“Yeah, yeah, yeah. I owe you a beer or whatever the fuck.”
“You placedbetson me? Fuck, next time let me know. I want in.”
“You can’t bet on yourself.” Simon raised a brow as we approached the double doors that led out front. Nudging them open, he dipped his chin to the side. “It’s against the rules.”
“And who says that? There’s no code saying I can’t.”
“Our code says you can’t.” Liam shrugged. “And before you look at me with your esteemed puppy dog eyes,” he jutted a thumb toward Simon, who’d finally elected to walk normally, “hecreated them.”
With nothing but the night sky to guide us, I placed my hands on top of my head as I smiled, Dad’s credit card heavy in my pocket. “Well, if Simon made them, I’ll let it slide. I owe the man at least two drinks, if not more, tonight.”
Simon grinned, to which Liam added, “If you get him drunk,you’rethe one carrying him home.”
“Oh, I’m not coming back until Monday. You’ll have to lift him yourself.”
“I’ll get you to, don’t you worry.” Liam smiled, twinned dimples drilling into his cheeks. “I’m rather convincing, or forceful. I suppose it depends on who you ask.”
“Would free drinks the entire night get me off the hook?” I waved the card back and forth. At least one perk to being here was access to Dad’s office, and he was still underestimating that I knew his habits. He’d placed it underneath an expensive bottle of imported whiskey. Well, that and the three other cards I’d snatched, too.
“You stole the General’s card?” Simon pressed a hand to his chest, releasing a theatrical sigh as he tossed his arm over my shoulder. “By grace, I think I may have found the one.”
“You meanDad’scard, and damn right. Stick with me, and I’ll buy whatever you want, sugar.”
“God spite me,” Liam mumbled from behind us, though the smile remained prevalent in his tone.
As we continued walking beneath the street lights, I couldn’t help but grin. What Thorne probably meant as a way to break me backfired. It brought the three of us closer in these last few weeks.
I’d profusely apologized to Simon, but he’d waved it away with a blown kiss. It wasn’t the first time a recruit had pulled this shit; it had been Liam before. All Simon said was that he was due for a beating and to make it up to him when the chance arose.
Well, Ihopedtonight would make up for it, because I was ordering whatever the hell I wanted. I might pay for it later, but what hadn’t I paid for? Dad had ruined my life and assigned me to a fucked asshole.
The only silver lining was these two fuckers.
Music flooded into the streets, people lining up outside the clubs as we passed a few. Simon knew a spot where the action, drinks, and men were top-notch, and I wasn’t about to turn down a recommendation from him. Despite his unserious nature, he had the best ideas and suggestions.
It looked empty from the outside, no line forming as we showed the bouncer our IDs, but when the metal doors groaned open, a flood of lights, people, and tasteful music drowned my senses.
“Simon, this is…” I gaped, pretending to wipe tears from my eyes. “Beautiful,” I shouted above the music, before a stupid squeal left me.
He smiled, dipping his chin as he patted my back. “Go explore, darling. Just remember not to leave your drink unattended. I’d heavily prefer not to have to beat the shit out of some poor bastard.”
“I think I can beat someone up just fine, but let’s grab drinks first. It’s on me,” I said as we navigated through the crowd to the bar. Already, I’d caught the glances of a few straying eyes, and I inwardly swooned. I was back home, well, at least apartof home.
Leaning on the counter, I waved down the bartender, a burly man with a painted goatee. It glowed beneath the strobe lights, matching the bright pink vest he wore. “Whatcha drinkin’ sugar?”
“Redbull and raspberry vodka for me.” I turned to Liam and Simon.
“I’ll take a shot of Fireball,” Simon added.
“Whiskey. Neat.” Liam ordered.
Passing over the card, I left a hefty tip before I handed out the drinks. I was prepared to get blackout drunk, and I would’ve hated forgetting to give the bartender his earnings. “If you need anything, put it on tab ‘Fuck Valens,’ and I’ll cover it for the evening.” I took another sip, the familiar hint of liquor calming any nerves I’d had about the evening. “You boys need anything before I go explore?”
Simon offered his typical, cheeky grin. “No, baby. Go prowl. Find yourself a man. We’ll be around.”
With a quick nod, I escaped into the fray. Prowl indeed. There was more candy here than back home, and I was almost overwhelmed.Almost.
Not paying attention to where I was walking, I stumbled back to the front, scanning the crowd. While there were plenty of men, no one stood out as my type yet.
