Bluff (Stacked Deck Book 6)

by Emilia Finn

  “What if someone knocked on her door after I left? I’ve been working on desensitizing her to someone knocking after dark. I want her to not be scared when something messes with her routine, but maybe that desensitization backfired, because maybe she opened the door to someone else without looking. Maybe she assumed it was me, so she swung it open, ready to cuss me out for being a dick. But maybe it was someone else, and now she needs me.”

  “She doesn’t need you,” he answers dryly. “She’s a grown-ass woman, and she survived twenty-something years without even knowing you.”

  “Hey, Chuck.”

  Kara is a woman I once knew in a way that wouldn’t make Nora happy. She sidles up to our little group in a mini skirt, and blocks Maddi out, like she’s jealous there’s a woman so close to me. She plasters her chest to mine so that her tits push up and spill out of her top. Long, blonde hair hangs loose and touches her ass when she folds her neck back to catch my eyes.

  Grinning, she smacks her gum, and studies me. “You need a little something to get you ready for your race?”

  “A little something?” Bry lifts his brows and chews on his bottom lip. “Yeah, Chuck. Do you need a little something to help you focus?”

  “No.” I reach back and unwind Kara’s octopus arms from around my hips, and, holding her in place, I take a long step back to place three feet between us. “Not interested.”

  “You’re…” Her green eyes widen in surprise. “What?”

  “Tucker?”

  I startle, and clutch at my chest when I spin at that sweet voice, at the crackle in her tone, and clutch at my chest when I look into Nora’s milky chocolate eyes.

  “Oh fuck. That wasn’t… I wasn’t…” I turn back to a grinning Bry. “How long was… She was there!” I turn back to Nora. “I told her no. I’m not interested, I swear. I didn’t touch.”

  She stands beside Jay fucking Bishop – tall, tatted, and armored up like he’s going to war. He wears a black beanie over his short hair, the sides pulled right down to his brows, and his lips flattened like he’s readying to take me the fuck out.

  He’s terrifying, polarizing, and ready to defend Nora’s honor. But still, my eyes go to Nora’s.

  “I didn’t touch her. I don’t want her.”

  “I’m sorry for saying mean things to you,” she whispers. Stepping forward, she takes my hands and brings them up to cup her neck. She looks down, so all I see is the top of her head, but she holds my hands in place, and rests her forehead on my chest. “What I said about your family was despicable.”

  “I didn’t touch Kara.”

  She brings her gaze up and cracks a small smile. “Ever?”

  Lie! Lie! Fucking lie!

  But I can’t.

  “Yes, we’ve… yes, in the past. But tonight…” I shake my head. “No. I swear.”

  “Did you race yet?” Her eyes flicker between mine. “Did I miss it?”

  “What the hell are you doing here?” I look around at the hundreds of people surrounding us. There are always this many, but tonight, many of them focus on us. My race is coming up, and I have a Bishop commando watching, and drawing attention. “Nora? What are you doing here?”

  “I’m being brave,” she chokes out. “I came to tell you I’m sorry, because what I said was mean and uncalled for. And I’m being brave, because racing is a sport for you, and I don’t want to fight with you every weekend when you want to do your sport.”

  “I’m sorry I shouted at you.”

  She snorts. “We’re so good at that. And our building isn’t on fire. I swear.”

  “You heard—” I turn my head and glare at my friend. “She heard all of that, and you didn’t say shit? What the fuck is wrong with you, Bry?”

  He only grins. “Oops?”

  “I’ve come to watch you race.” Nora pulls my face back around. “I’ve come to be your cheer girl or whatever it is the track girls do.”

  Bry leans around and grins for Nora. “Usually, they take their man somewhere private and give him a little something to settle his nerves.” He lifts a hand, circles his fingers, then he pokes the opposite pointer finger through the hole. “I promise not to look if you take Tuck for a little wander.”

  I swear, my heart might actually give out completely. It hurts, it beats so fast, and it can’t possibly be healthy. But then Nora shakes her head and tries to hide her blush.

  “Disgusting. You and your friends, disgusting.”

  “We can leave if you want to.” I bring her eyes up to meet mine. “We can leave. I don’t have to race.”

  “I want to watch you win,” she counters. “Just one race?”

