“Lev and Dima paid me a visit.”
I look at her funny. “Who?”
“The same guys who gave you those two pretty black eyes.”
I glare up at her, knowing full well what those two motherfuckers are capable of. And the thought of them even being in the same room as her has me walking the fine line of lunacy.
“Explain,” I bite.
“You need a babysitter, and I’m it. Pony apparently knows we’re . . .close.”Liv clears her throat. “He thinks it will be easy for me to keep an eye on you. He wants his money, and he’s not fucking around.”
“And if you don’t watch me?” I question.
“He’ll burn my studio to the ground. With me possibly in it.”
“Motherfucker.” I squeeze the ice pack so hard I feel the cubes crack. It’s exactly what I want to do to every bone in Pony’s body. Break them like stale, crusty bread. Dragging Liv into my shit. That’s not even low; it’s downright heinous. Which is exactly what Pony is. He’s vicious, corrupt, and his veins are coursing with greed.
He’s going to destroy her life if I can’t pull mine together. A victim by association. And it’s utterly and completely fucked up.
“I’m sorry.” I shake my head apologetically. Remorsefully, regretfully. The last thing I ever wanted was to involve Liv in my problems, yet here she is, eyeballs-deep, with me as her only way out.
If I thought I was screwed before, I am completely fucked now.
“Don’t apologize.” Liv stands and paces the room. I try not to check her out, but even in this dire situation, my attraction to her is incessant.
Her clingy black tank top and skin-tight, ripped jeans highlight every one of her luscious curves and slim, sexy form. It’s the worst timing ever, but I just want to lose myself inside her and forget everything. All of it. All the stress, all the pressure, all the life-threatening consequences.
The thought of Liv being hurt in any way. I can’t even comprehend it.
I’ve never felt such hatred and resentment toward my father the way I do right now. In this moment. His actions not only affected my life, but are now affecting the lives of the people I care about. This is exactly why I took off. Why I didn’t tell anyone. Because I wanted to protect those I love. It’s clear my efforts were fruitless, because now here we are. In the exact situation I was dead-set on avoiding. “Tell me what we are going to do about it, Damon. Why are you here of all places?”
I look up into her smoky green eyes. “Where else can you make sixty grand in a night with Lady Luck by your side?”
“You think you’re going to gamble a hundred-thousand dollars into your pocket?”
“Crazier things have happened,” I shrug.
“Was Lady Luck on your side tonight?”
“Not so much,” I admit. “But first night jitters. Tomorrow will be better.” I’m confident. Liv is unconvinced. “C’mon, you should know better than anyone the power of a bet.”
Liv huffs, a worried expression marring her pretty face. “I do know the power. I also know the consequences of a bad one.”
“Then there can’t be any bad ones.” Plain and simple.
“Damon,” Liv hums my name apprehensively.
“I have to believe it, Liv.” I cut her skepticism to the quick. I have to believe it, or else all hope is lost.
Liv sits down next to me with a worried frown. I hate that expression. I hate that she’s looking at me like she has zero optimism. Like the game has already been played, and we lost.
“I can do this. I just need a little time and a lot of faith.” I put my hand over hers. And her. I need her.
“What other choice do we have? It’s either gamble or run.” Liv sighs.
“Third option. Win.”
“Third option sounds good to me.” A deep rumble from across the room has us turning our heads. Knuckles has been so quiet, I forgot he was lurking in the corner. “You know what else sounds good? Bed.”
