Burning Ember (25 page)

“Nah. I’ve already taken my fair share of bad bets ‘s all.” Mav steals a glance at me and warmth flushes up my neck.

Jade saunters up to the table. She eyes the guys. Her gaze flickers over Dozer and goes around the table. The green monster inside me only peaks its head up when her eyes land on Mav and stay on him just a second longer than the rest. I beat it down. He’s not mine. I have no reason to feel jealous. But relief soars through me when she sidles over to Griz instead. She plops down on the older ginger’s lap, and circles her arms around his neck.

Mav turns his head and looks at me. His eyes burn holes into my face.
He knows! He knows! He’s going to call me out in front of everyone.

I shoot up and out of my chair. All eyes snap up to me. “Um, I need to use the restroom.” I push my remaining money over to Dozer. “Here, you take over for me.”

Dozer slaps his hand on top of mine and pushes it back. “I’ll save it for you. You can continue to kick their asses when you get back.”

“I’m pretty tired—”

“What’s wrong, little stray, Kool-Aid makin’ you sleepy, or are the big boys harder to beat than you thought?”

I open my mouth to give a smartass retort, but Dozer beats me to it. “Go, babe. Then come back and teach these boys a lesson.”

I feel Mav’s heated gaze on my back as I walk through the main room. The party’s in high gear. It’s close to eleven on a Tuesday, so it’ll probably wind down in a few hours.

Before I can push on the bathroom door, it’s yanked open and a girl I’ve seen a few times, a hang-around, comes out. She sizes me up, wipes her nose, and saunters past me to get back to the party.

I groan loudly as I enter and see the state of the bathroom. Toilet paper is strung all around the wet floor. Used paper towels left there like someone halfheartedly tried to clean it up. Thankfully, it’s only clear liquid. I clean that first before I notice the mirrors. Not only are they splashed with water and hairspray, but also they have a million fingerprints all over them. Why anyone needs to touch the damn mirror as they fix their hair or make-up is beyond my knowledge.

Grumbling and cursing under my breath—something I’m doing more and more of late—I straighten the mess, knowing full well that if I don’t, I’ll just have to clean up tomorrow.

It’s a good while before I return to the poker table. When I do, I see Lily at the end of the bar talking to Rigor. All the guys are now at the table even Bodie and Goose. Mav is speaking to them.

I hear him say, “Henry Manfield. Came in through the tip line a few days ago. All Rodriquez would say is the guy witnessed a shooter in a dark sedan take down two motorists. Then the gunman got out, walked up to the two bodies, and shot the male three more times. It matches up with the police report and ballistics. I’ve got Whiz digging for everything he can get on this Henry guy. Addresses, family, friends. He’s skipped town and he’s not using his credit cards. Most likely, he got wind of who Cap is and decided to disappear. We need to track him down and get him to talk before anyone else does.”

“Agreed.” Dozer’s the first to speak up. The men join in.

Dozer notices me and gives me a sly smile. “You fall in?”

Mav turns around but I keep my eyes on Dozer so I don’t get worked back up. All the guys relax and I can tell by their body language the conversation is over. I’m not sure though if it’s because of my presence or because Mav was finished speaking to them.

“Someone got the floor in the bathroom all wet. I cleaned it up.”

Bodie exits my seat and gestures to me to take it. I hesitate. I really don’t want to sit between Dozer and Mav. However, that does seem to be where I’m always finding myself these days. Between the two of them
. Oh God
, I must be drunk. Because an image of
me
between them runs through my mind and, dear heaven, that is not something my mind or body could handle.

“Tell me you washed your hands,” Bodie quips. He takes up a seat across from me and next to Taz.

I hold my hands up. “Nope, I thought you could lick them clean.”

Jade scrunches up her nose. Dozer and Griz find that hilarious. I take my seat and Mav’s leg yet again falls against mine. Only this time his hand is resting on it and his fingers brush against my thigh, effectively awaking every inch of my body.

“There’s plenty of you I’d like to lick clean, ginger, but not your hands,” is Bodie’s reply.

Mav growls.

Bodie’s eyes shift to Mav, and then he clarifies. “After the party, of course.”

