Page 20 of Catch a King (Five Kings 1)

“Tell me about Sawyer.” I move onto a more interesting subject and Ruby smiles. “Man, I’d love a piece of Sawyer, but he keeps well away. He’s not interested in the girls on offer, and I’ve never known him bring one back. He must get it somewhere though, but it’s not around these parts or we’d know. Maybe that’s why he goes away so often. I wish he’d settle down here, although by the looks of it, you’ve beaten the rest of us to the front of the line.”

“They’re very different, aren’t they?”

“In a lot of ways, but don’t be fooled, they’re brothers and share the same DNA. Axel too, and I wouldn’t put it past him to slit both their throats when they’re not looking if they go against him.”

“But they’re family, surely that counts for something.”

“To a normal person, yes, not a Channing.”

She lowers her voice. “Word on the street is, the reason no one found Billy’s murderer is because Axel finished him off himself.”

“What the…” I stare at her in shock and she nods.

“Billy was his brother, but like Sawyer and Slade, they ran on different roads. Billy was a renegade, a man with secrets, and if there’s anything Axel hates more than anything, it’s secrets.”

“Do the brothers know what the word is?”

“I guess, although no one’s brave enough to find out. Mark my words, honey, that family has more skeletons in the closet than a history museum. Word of advice, play dumb and don’t get involved in family business and you may just survive getting caught in the crossfire.”

For a moment we just carry on clearing up and I think about Ruby and her life here. I’m sure it’s no different to mine at the Reapers. Tending bar and then one of the guys at night. Just comparing my life to hers though seems wrong somehow and I wonder what her story is.

She wipes the counter with a satisfied smile and grins. “This place hasn’t been so clean in a long while.”

“Yes, it’s certainly looking a lot better.”

She nods toward the kitchen. “Fancy a coffee?”

“Sure.” I follow her out the back to the small kitchen area and as she flicks on the kettle, I say with interest, “So, have you paired up with anyone, Ruby?”

“Griffin.” Her face softens. “He’s a big lump, but he’s my big lump.”

“How did you happen to be here?”

“I just answered an ad for a cleaner. Money was tight and there aren’t many prospects around these parts for a girl with no education. My mom told me about the job going here, so like a fool I applied.”

“It must have come as quite a shock.”

She laughs. “It did. I wasn’t aware of the put out, or pair up rule and the bastards didn’t tell me until two days into the job. Much like you, they ambushed me one night, and I had the choice of three.”

“Who stepped up?”

“Slade, Griffin and Gibbs.”

“But…”

“The scar? Yes, like an idiot, I chose the most attractive one. The beauty that blinds you to the imperfections inside. The outward appearance of a saint and the soul of a devil. I chose Slade Channing because who wouldn’t. He’s a Channing for Christ’s sake and his reputation preceded him. I thought I’d hit the jackpot when he stepped forward, and I couldn’t believe my luck. That lasted five minutes.”

I’m almost afraid to ask but say hesitantly, “Why, what happened?”

I watch her shiver and a look of distaste passes across her face. “I chose him and the next thing I knew, I was naked and being fucked in front of the club.” She turns away and I feel so bad for her because I’m guessing she hated every minute of that. “That wasn’t the worst thing that happened that night.”

She turns and the haunted look in her eyes makes my heart physically ache as she shivers. “He tied me to his bed and beat the shit out of me. He told me I was his and never forget that. He cut me in multiple places and I swear I thought I’d die by morning and then just when I thought I couldn’t stand it no more, he loved me like I had never been loved before. You see, Millie, that man is a sinner and a saint. What he did was unforgivable, any sane person would see that, but he has this way of making a girl forget and crave the pleasure he gives. Even to this day, I have never had a night of such extremes. Pleasure and pain, it’s like a drug that messes with your mind. By the end of the night, I was completely in love with Slade Channing and would have done anything, and I mean, anything for him.”

“So, how did you end with Griffin?”

“A few nights later, I found Slade in bed with Christie. I lost my shit because jealously is a destructive character trait and he just sneered at me. Told me in front of her that I wasn’t good enough to hold on to him. I bored him and he was putting me back up for auction that night. I had a choice to pair up, or put out because he no longer wanted me.”

“I’m so sorry.” I put my hand on her arm and she shrugs. “He did me a favor because Griffin couldn’t be more different. He lacks Slade’s excitement and skill in certain areas, but is worth a whole lot more where it counts. He’s loyal and loving and so god damned fit, I count my blessings every day.”

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