But it’s Alyss who gives me what I’m looking for. “I don’t lead them around by their cocks, if that’s what you’re asking, Jenson. I’m the leader of the Hearts and that’s not going to change, but outside of the work hierarchy,everyonehas an equal say.”
Nodding, I test Alyss’s patience by glancing at the male beside Chess. She tenses, and I keep my voice mild, my body relaxed. “I would be interested in your view, Hatter. No pressure, of course.”
Hatter doesn’t flinch. “They are my family. All of them. They are the family I chose.”
What I wouldn’t give to know the full details of their story. All I know are small pieces. I know that Alyss took up her role and called in a favor from me to get Hatter back from the psychoticbitch who used to have a stronghold in this city. I also know that while she clearly loves all of the men around her with a viciousness I admire, she has a particular softness where Hatter is concerned, a protectiveness that makes me wonder what lingers inside his head.
“Enough.” Alyss’s voice is steely. “I trust you learned something?”
I nod my head. “Thank you.”
She eyes me curiously, moving to River and Kai. “I find myself interested to meet the woman who could infiltrateyourgroup.”
I school my expression. “Curiosity, that’s all.”
Our circumstances are very different.
Alyss clicks her tongue as she gets to her feet. “A word of warning. These things never seem to happen the way you’d expect. Prepare for the unexpected.”
Valid advice, but we have precautions in place for that reason. There will be no surprises. “I’ll bear that in mind. Staying for a drink?”
The leader of the Hearts shakes her head. “We don’t generally enjoy places like this. Although you’re doing an excellent job, by all accounts.”
Her eyes meet mine. “We do keep an eye on things.”
Not a surprise, given their history. The Hearts are more than willing to leave the nightlife of this city to us and focus on their own territory, the vacuum left by Red’s demise and the closure of Wonder replaced with something less…murderous.
Inclining my head, I glance through the door that River opens, letting the noise spill in. “I appreciate the feedback. River will send the paperwork over with the updated boundary lines, and a copy to Keenan too for his information.”
Our Clubs counterpart was busy this evening, apparently. Not that it mattered, this particular issue one for Alyss and I to hash out between us. But curious, all the same.
With a final nod, the self-styled Queen of the Hearts gang vanishes, taking her group with her. The twins that always watch her back nod at us before they follow her through the door and onto the crowded dance floor, where the crowd swallows them up.
River pushes the door closed, settling his back against it and crossing his arms. He smirks. “I thought she was going to stab you when you looked at Hatter. Dangerous game.”
My brow quirks. “She likes me. She wouldn’t kill me.”
Maybe.
I turn to look up at Kai. He glances down and away, his jaw tight. “What?”
A shrug.
“You don’t think this is going to work?”
Kai’s fingers start moving, the jerking motions a clear sign of his irritation if his words didn’t already get that across.
It doesn’t matter. You don’t want to do this. Not really.
Frowning, I get up and move to the bar in the corner. “I never said that.”
I look over my shoulder to his hands as I grab a beer.
You don’tneedto do this.
The emphasis is clear as I return to my seat. River drops down opposite me, Kai taking the space between us after a moment’s hesitation. “Neither do you. You have women on their knees most nights, begging for a crumb of attention. You think any of them care if you’re whispering in their ear?”
His face changes slightly, an old pain in his eyes before it vanishes.They only want me as a trophy. To say they had me. Not for anything real. When they’re done, they leave.