  “One? Are you sure?” When she nods, my heart gives a heavy thud that almost knocks me on my ass. “Okay. Five minutes, then we can leave.”

  “Okay.” Her hands shake. Her lips quiver. Her eyes dance beneath unshed tears. But she smiles for me; no longer fake, but more ‘I’m doing my best.’ “One race, then we can go home?”

  “It’s called compromise.” I lean in and press a kiss to her lips, soft, close-mouthed at first. But then she sinks into it and sends me wild when her breath scorches into my throat.

  “Nora…” My breath shudders out. “You just…” I swallow. “I love you. I want you to know it’s real. And it’s unconditional.”

  She steps in and wraps her arms around my body until we’re connected from top to toe. She rests her ear on my chest, exhales a relieved sigh, then she murmurs, “I love you too. God knows, we’re going to send each other insane, but we’re going to try anyway.” Finally, she steps back and lets her hands drop. “I’m gonna stand with your friends, if that’s okay. We’ll watch you win, then you and I can go home and we can discuss the little something that Bryan mentioned.”

  “Aw fuck.” My cock throbs inside my jeans for the millionth time since meeting this woman.

  Turning, I intend to slingshot her to Bry for safekeeping, but then my eyes meet Kara’s again. “Ah damn, I forgot.”

  “Little bit awkward,” Bry coughs with a laugh.

  “Nora, I…”

  “It’s okay.” She looks to Kara, and stands taller, despite the fact Kara’s heels give her an extra two or three inches. Then she smiles. “Tucker is not available. I’m certain you’re disappointed, because he’s funny and kinda sexy, and he’s a really good cook, too, but he and I plan to spend the next seventy-five years together. Thank you for your enquiry.”

  “Oh shit.” Bry throws his head back to laugh. “That was the harshest dismissal I ever heard!” Grabbing my girl like they’re best friends from way back, he tugs Nora under his arm so he has one on each side. “I’m gonna look like a boss until you get back over the line. If you lose, I keep them both.”

  Maddi only rolls her eyes.

  “If you win,” he continues, “I pass her over, and you can collect your prize.”

  My eyes meet Nora’s. “We could leave now.” I want my prize now! “We could just go.”

  “Go race,” she laughs. “It took a lot of guts for me to come out here. Don’t waste it now. Go, show me how good you are at riding a motorcycle, then next time, if I don’t come, I can trust that you’re safe.”

  I look to Bry. Point my finger. “Don’t let her out of your sight.”

  “I got myself two beautiful ladies for the next five minutes. I’m not letting her go.”

  “Morris!” Manda, the race coordinator, stands by the starting line and waves a clipboard to gesture me over. “You have ninety seconds to roll up.”

  “Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck.” I race forward and slam my lips to Nora’s.

  My face is uncomfortably close to Bry’s, but Nora laughs into my mouth, her lips curve up, and her hand comes to the back of my head in demand.

  “I’ll be back.” I smack another kiss to her lips. Another. “Be good. Be safe.”

  “I’ll stand right here with your friends.”

  “Bry’s an idiot. Don’t listen to any damn thing he says.” I spin to Jay a
nd drag him to me for a fast hug that surprises him. “Thank you.”

  “Don’t fuck it up,” he rumbles. “I know how to make you disappear, and nobody will say a damn thing.”

  “I believe you.” I pull away. “I’ll be five minutes, then I’ve got her, and you can go.”

  He shakes his head and follows as I make my way to my bike. “I’m going now. She wants to be brave, which means I can’t hover.”

  My heart slams to a stop. “Dude—”

  “You’ve said it a dozen times already. We don’t let her grow, we don’t let her be brave. It’s her turn to stand up on her own.” He claps my shoulder and pushes me forward. “Have fun. And make sure you win, otherwise you’re gonna look like a pussy. Then she won’t want you anyway.”

  Nervous laughter bubbles along my throat as I turn and walk backwards so I can see Nora’s beautiful eyes. “You okay?” I shout above the crowd. “You swear?”

  She nods and steps out from beneath Bry’s arm. She stands two feet in front of him, on her own, strong, resilient, and so fucking beautiful in her bravery. “You’re gonna fly,” she calls to me.

  I’m gonna fly.

  “Morris!”

  I spin at Manda’s impatient shriek, and plop my helmet on my head.

