Page 34 of Little Bird (Advantage Play 3)

Cautiously, I make sure he’s really out then cuff him to the chair.

“Goodbye, Sei. Hope you enjoy prison.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

Regina

Once Dex disappears, I’m left with a growing sense of unease as I listen to the men surrounding the poker table. One mentions a delayed import that is causing him issues with the Mexican cartel. I assume he means drugs. Another brings up basketball and his money laundering business that he hopes will be more successful this year. I almost roll my eyes, growing more bored by the second when movement by the entrance grabs my attention.

With a girl on his arm, my brother appears over the threshold, and it takes me a second to recognize his guest for the evening.

My jaw drops.

What the hell is she doing here? I think to myself, my breathing growing more and more shallow by the second. My gaze shoots to my brother, but he’s too busy assessing the entire room to notice me. I guess I shouldn’t be that surprised. He’s here for one reason, and even his little sister won’t distract him from finding success.

“Gentlemen, I’m glad you could all make it,” Burlone starts, distracting me from Ace’s terrified expression. My throat tightens, but I try to concentrate on what he’s saying. “Now, as you all know, the rule is a simple winner-takes-all format. However, while I’ve been gracious enough to prepare your women for you, none of you have compensated me for my efforts in acquiring them. Instead, you requested to pay in person this evening before the official tournament started. As you all know, this is highly irregular, but I’ve been generous enough to comply. Well, gentlemen, the time has arrived. Now, if you will….” His voice trails off as he motions to the table, silently asking the slimy assholes willing to sell and buy women sitting around the table to pay up.

No one moves a muscle.

With my heart racing, I watch my brother while assuming this was his doing. He doesn’t move an inch. And neither does anyone else.

Clearing his throat, Burlone tries again. “I’m sorry, were those instructions confusing? I mean, I know there’s an open bar and all but—” He chuckles awkwardly at his pathetic joke while the rest of the room stays motionless.

“You’re awfully insistent we pay up,” the man to my left mutters under his breath.

With his salt and pepper hair slicked back, the stranger is busy fiddling with his hands as his gaze springs around the room in search of backup before landing firmly on Kingston, who looks like a freaking statue. Clearly, my brother is biding his time. I just don’t know what he’s waiting for.

Speak up, Kingston! I want to shout, but I keep my mouth shut tight. And where the hell is Dex? I peek over my shoulder but don’t find him.

“Excuse me?” Burlone scoffs. “Dex, escort Mr. Carbonne from the premises.” At the mention of Dex, I continue my search with renewed fervor while trying to look inconspicuous. Burlone adds, “It seems he’s misunderstood the dynamic of our relationship. But don’t worry, I’m sure we can find a way to rectify that as quickly as possible with a little persuasion.”

Mr. Carbonne, however, gulps loudly before tugging on the collar of his button-up as if it’s choking him. I want to laugh at the irony since the girl behind him is literally wearing a collar too, just like the rest of us women in the room.

From the shadows, my savior appears with a cocky smirk that makes me want to melt. Casually, he rests a handgun at his side. “Apologies, Mr. Allegretti. But I’m afraid I can’t do that.”

“Excuse me?” Burlone turns in his seat with a glare, searching for Dex around the perimeter of the room. When he finds him, his gaze narrows.

“What the hell are you doing?” Burlone grits out.

“Nothing.” Dex shrugs. “Just making sure to keep everything in check, which means Mr. Carbonne gets to stay here for a bit longer.”

“Have you forgotten your place, Dex?”

“No, I’ve found it,” he returns, his eyes finding Kingston’s for a split second before returning to Burlone. But it’s long enough for Burlone to start piecing things together. His mouth opens in disbelief.

“Sei!” Burlone shouts. His neck snaps to the front of the room as he searches for his other loyal soldier, and I find myself doing the same thing, but he’s nowhere to be found.

“I’m afraid Sei’s not available at the moment,” Dex adds conversationally. “And neither are the rest of your men.”

“What the fuck did you do?”

“Just taking out the trash, Burlone. And those that didn’t need my assistance in disappearing were generously compensated. I’m sure you understand,” Dex explains. Motioning to Kingston, he adds, “Boss, I think now would be a great time to step in.”

Kingston chuckles darkly, gaining the attention of everyone in the room as the spotlight shifts from one man to another. I don’t miss the way Dex calls him boss, and I’m positive everyone else here heard it loud and clear too.

“I dunno, Dex. I think this is rather entertaining, don’t you?” Kingston finally voices. Not a single person utters a word. They’re all too engrossed in the scene unveiling around them. Just like me.

“What the fuck is going on?” Burlone bellows angrily. He’s sweating like a sinner in church, and it takes everything inside of me to keep my expression blank when I want to grin at his discomfort.

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