by K E Osborn
“Does this mean we can go to the casino now?” Atomic starts.
I snort out a laugh. “Yeah, we can let our hair down for a while. But stay close together, and for God’s sake, don’t do anything stupid. You get into any kind of shit, call for back up. Last thing we need is to start some other kind of drama while we’re here.”
“Wanna go see Elvis?” Sparx nudges Trax.
“Renew our vows? Fuck, yeah! Grace, you coming? We need a witness.”
Grace groans. “Man, there’s weddings left, right, and center.” She rolls her eyes. “Sure, I’m coming. Vex? We were both at their first ceremony, wouldn’t be right without you?”
“Yeah. Wait for Izzy and me to get changed. We’re coming, too.”
I slap Trax on the shoulder. “Have a good time. I’m heading to the casino to check it out. Make sure everything’s okay. You run into anything, you call me. Got it?”
He nods, so I take off with the other guys by my side. They’re all excited about playing the tables. But I’m going in search of a certain hottie, who’s bound to set me on fire.
We make our way into the casino a short time later. Atomic’s buzzing as Socket talks to him about making sure he loses occasionally. Socket’s always the level-headed one.
Kampai nudges my side. “You look lost in thought, brother.”
I rub the back of my neck. “I can’t tell what this trip is going to bring, whether Nio’s going to end up attacking when we least expect it, or if Torque will broker peace behind Nio’s back with his mother. I hate waiting. I hate unknowns.”
He hums under his breath. “It is a hard game to play. But, until you hear from Torque, I suggest, when in Vegas…” He leaves the sentence open, then we walk inside and down to the casino. We enter the giant expanse, slot machines ring out, the sound crazy loud, as I shake my head at the man yelling obnoxiously into a machine. “Make it rain, you bitch!”
I raise my brow walking past him, my brothers in front of me bouncing around like freaking teenagers on spring break.
Maybe I do need to let my hair down, if only for one night. I mean how often do we get time to live it up in Vegas?
I slap Kampai on the back, tilting my head. “When in Vegas!” I tell him.
“Good, lad.” He punches my bicep as he takes off in the opposite direction for a room that’s billowing cigar smoke. All my other brothers have vanished as well. I roll my shoulders and stroll, slowly and casually, taking in the slot machines. I don’t fancy that shit. They’re basically like throwing your money in the trash can then setting it on fire. No way! I need to make my way to the tables. At least there you can use some skill, and perhaps you have a chance at winning.
Entering a vast expanse, tables are scattered around the room, some playing poker, some blackjack, a few roulette tables, and all the other games you can think of. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a fucking ‘Go Fish’ table there are that many. It would be stupid of me to go in search of Ember. Hell, she’ll think I’m stalking her. But maybe that’s what I want to do.
Is she a poker dealer?
Roulette?
Damn, I’d sure like to take her for a spin.
I chuckle to myself but keep walking. Then the hairs on my arms stand up, while heat creeps over the back of my neck. I turn, and Ember’s watching me from behind her table. A blackjack dealer. Ember passes out the chips, working them through her fingers effortlessly without even looking at them. She’s been doing this for a long time. Her eyes bore into mine. I stop, staring right back at her. All the noise, the music, the chatter evaporate while I watch her.
Ember’s talking as the two men at the table place their bets. But her eyes don’t leave mine for a second. A slow smile creeps up my lips. Her soft lips stretch, not quite reaching her eyes, but it seems so genuinely sweet that an unexpected rush of warmth passes through me, and then she winks.
The fucking vixen winked at me.
Ember’s eyes leave mine, focusing back on the table as she deals out her hand. My cock strains in my jeans as I rub the back of my neck. She’s sassy, got to give her that. I can’t not go and talk to her. Ember is full of fire, and I need to see if there’s a spark.
I stride over to the table standing right in front of her.
She deals out the cards so fast, it’s like she has lightning hands. “You need to be seated to play,” Ember says so nonchalantly without even looking at me.
Pulling my seat out, I sit, my lips turning up at the corners.
