“Two weeks ago, they fucked with you.” Speed points to me. “Then they lay low like little bitches and strike now.”
I’ve been silent for the last few minutes ‘cause I genuinely don’t know what to think. I plug another cig between my lips, and Ace lights me up. The dented metal ashtray is overflowing with burnt-out blunts and cigs, but we still haven’t come to any conclusion or decision.
Fist turns to Shady. “You said you were out there and didn’t see anything.”
“I didn’t just say I was out there. I was out there—and, no, wiseass, I didn’t see anything or anyone.”
“Don’t get your little balls twisted. I’m just sayin’ shit went down on your watch.” Fist throws Shady a look.
Shady folds his arms over his chest. “And I’m just sayin’ I moved from back to front every ten or fifteen minutes.”
Ace and I exchange a look. “Long enough for someone to pick the lock, then sneak in the back and just do enough to fuck with us.”
“Are you sayin’ this is my fault?” Shady leans into the table.
Fist jumps out of his chair. “It was your watch, and you were the only one out there, so, yeah, fucker, that’s what he’s sayin’.”
Shady lunges over the table, but Scratch and Speed hold him back.
Shady points to Fist. “You still got a wiseass fuckin’ mouth.”
Fist laughs, and Shady’s face turns an unhealthy color. Fist has always had a way of stirring shit up. Back in the day, he was the first one to piss someone off or throw a punch. Exactly how he got his road name, Fist.
I push out of my chair. “Settle the fuck down. It wasn’t anybody’s fault. Whoever got in was obviously watching the place and watching Shady. Tomorrow, I want better locks installed on both doors, and from now on, I want someone in the back and someone in the front. Once we get this place open, we hire professional security. Guys who aren’t afraid to bust a few heads if necessary.
“I still got some contacts I can recruit over at Harrah’s. Shouldn’t be a problem.”
I nod to Fist and Ace. “You two take watch the rest of the night and sleep in tomorrow.” I turn to Fist. “Get somebody here to put up security cameras in the alley and around both entrances tomorrow.”
Fist nods, and we all tap fists.
I glance at my phone. One a.m. “Nothing else we can do tonight.”
We silently file out of the room. I’m fuckin’ dragging. Between hauling lumber, swinging a hammer all day, and now this shit, I’m beat. After they leave, I double-check the locks and head upstairs, my feet heavy on the wooden stairs.
When I reach the landing, my mind drifts to Sammie and what almost happened between us earlier. Maybe if I hadn’t been with her, I would’ve heard whoever was downstairs sooner, but I’ll be keeping that information to myself, for sure.
I stop by her door for a split second and smile. Somehow, someway, she managed to get the door straight—and probably locked. My fist lifts, then hovers.
SAMMIE
Deuce’s heavy footsteps on the stairs make me sit up in bed. His every footfall registers in my brain, and when they stop in front of my door, my heart stops too.
Would he knock? Or would he just break it down again, charge into my room, pin me to the bed, rip off my clothes and spread me wide.
Ohh God, I have to stop reading those romance novels.
After a few seconds, his steps retreat down the hall. I fall back onto the bed, half relieved, and way more than half disappointed. This is torture. No, this is hell, but I can’t waver. I have to stay strong.
DEUCE
I draw in a deep breath, turn and head for my room before I have time to convince myself she needs me. My door shuts behind me, and I lean my head against it as I toe off my boots, then shrug off my cut and t-shirt. I debate taking a shower, but decide it’s too much fuckin’ trouble. The weight of my gun presses against my spine, so I reach back, check the safety and place it on the coffee table. I eye the kitchen. A shot of whiskey or a bottle of water?
A knock on the door makes my decision. I grab up my gun, release the safety, and cross the room in three silent steps. I wrench open the door and freeze.
Thin tank top, booty shorts, and bare feet with that damn monitor mocking me as it quietly hums. Her tousled curls tease her chest as it rises and falls with choppy breaths like she wasn’t sure she made the right decision.
She steps inside, and I close the door behind her. She reaches for me at the same time I reach for her. My hands automatically roam over her back, then slide down to her ass without hesitation, without permission.
