Page 7 of The Gangster's Girl

CHAPTER FOUR

Clay

First thing Robbie does when we’re alone in the library is to grab my scotch, two glasses and pour some drinks. Not having him clear minded is only going to serve me but he’s still going to have to drive Ronnie home.

If everything goes as planned, he won’t be driving India. She’ll be staying with me.

Raising my brows, I ask, “Haven’t you had enough? You’re driving.”

He brushes me off. “You know I can handle my liquor. Besides you´re a month younger than me so stop fucking acting like you´re my big brother.” Grinning, he hands me the glass and I take it.

“To friendship,” he cheers and our glasses meet in a chink.

“To friendship,” I reply, walking over to the window and I watch India admiring the flowers together with her mother. The thought of having her all to myself excites me but for it to happen she’s going to have to want me back.

Her parents are attached to her and leaving them might be hard. For much of her life she has supported them, taken care of them when they should have taken care of her. Now, she will have me to care for her. And I will make sure to give her a satisfying life, the kind she deserves.

“What are you looking at?” Robbie asks, sitting down at the small table where the chessboard’s placed.

“India,” I reply. “Have you seen the way she dresses? And you let her walk around like that?”

Robbie shrugs. “Don’t really think about it. She shops wherever Ronnie shops and it’s none of my business how she dresses.” He exhales, adding, “Now are we going to play or are you just going to keep critiquing my parenting skills?”

Walking over to the table, I unbutton my suit jacket before sitting down. Robbie is white, I’m black. Robbie’s is the first one to start.

“I feel sorry for you, Clayman,” he says, moving his pawn. “You’re going to lose this house, you know that?”

Not answering I move my own pawn. Robbie’s a worthy opponent but he’s also naively optimistic. Truth is that I feel sorry for him too. He’s going to lose his daughter to me. And he’s going to lose her fair and square. No cheating, no manipulation, just due to the rules of the game.

“And are you ever going to tell me what it is that you want, if you by some miracle happen to win?”

Giving him a sharp look, I say, “I’ll tell you after the game’s over.”

He doesn’t seem happy with the answer. “Look, if you want me to kill someone for you, just spit it out and quit beating around the bush.”

“I don’t want you to kill someone for me.” I want your daughter to be mine.

“That’s a relief at least,” Robbie sighs before his brows furrow. “I got enough problems as it is.”

“Problems?” I don’t like the sound of that, I don’t want any problems around India. And if I can remove any obstacles for the Penrose’s, I’ll be happy to do so.

“It’s about my kid,” he says and I tense, my eyes turning dry when I stop blinking. “She’s getting...older. And as much as Ronnie and I have tried to shelter her, we can’t do it forever.”

Straightening, I nod in agreement and Robbie continues,

“I know a couple of boys by the lake area have had their eyes on her. They seem alright, they’re around her age and I’m thinking I won’t keep them away from her if they ask her out. What do you think?”

Grinding my jaw, I reply, “I think that’s one of the worst ideas you’ve ever had.” Scowling, I grit, “Lake boys? Are you out of your fucking mind?” I’ve heard some questionable stuff coming out of Robbie’s mouth but this takes the cake.

Looking at me in surprise, Robbie shrugs, “I don’t see a problem with it...”

“I do.”

Robbie frowns. “Good thing you’re just her fake uncle then, not her real one and you’re not her father.”

No, but if everything goes as planned, I will be her husband. She will be my wife and fill this house with my children.

“India needs a real man,” I tell him, “not a stream of fuckboys who end up messing with her head and body.”

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