he scoffed before his expression morphed into something I’d never seen before. Almost dreamy, “Vivian is a match for me. Someone like that is hard to find, and I’m not going to let a great asset go because you’re jealous and want a piece of her.”

Clenching my fists at my side, I tried not to punch the fucker. He was right. I wanted a piece of her, but that didn’t change the fact of how I felt. Dane thought with his dick, if he thought at all. He never stopped to think about the repercussions of his actions, just going with whatever crazy idea he had at the time. It was how he got injured, deciding in the moment to throw away his training and try some new move he thought of on the fly, because being a champion wasn’t enough. He wanted infamy. That little stunt for more fame, to have a move named after him, ended his career. He’d never admit it, though.

I looked to Finn for some backup, “Finn, you know this would be stupid. It’s more than crazy. This isn’t some match where we could lose some money and bruises that will heal. Our lives are on the line here. Our freedom.”

My friend stood up and paced, something he was prone to do when decisions had to be made. Long ago, he was a planner like me, but Dane ripped that right out of him when he ended both of their careers. Whatever fucks he had to give about playing it safe were long gone.

“Well, she is an asset. We can always make up for Dane’s fuck up by treating her right.”

His answer wasn’t what I expected, and I sputtered, “What?”

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