“How’re Blaire and the kids? They doin’ okay? Didn’t you just come from there like ten damn minutes ago?” Taz throws out.

“Butt the fuck out of my business.”

“I would, if you’d stop actin’ like a horny teen that can’t think of nothin’ but dippin’ your wick in anything within five feet of you.”

“Like you fuckin’ don’t?”

“I—”

Mav points at them both. “Knock it the fuck off.” Taz and Bodie trade glares but don’t say another word.

“You back in or what, little stray?” Taz snaps a second later while he rolls his shoulders and pops his chin in my direction. I’m about to say no thanks, but Dozer nudges me. Twice.

“Okay, but I’m getting tired. I’m going to call it a night pretty soon.”

The game resumes and talk turns to the party.

“Cajun called. Said him and Kite and their crew will be down for the party,” Dozer tells Mav.

“I want every HOC here. That way if the GBs don’t like what our decision is, we’re ready.” Mav’s arm comes around the back of my chair. Whether he means to or not he’s touching my shoulder blades. “We’re goin’ all out. Invite the girls from the club and have Lily, Rigor, and Nick stock up on all the food, liquor, and beer we’re gonna need.”

They discuss a few more details about the party as the poker game continues. Bodie plays a couple of hands, but then stands. While meeting Taz’s gaze, he calls the twins over, puts his arms over their shoulders, and escorts them down the hallway.”

“Haven’t seen Davis around. Ortega wisen up and fire his ass?” Griz asks Mav.

“No, but he’s been warned if he comes within two hundred feet of the clubhouse, he will be. Ortega stuck him with a rookie too. The kid’s reporting his whereabouts twenty-four-seven. So he’ll be out of our hair for a while.”

I let out a long, pent up breath I don’t remember holding
.

Davis is gone
.

I can leave.

Although, if I do, Davis might make me a more wanted woman than I already am.

“You’re up, Babe.” Dozer waves his hand in front of my face. I come out of my daze, but only long enough to fold. My head’s no longer on the game. I need to go up to Dozer’s room. I need time to think.

Faking a yawn, I say, “Honestly, I can barely keep my eyes open. I’m going to go to bed.” I push my remaining chips to Dozer. “This should cover what I owe you.
Please
, keep the rest.” Dozer frowns but I think he catches on to my pleading tone, because he pulls them over to him without another word.

I get to my feet, but before I can leave, a warm hand curls around my fingers.

“Wait.”

The strength in Mav’s grip sends my tummy a flutter, and from where we’re joined, little pinpricks of electricity shoot up my arm. He peers at our hands for a moment and then his maple eyes meet mine.

“Yeah?”

He doesn’t say anything for what seems like eternity. “The old ladies are comin’ in to discuss details for the party tomorrow. Make sure you and the other girls make yourselves scarce when they get here.”

My chest tightens. So he considers me one of them. A clubpiece. I nod and he lets my hand go.

“You not walkin’ her to your room?” he questions Dozer.

Dozer shrugs. “It’s a couple of stairs, man. What trouble she gonna get into?”

Mav’s silent. However, his scowl says it all. He still doesn’t trust me. “That’s not the deal.” Mav stands and grates out, “I’ll take her.”

“No.” Dozer lets out frustrated huff. “I’ll do it. Watch my stash.” He grabs my hand. “Come on, Babe.” Then proceeds to drag me down the hall and up the stairs.

It sounds like an orgy’s in full effect on the second floor. Bodie’s door is open and he and the twins are doing their best to bring down the house, maybe even on purpose.

Dozer unlocks his door and pushes it open. I thought he’d simply say goodnight close the door and go back to the game, but instead he pulls me over to the bed and sits down beside me. Right away, my nerves go into hyper drive.
What is he doing?

“Why’d you throw the game? Because of Mav?”

I sigh, relieved when he just wants to talk. “How’d you guess?”

He shrugs. “You got all twitchy and stopped playing, like your head wasn’t in it.”

I’m not going to deny it. “He’s looking for any reason to toss me out on the street. I wasn’t about to hand him one on a silver platter.”

