Scowling, he asked, “Do you?”
Shaking her head, she picked up her empty glass. “No. I just thought that maybe…. I mean, you have all these women here. You know what I mean.”
He motioned to Ruger for another whiskey sour for her, then took her hands in his. “I’m not some fuckin’ douchebag. Just because the women are here doesn’t mean I’m constantly having sex with them. And besides, I’m going out with you.” Kissing her gently, he said in a low voice, “I’m right where I wanna be. You got that?” She nodded. “Good. Now let’s get some food.”
Lena, the cook for the club, had just finished putting out the last platter of ribs when they came up to the buffet table. Muerto piled his plate with pork ribs, green chile, fried potatoes, coleslaw, corn and black beans, and a big wedge of cornbread. When he saw Raven’s plate, she had a dollop of coleslaw, a spoonful of potatoes, and a small amount of green chile.
“That’s all you’re eating? Don’t you want any ribs?”
“I’m not that hungry.” She placed her hand on her stomach. “Nervous tension. And I’m not a big meat eater.”
Pulling her chair out, she sat down and asked him to bring her a Diet Coke. After he came back to the table, Crow joined them.
“You’re not at the pool hall tonight?” Muerto asked as he shoveled a good portion of fried potatoes in his mouth.
“I arranged for a relief bartender to help out Zach. I wouldn’t miss this game for the world. I think we’re going to score big tonight, bro. Almost all the brothers placed bets on Army.”
“This is a betting game?” Raven asked as she picked at her food.
“Yeah. We always bet on the games. It’s no biggie. Don’t let it throw you,” Muerto said.
“It doesn’t,” she said coolly. “I need the cash, so it’s good to know that I’ll get it.”
Muerto and Crow laughed. “That’s my girl. Full of confidence.” He squeezed her hand.
Soon Army came by and chatted with Muerto and Crow, his eyes darting to her every few seconds or so. As the time neared eight o’clock, the brothers turned off the TV and overhead music, and the club girls scrambled to clear off the tables.
“It’s time for me to win some money,” Army said while looking at Raven.
Muerto smiled when she stood up, looked Army straight in the eyes, and said, “Agreed. I could use some cash. Where’s the pool table?”
Clasping her hand in his, Muerto walked with Raven to the back of the room. Under a brass fixture stood the table. Several of the brothers flocked to the stools that had been set up against the wall. Muerto bent down and kissed her. “Kick his ass,” he whispered, loving the way her whole face lit up when she grinned. Taking his seat on one of the stools, he scooted a bit to the left when Crow sat on the one next to him. Except for Steel, all the brothers were there, and the club girls flocked around them. Kelly and Fina blew kisses at Army, who winked at them.
The air crackled with anticipation and tension. Raven went over and picked up several cue sticks, examining them until she settled on one. Army smirked and grabbed one for himself. Taking out a quarter from his jeans pocket, he looked at Raven. “You choose what breaks, heads or tails.”
“Heads.”
He handed the coin to Muerto. “Toss it.”
Muerto threw it up in the air, caught it, then flipped it on his hands. He looked at it.Shit.“Tails.”
Army grinned and sniggers circled the area.
The game was on.
