Chapter Three
This is probably a mistake.
It felt like a mistake. Something she’d come to regret with consequences she’d be forced to face. Cleo glanced down at her tight black dress and the straps of her heels in her hand as she crept down the stairs. This was definitely a mistake.But only if I get caught.
The odds were in her favor. Aside from a few prospects, who never bothered with her, the clubhouse was empty. The guys had left two days ago for a run and weren’t due back until tomorrow. She was meeting Reyna at the end of the driveway. She’d go completely undetected unless someone happened to check the surveillance cameras. But why would they unless there was a problem?
It was a risk.But where’s the harm?She’d be with Reyna, who they all knew.And heck, I’m almost twenty-five years old.Most women her age went on dates all the time. Cleo was overthinking this. The only reason they’d have to get mad was her not telling anyone where she was going.And technically, there’s no one here to tell, so I’ll take my chances.
Everything ran smoothly and according to plan. She made it out of the clubhouse without seeing the prospects, and Reyna was waiting for her at the road. The underground poker house wasabout thirty minutes away. All the while Reyna chatted.So this is what it’s like?Cleo never spent any time with girlfriends. She had a few.Well, I consider them friends.She wasn’t sure how they felt. But all communication with them was done by text. This reminded her a little of the time when she’d hung out with Regina in her apartment.One of the best nights I’ve ever had.
Do you remember how that ended?
Cleo shook her head, ridding her mind of the memory. She would only focus on the present. Reyna pulled into the parking lot, which was off the beaten path. The poker house was set in a secluded area, and from the outside didn’t look like anything fancy or special. The inside was a whole different realm, and she felt her excitement build as they exited the car.
Reyna glanced down at her phone. “They’re running late. A big crash on the interstate.”
“Maybe they changed their minds.” It wouldn’t be the worst thing. After a little thought, Cleo had her reservations. Evan seemed nice, and he was incredibly handsome. But he wasn’t Cleo’s vision of the perfect date. That was reserved for a burly, grumpy Enforcer with an unwelcoming demeanor and permanent scowl.It’s still damn, sexy.
Reyna snorted. “Not a chance.” She tucked her phone in her bag and led them to the front door.
Cleo hadn’t mentioned it to Reyna, but she’d been here before. It hadn’t yet opened for operation, but she’d gotten a close up look at the inside. Part of her motivation for coming was to see the final product.I bet it’s beautiful.
The building must’ve had a lot of surveillance, because before they reached the front door, they were greeted by security. A large man talked with Reyna briefly while Cleo scanned the area. She glanced up, noticing the cameras on every inch of the building. There was no sneaking in or out of this place.
Reyna grabbed her wrist and led her through the door. She smiled at the man, and he lowered his chin. She walked into a room where there were a few desks set up. They had their bagschecked and were frisked before entering the next corridor. Cleo had brought one hundred dollars and traded them in for chips. This was her first time at any type of casino. She didn’t know how to play the tables, but she was willing to risk some money for the experience alone.So exciting.
Once they were cleared, another member of security opened the double doors leading to the main floor. She stifled a gasp in her throat. Playing it cool had never come easy for her, but she was able to smother a bit of her enthusiasm.
“Let’s get a drink.” Reyna weaved through the foursome of men watching a table. Cleo followed. She arched her neck, catching a glimpse of a poker table.
Cleo looked around the room in complete awe. It was even more glamorous than she’d envisioned. It was elegant with a masculine tone.
When Reyna hopped up on a stool, Cleo sat in the one beside her. She slid her hands over the smooth wood of the bar. Everything about this place was high-end.
“Ladies.”
Cleo swung her head to the bartender across from her.
“My name is Tanner, and I’ll be serving you tonight. What can I get for you?”
Cleo flattened her lips. “A beer.”
He lowered his chin.
“No Cleo, let’s get a fun drink.” Reyna elbowed her arm with a wink and pressed her hands against the edge of the bar. “We’ll have margaritas.”
His lips twitched before breaking out in a grin. “I don’t get that order often.”
Cleo nervously waved her hand, gaining his attention. “We can order something simpler, if that’s a problem.”
Tanner’s smile softened, and he shook his head. “It’s not a problem. I welcome the change from whiskey neats.”
Cleo smiled, watching him move down the bar and grab two glasses from the shelf. It was strange to be in this setting on herown. Or any, for that matter. Rarely did she go anywhere by herself that wasn’t local. And she certainly didn’t hang out alone with anyone other than a member.
It was silly, but a bubbly energy swarmed her belly along with an unnatural calm. It was odd for the situation. Considering her past, being on her own should’ve left her anxious and nervous. It didn’t. She felt…free.
“You like working at the motel?”