I’ve missed this round as she deals out the hand to the other two guys, who are going through the motions, but I watch her the whole time.
She doesn’t side glance me once.
“Dealer has twenty. House wins.” She drags both the men’s chips in.
They grumble, then walk away from the table.
I slide a hundred across to Ember. Her eyes meet mine as she takes the money, then hands me a pile of chips. I want to reach out and touch her hand, see if she does, in fact, set me on fire, but I don’t.
She deals me a hand, and I tap the edge of my card thinking out my game plan. “Please don’t touch the cards. Not until the house has dealt their hand.”
I smirk as she slides her card upside down over to herself, then an eight up the right way.
I love her sass. “You always this bossy?”
Ember’s eyes meet mine. The chocolate color has flecks of gold making me think the fire inside is trying to fight its way out. She’s a damn firecracker.
“You always breaking the rules?” she argues back.
I narrow my eyes. “Have you seen the cut? It’s the very definition of breaking the rules.”
“Is that supposed to impress me?” she quips and quickly follows with, “Would you like another card?”
I glance at my two fives, then tap the table.
She slides a king over placing it next to my ten.
“Impressed? No, keep you on your toes… maybe.”
“Hmm, well, I’m sure I like my feet firmly on the ground. Hit or stand?”
I peer down at my hand, adrenaline flowing through me. “Stand. Maybe you’re just too used to being on the level.”
“Player has twenty.” Ember turns over her upside-down card to show a ten. I smile wide, just what I was hoping for. “Dealer has eighteen. Player wins.” She slides my winnings over to me, then grabs my cards taking them away.
“Beginner’s luck,” I murmur, pushing a stack of chips equaling fifty dollars into the white circle.
She tilts her head at me. “Big spender or big ego?”
Is she like this with everyone?
“You really have a smart mouth, Ember.”
She shrugs. “I guess I have to keep you on your toes, Mr. President.”
I narrow my eyes on her.
She’s doing what I did. Read my name badge, or in my case, patch.
She slides my card over to reveal an Ace.
I waggle my brows at her. “If I get blackjack, will you give me the presidential treatment?”
Ember rolls her eyes. “Please… that was the worst one-liner ever. And trust me, commando, I’ve heard them all.”
Commando? Maybe she saw my dog tags.
Damn! She’s a hard nut to crack.
But hell, if her attitude is doing it for me.
I love her fight. Her sass. She’s a minx, and I want to spend as much time as I can with her tonight.
“I have plenty more one-liners, but you’ll have to deal the card you’ve been dealt.”
A dimple crinkles in her cheek as she beams. “Fucking hell… Dad jokes now? Are you trying to impress me or make me laugh at you?”
I smirk, as she slides me another card. “Both.”
She shrugs. “It’s working, commando.” Ember winks at me again as she slides my card over. Excitement builds inside me while an image of her wrapped around my waist while I fuck her on the blackjack table flashes through my mind. My cock hardens until it’s almost painful while a low growl re
verberates in my chest.
“Blackjack,” Ember calls out, snapping me back into reality. My eyes flick to hers as she assesses me.
Her eyes drop to my cards, and I peer down at my Ace and Queen, while a slow grin forms on my lips. “I think you’re my lucky charm.”
“I can’t be your lucky charm if I don’t even know your name.”
My eyes meet hers. She stills her movements as we stare at each other. “It’s nice to meet you, Ember. I’m Viper.”
She pulls her bottom lip in with her teeth and nods, sliding my winning chips over. I take in my prize money pushing it up into a pile.
Right now, I really do feel like a winner.
I think I’m starting to love being in Vegas.
EMBER
Viper’s been at my table for hours. Other patrons have come and gone, but none have been as lucky as he has with the deck. I don’t believe he’s counting cards, I just think he’s on a winning streak. The thing is, I don’t want him to leave. Our witty banter has me in stitches. Plus, he’s really freaking good to look at. That leather cut, his short brown hair, the close beard on his oval face, but his eyes—those haunted eyes—they’ve seen a well of torment. The blue in them pierces through me like the waves of the ocean crashing against the shore.