  I’m up against another dirt bike tonight, a frog-green Kawasaki with wide tires and a meaty exhaust. I roll my dented, faded, and scratched bike to the line, and while a girl makes her way into the hot lane between us, I push my visor down.

  I peek over my shoulder and grin when I find Nora clutching her hands in front of her chest. Jay backs away in her distraction. She watches me with a smile, but he watches her with his own. Like a proud father, he only shakes his head when Nora watches me like I’m a rockstar.

  Turning away from her, Jay climbs into his car and forces the crowd to move the fuck out of his way or get hit, then he’s gone, and she’s standing in the dark, in a crowd, on her own. No gun, no dog, and she’s smiling.

  “Good luck, gentlemen!”

  I turn back to the woman standing between me and my opponent. I rev my bike when her hand comes up high, so when she brings it down again, I rocket away from the starting line and into the night.

  I’m flying.

  Epilogue

  “Welcome!”

  The moment Evie’s grandmother opens the front door of Tina and Aiden’s home, she grabs my hand and yanks me into the front room until I find myself crowded in a crush of fighters. So many people, so much noise, but not one of them star in my nightmares, so I turn back and snag Tucker’s hand when he only stands at the door and studies the crowd. I pull him in close, tuck my arm around his, and float around the living room with a giddy grin.

  Because this is a happy occasion. This is an exciting time.

  “You okay?” Tucker mistakes my happy nerves for fear. “You good?”

  “This crowd is fine.” I accept a hug from Evie’s Aunt Kit, from Ben’s stepdad, Oz, from Evie’s sweet mom, Tina. These people who never had to be my friend – and especially had no reason to like me, considering Evie and I weren’t friendly back in school – welcome me into their home, and hug me like the prodigal daughter has returned. “I don’t get scared here.”

  “This is a lot of people.” He peers around with wide eyes. “A metric fuckin’ ton.”

  I lead him through the crowd and head toward the kitchen. “I’ll protect you, I promise. Oh, Mac!” I grab on and yank him to us so Tucker has a friend he knows. “Where’s Evie and Ben?” I look around with a frown. “Where’s Aiden?”

  Mac snags a mini-quiche from a plate on the counter and stuffs the whole thing into his mouth. “I think Ben’s probably dead,” he speaks around his food, “Aiden’s likely in possession of a smoking gun, and Evie’s deciding how mad she is about it.”

  “Does her dad know?” I lean in to whisper. “Did she slip on the surprise?”

  “Well… no.” He wipes crumbs from his shirt and grins. “But she’s married, she hasn’t trained like normal in a while, she’s not sparring with anyone except Bean, and now they’re throwing a party. It’s kinda obvious, right?”

  I stand on my toes and peer from face to face. Aunts. Uncles. Cousins. Bry and Maddi from last night stand on the other side of the room, and watch me with playful smiles.

  “I don’t know,” I murmur. “I mean, it could still be a surprise. I doubt her daddy is rushing toward this moment, so maybe he’s blanking it out as a kind of self-preservation.”

  “Perfect!” Mac laughs. “Perfect attitude to bring into this event. Hey, Daddy, I’m knocked-up. I know it’s your worst nightmare, but get on board.”

  Mac’s stepdad stops beside us and stares at his kid with laughing eyes. “You’re calling people Daddy now? The fuck is wrong with you, kid?”

  “Forget you heard any damn thing,” Mac growls. “Put it in the vault, Cap.”

  “All I heard was that you’re knocked-up, and the father’s name is Daddy. Is it, like, the kinky kind of daddy, or did you fuck someone’s actual dad? Because how you answer that will dictate the rest of this conversation.”

  Mac’s eyes roll to the sky. “Shut up. Go away. And don’t tell Mom.”

  “Your mom knows everything, dipshit. She always knows everything, which is how she knows you plan to surprise Bean with a vacation after Christmas.” He shakes his head and winks for me as he steps away. “Kids these days, I swear. You have no clue how to keep your mouths shut. This new generation of gangsters is fuckin’ weak. You’d all fold the second a guy takes out a pair of pliers.”

  “Shut it, Cap!” Mac turns and follows Eric with his eyes. “Zip it or lose it!”

  Eric is a nice man. He really, really is, but he walks away now, and flips Mac off as he goes.