“You didn’t have to do that. Bluffin’ your way through a card game isn’t gonna get you tossed.” Dozer pulls me onto his lap. He’s touching me more than usual. Getting braver maybe. I don’t like that he can easily move me around like I’m a rag doll. It scares me.

I sweep my hair out of my face. “I wasn’t sure what he’d do. I thought it might be safer to just throw the game. Next time, I’ll just play straight up.”

Dozer’s hand rests on my thigh. I want to brush it off or stand up to remove it, but I force myself not to react. I must not be a very good actor tonight though, because he says, “Easy, babe. It’s just me and you.”

His fingers start caressing small circles into my skin. His eyes, normally a gray-blue color, are darker tonight. They’re dilated and he smells like weed. He didn’t smoke any while I was at the table, but he could’ve taken a hit or two while I was in the bathroom.

A question is residing in his gaze. One I think I know the answer to. He wants to kiss me. And he wants to know if he should. If I want him to.

How can I say no to him when he’s done so much for me? He’s the reason I’m not on the street right now giving out sexual favors for money. Or part of the reason. I swallow the lump in my throat and rest my hand on his chest.

“You’ve been really good to me Dozer. I won’t ever forget that,” I tell him.

He eyes me curiously. “You goin’ somewhere, babe?”

I shake my head. Although it is a possibility, I haven’t made up my mind yet.

Am I leaving now that I can? Or will I stick it out until the party? Until I fulfill my end of the deal and Mav fulfills his? I need more time to think it through. I’ll be staying tonight, but I’m not too sure what tomorrow will look like.

“I really want to kiss you.”

“What about Mav?”

“Mav doesn’t need to know.”

As my brain scrambles for an excuse, he says, “Don’t know that I’ve ever waited this long to kiss a girl. It seems like I’ve been waitin’ forever to get this close to you without someone watchin’ us.”

Then he leans forward and his lips land on mine. His arm circles my back, while the other comes up to cup my neck and bring my face closer to his. His tongue sweeps out and probes my lips. He tastes like beer and his mouth is so much larger than mine, it’s overwhelming.

His grip tightens around me.

My instinct tells me to run. Escape.

Instead, I count the seconds until I can politely pull away.

What do I say when he tries to do more than this? He’s been drinking . . . more than usual. What if he doesn’t handle my rejection well? What if he doesn’t want to stop after the one kiss? Dread pools at the bottom of my stomach.

“Babe,” he speaks against my lips. “Relax, it’s just a kiss.”

“I know. I just don’t have anywhere else to go if he finds out. Sorry. I didn’t mean to ruin it.”

“You didn’t. And I’m not gonna let him kick you out. Actually, I was thinkin’ tomorrow I’d tell Mav to start lookin’ for someone else for Edge.” His eyes meet mine. “I don’t want you with anyone else, like that.”

My jaw drops.

He chuckles softly and lifts me from his lap. He really is very handsome. I wish I could feel something, anything for him.

Standing over me now, he bends down, kisses the top of my head and says, “Think about it. We could be good together.”

Then as he locks the door, he says, “Night, babe. Sleep good.”

There is good that comes from every trial we face. If you look hard enough at the wreckage, you can see how the debris shaped you.

MAVERICK

I’m sitting at the same table drinking with Taz and Griz, lost in my own thoughts. Staring at the amber liquid, seeking answers it simply won’t give.

Since last night, Doll’s been awkward around me. At first, I thought it was because of our near kiss. Or maybe she’s waiting to be reprimanded for calling me an asshole. Then I came closer to watch her kick everyone’s ass at poker and her entire body tensed. She suddenly lost all sense of concentration. Stopped paying attention to the game, how the others were playing, and started losing.

Before I came over, she’d been winning like the card shark she is. Focused. Cunning. Smart. More facets of her that caught me completely off guard, and if I was being truthful, turned me the fuck on.

Dolled up and sexy, she sat there drinking her girly-fucking-drink and stealing money from some of the toughest men I know. A vet and ex-mercenary. Navy seal. The club’s enforcer and an ex-con. I couldn’t pull my eyes away from her, even if I wanted to.