It moves something in me.
It’s indescribable.
I haven’t missed the dog tags around his neck, but I’m assuming if he’s wearing a biker’s cut, he’s ex-military. His broad chest makes me think there are muscles under his shirt that go on for days. Not to mention his arms, one of which is completely covered in ink, but both are muscular as fuck. He’s all my dreams come to life in a package right in front of me. I’m meant to be professional at work, but there’s something about Viper that has me acting out. I hate this job, so having a little fun tonight feels like the right thing to do.
My boss is an asshole anyway.
“What time do you get off?” Viper asks casually.
What time do you want to get me off? I giggle to myself.
“Bit presumptuous of you, isn’t it, commando?”
He places his fists on the table. “Okay, what’s with this commando thing?”
Busted! Think quick.
I reach over the table, picking up his dog tags. The cold metal sits lifeless against my skin compared to the warmth he’s exuding. “You were a commando, right?”
Viper’s eyes glass over like he’s reliving a memory. I let the dog tags fall to his chest, his eyes focus again like it snapped him back into reality. “Army pilot.”
I exhale. “Call sign, Viper?”
His lips turn up slightly, but there’s sadness behind his eyes. “You’re sexy and smart.”
I shrug. “I try.”
“That was another time, though. The club is my life now.”
We’ve stopped playing cards and are now talking. This isn’t allowed, but then again, fuck the establishment. I am sure I will cop it later, but right now I am interested in what Viper has to say. “Why did you leave the Army?”
Viper rolls his shoulders. “Discharged.”
Shit, that’s heavy. I don’t want to push, so I don’t. “You wanna play another hand and keep kicking my ass?”
He slides a hundred-dollar chip over. Viper’s amounted quite the pile of chips in the hours he’s been playing. I slide out the cards, getting on with the game when four security guards walk with purpose down the hall.
Someone’s in trouble!
Viper hits the table, I slide his card over, and he hits twenty again. I shake my head, letting out a small laugh as the security detail steps up beside Viper and me. My eyes widen, stopping what I’m doing as Viper glances at the guys.
Shit!
Damn!
Fuck!
“Ember, I’m going to need you and your player to come with us,” Scott, the security guard, advises.
Viper narrows his eyes on Scott as he sits taller, glancing around as if searching for backup.
“Guys, what’s this about?” I ask.
“Bates has been called in. He wants a word… with both of you,” Scott advises.
Great, we’ve skipped Tim, the pit boss, and are headed straight for the head honcho.
Viper sits forward. “What’s going on, Ember?”
“We have to go with them, we’ve been flagged.”
“What does that mean?”
“Enough! C’mon, let’s go,” Scott warns, shoving me a little as Garry grabs Viper by his cut, yanking him from his seat.
My eyes widen as Viper shrugs out of Garry’s grip, glaring at him. “You ever fucking touch my cut again, I swear to God I will tear your arm off at the shoulder then shove it up your ass.”
Garry widens his eyes holding up his hands. “Whatever! Just walk.”
I move out beside Viper, and we make our way with the guards. All the other dealers watch me understanding precisely what’s going on. I cringe, hating that they think they know what’s happening, but they have no idea.
Bates got it wrong.
Viper leans into my side, his woodsy aftershave teamed with the hint of leather is intoxicating. “Talk to me.”
“They’re taking us to the casino owner. He thinks I was letting you win,” I whisper.
“Bullshit!” he yells making everyone turn to face us. He glares at me. “That’s bullshit,” he repeats but in a quieter tone.
I shrug. “I know.”
He stands taller. “Don’t worry, I’ll settle it.”
I’m sure you will.
We turn down a smaller hall toward Bates’ office. The hall is dimly lit giving it an ominous ambiance. I want to grab hold of Viper’s hand, but that would be stupid. I’ve only known him for all of maybe three hours.