  “I gotta stop speaking.” Mac turns back and grits his teeth. “He just overheard me.”

  “I think Eric is right,” I murmur. “It’s not a very well-kept secret. We’re not in high school anymore. Ben and Evie are married, and they’ve been caught banging at the gym at least twice a week for years. This is the next logical step.”

  “What’s the next logical step?” Jack – Evie’s favorite uncle – pokes his head into our group, and smiles so a single dimple pops in his cheek. “Whatcha kids talking about?”

  “Um… Nothing.” My voice squeaks. “Where’s Evie?”

  “She’s upstairs getting ready, I think.”

  “Oh… okay. Um, where’s Aiden?”

  “He’s out the back with Bobby. He’s working through his rage.”

  “His rage?” My heart gives a painful splat. “Um… why’s he mad?”

  The former three-or-four-time heavyweight champion of the world, Jack ‘The Jackhammer’ Reilly, only shrugs and taps my nose as he continues his way through the party. “No clue. You look cute tonight, by the way. I like your smile.”

  “Um… thanks!” I stand on my toes and wave at his back. “Thank you!”

  “I’m pretty sure everyone knows,” Tucker laughs. “Her dad is in the yard rage-fighting. Pretty sure that’s a red flag right there.”

  “Let’s go see.”

  And then it hits me.

  “Wait, who is he rage fighting? Nobody said where Ben is yet!”

  I break away from my little pack, and race through the kitchen. I bump into fighters as they mill about, I don’t scream when hands grab me to stop me from tripping; instead, I worry about the funeral I’m probably days away from attending.

  Bursting onto the back deck, I find Aiden, Bobby, and Kane, rocking in old wooden chairs, with a beer in hand, and smiles on their faces.

  They’re not fighting. They’re smiling, mid-joke, as they turn and look up to me.

  “Hey, you okay?” Aiden’s eyes scour my face. Everyone is so conditioned to worry about me, it’s kind of embarrassing that he slowly lowers his foot from the foot stool. He sits forward – slowly. They treat me like a trapped animal, and do everything they can to not spook me. “You looking for Ben, or…?�
��

  Despite the fact Ben is Evie’s husband, they know he’s my touchstone, my protector… my crutch. Instead of fighting against it, they allow me my weakness without judgment.

  “Um… no.” I laugh off the adrenaline that races through my blood. “Whew. No, I was just wondering where Evie is. Uh…” I look from Aiden, to Bobby, to a smirking Kane. “You guys having a good time?”

  “Sure are.” Kane waggles his brows. “Have a good time last night?”

  “Um…”

  “What did you do last night?” Aiden stands, pats his now-empty chair, and shuffles me over to sit down. “What’s he asking about?”

  I went to Piper’s Lane! And then I had sex; dirty, filthy, verging on painful sex that lasted a hell of a lot longer than three minutes.

  “I… uh… I had a date.”

  “Yeah?” Aiden’s eyes snap to the men at my back. Tucker and Mac. One of them is engaged to his niece. The other… is possibly in a little bit of trouble. “Was he a gentleman?”

  Do gentlemen bite a woman’s ass? Literally.

  “Yes, of course.” I settle back in the wooden chair, and exhale when Aiden sits on the footstool. “Um… actually, do you know Tucker?” I wave over my shoulder. “Tucker Morris, Aiden Kincaid.”

  Aiden stands again, reaches out, and when their hands meet, he squeezes extra hard, for extra long. “We know who each other are, of course. But this is the first time he’s been brought home as a date.” He tilts his head a little to the side. “What are your intentions, son?”

  “Aiden!” I explode amid nervous laughter. “You can’t ask things like that!”

  “Why the fuck not?” He releases Tucker’s hand and looks to me. “I’ve known you a long time, sweetheart. I don’t see anyone else asking the important questions. If any man has a problem with that question, then it’s time they were shown to the door anyway.”

  “His intentions are to… like…” My heart pounds. “I don’t know! To spend time with me. That’s it.”

  “I spend time with you.” Aiden’s jaw flexes with threat. “Doesn’t mean I’m gonna marry you.”

  “Marry?” I squeak. “What the h—” I stop and shake my head. “You gotta focus on your own daughter, Mr. Kincaid. I can’t… I don’t…”