Page 148 of The Billion Heirs Boxed Set
“One of my mom’s husbands was a hustler.” I rack the balls for the second game. “Taught me everything I know.”
“You know hustling’s illegal, right?” he mutters.
“Did I ask you to play for money?”
“Sorry. I guess I should have mentioned that Peterson over there is kind of a staple at Mikey’s. He’s known as the best pool player in town.”
I chuckle. “So?”
“He hustles here, although not much any longer since he’s run out of people to take money from. The cop bends the rules to suit himself. Man, it’d piss him off if you beat his ass. He’s undefeated as far as I know.”
This time I grin. I can see the interest in Chance’s voice to take the fucker down a notch or two. “Until now,” I reply.
“Bro, you want to break the law with a cop?”
“I can’t hustle for money,” I clarify.
“What the hell is going on in that warped mind of yours?”
“I’m not sure yet. But maybe we can get him off our backs.”
Chance shakes his head. “That’s a bad idea. Peterson is still the law around here.”
“So I spend a night in jail. Shankle can bail my ass out. It would be worth it.”
Chance grins. “Yeah, it fucking would. But then Peterson will be so far up our asses we won’t be able to shit right.”
He has a point. “Fine. It's your turn to break.” I rack the balls.
“I think I need a handicap.”
“Sorry, bro. No can—” I stop mid-sentence.
“What?” Then Chance follows my gaze to the entrance.
Sadie’s here. Still wearing that damned black miniskirt.
And she’s not alone.
14
SADIE
The pool hall is busy. I scan the place like a good cop should as soon as I enter. I take in two things—or rather, two people—at once. Not things, people.
Mark’s here, but that’s not a surprise. Only annoying.
And Miles is here. With his brother Chance.
Shit. My heart leaps at the sight of him and then drops back into place. Back to reality. Why the hell is he here?
Sometimes I really hate small towns.
I stop short and Jake sets his hand on my shoulder instead of bumping into me. Miles’s gaze settles on that action and his jaw clenches.
Jake leans in. “He’s here, isn’t he?”
I nod and move toward the bar. “Yeah.”