Scott leads the way. He opens the door to Bates’ office, and he walks in first, we follow behind him. The room is dull but massive. Scott leads us around the corner, past a large desk, and through to another room. When we enter, there are two chairs in the middle. It’s like an interrogation room.
Scott shoves me forward. I stumble slightly, but Viper grips hold of me before I fall.
He turns, glaring at Scott. “Touch her again, and I’ll shoot you, you motherfucker!”
Scott laughs, shaking his head. “Sit down. Both of you.”
I swallow a lump that’s firmly caught in my throat as I brush past Viper’s hand, leading us over to the chairs. A tingle shoots all the way from the tips of my fingers, right up my arm, and straight into my chest from simply touching him. I gasp. His eyes wander over my body as if he’s checking to see if I’m okay. Then he observes the room. I think he’s checking for exits, but the only way out is the way we came in. Though on the downside, Scott and Garry are standing at the entry guarding it.
“Is this normal?” Viper asks.
I shrug. “Honestly, I’m not sure. I’ve never been in this situation before.”
A door creaks and footsteps echo in the other room.
“Okay, boys, our turn,” Bates calls.
Scott and Gary step aside as three men wearing black assault gear and carrying machine guns step into the room.
Viper stands abruptly, stepping in front of me.
I tense up, fear pummels through my body like a raging typhoon.
What the actual fuck?
“Who the hell are you?” Viper grunts out as Bates walks through the door.
“I could ask you the very same thing.” His gray suit appears expensive but barely covers his rotund stomach, his white hair excessively oily, and his overly red face obvious from too much cholesterol seems even redder today.
“I’m the motherfucking president of the Chicago Defiance MC. I ask again… who the fuck are you?”
Bates chuckles, walking in with his gun-wielding lackeys in tow. I’m not sure what the hell this is, but I want no part in it.
“I’m the owner of this casino. If I think my dealers are cheating the system, especially to lowlife scum like a biker, then I have some
thing to say about that.”
Viper steps forward, but one of the men aims his gun, pressing it right into Viper’s stomach.
“Stop! Stop it! Jesus Christ, Bates, you know me. You know I’m not an underhand dealer. I’ve worked for you for a long time. I only met Viper tonight. He had a lucky spell.”
Viper’s glare on the man with the gun doesn’t ease. In fact, he pushes himself further into the weapon.
A dare?
Does he have a death wish?
“A three-hour lucky spell, which ended in you breaking a cardinal rule.” I drop my eyes to the floor. “What is that rule, Ember?”
I exhale knowing exactly what he’s talking about. “Don’t touch the players.”
“Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner. That’s the first sign that you’re dealing a unique hand. You reached over the table and took a look at his dog tags. You… reached over. The. Table.”
Damn! I sink in on myself. I knew it was wrong at the time, I just didn’t think it would lead to fucking men with guns.
“So, now we have a problem. We have bikers in our casino taking advantage of our system and the way we do things around here.”
“I’m not taking advantage of shit! You better watch the way you talk, Bates.” Viper’s mocking tone when he drops the name makes me want to laugh, but I’m far too worked up to manage it.
“Or what? You have no weapons on you, Viper,” Bates mocks his name in the same way. “I think you and your men better get out of my casino before we turn this discussion into something far more exciting.”
I open my eyes wide. I don’t want any more excitement for tonight.
“I’m all for exciting. But a word of warning… a biker always has a weapon on him.” Viper’s hands move quicker than I thought humanly possible. His palm sneaks into the back of his jeans, pulling out a small pistol, at the same time his free hand shoves the rifle away from his stomach. He spins the rifle slightly making the guard’s arm twist out sideways as his pistol slides straight up against the guard’s temple.
Bates laughs loudly, sending applause around the room. The other guard aims his rifle at Viper, while I tense all over, hoping like hell he doesn’t get shot in front of me, or worse, I get shot because of him. I slide back further into my chair, holding my breath at this intense standoff happening right in front of me. It’s like time is standing still. If I don’t breathe soon, I’m sure I will pass out.