Page 36 of Of Grief And Gratitude

“I’m flattered, but that’s not my thing, O’Connor,” Romeo said smoothly.

“Get out,” Sean demanded, pointing toward the door. “You have no business being in my establishment. You’re walking a fine line right now, Neretti.”

“On the contrary.” Romeo wrapped his arm around my waist and tugged me to his side. “If you haven’t seen the news, let me be the first to tell you that my business is Riona.”

“You’re with him?” Bryce sputtered.

There was no use denying it. Romeo wouldn’t let go. His hand had wandered down, fingers hooking through a belt loop on my jeans. He arched a brow at the shorter blonde man and cocked his head to the side. “What have you been up to tonight, Riona?”

“Hey, I demand a rematch,” Grigory said, slapping the side of the pool table. “You tried to cheat us!”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Sean grumbled, running a hand down his face. He rolled his eyes at his sister. “Can’t have cheating in my pub. Rack the balls. Each of you shoots until you sink the eight ball. Whoever sinks the eight ball in the least number of shots wins.”

“I’ll shoot,” Sloane said, eyeing Romeo with slitted eyes.

“The hell you will,” Grigory protested. “You’re a snake. She’ll play me.”

He pointed at me, and Romeo stiffened. I patted his arm and slipped away. “It’s okay. I’ll play him.”

I hoped we weren’t about to get into another bar fight. It wouldn’t end well with both Sean and Romeo present. Grigory racked the balls and lined up a shot, breaking and sending balls flying across the table. He hit so hard that the cue ball hit the opposite side and bounced up, flying off the table and right into Sloane’s waiting hand.

“Careful there, slugger,” she taunted, not bothering to hide that she wasn’t drunk. Grigory scowled and snatched the cue ball from her hand, placing it on the round sticker and lining up another shot. He hit the eight ball but missed the pocket by a hair’s breadth.

Blowing out a breath, he aimed again and sunk the eight ball.

“Three moves,” he boasted. “Beat that.”

I racked the balls, lining them up how I wanted. Romeo pressed his body against mine as I leaned over, and Sean sent him a murderous look. He leaned down and tucked my hair behind my ear before he whispered, “Good luck. Burn him alive, mia fiamma.”

I shivered at the feel of his warm breath against my neck, but shook my shoulders to center myself. He was watching intently when I looked over my shoulder and smirked. “I don’t need luck.”

Romeo chuckled as I took my shot, scattering the balls as everybody seemed to hold their breath, following the black ball across the green felt… until it dropped into the pocket.

“Yes!” Sloane bounced as I let out the breath I’d been holding. “Pay up, boys.”

“You heard the lass,” Sean said, pointing at the blue suits. “Fair’s fair.”

“Nothing about this was fair,” Grigory practically whined as the men pulled bills from their wallets and tossed them onto the pool table.

Sloane gathered the money and counted it into two piles, handing me one of them. “I guess we don’t need Daddy’s money after all. Nice doing business with you, boys. Next time, maybe you’ll think twice before assuming women are easy targets.”

Sean stood next to his sister, staring the men down until they turned away. Bryce scowled at me. “Let’s get out of here.”

Romeo flinched in his direction before placing a hand on my lower back, and Bryce nearly jumped out of his shoes at the intimidating move. I giggled as they hurried out the door, then slapped Romeo’s hand away.

“What the hell are you doing here?” I asked accusingly. “How did you even know where I’d be?”

I looked at Sean, who shook his head. “Don’t look at me. No way in hell would I tell him.”

Romeo’s face was infuriatingly blank when I turned back to him. “Are you following me?”

“It’s standard for those connected with the family.” He shrugged like it was nothing.

“I think the fuck not,” I hissed, poking him in the chest. “Call your men off.”

“It’s out of my hands.” Romeo spread his arms to the side.

I fumed and felt my face heating with rage. Rather than argue with him further, I called out to Rian, who was standing against the back wall. “Come on. I want to go home now.”

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