Page 24 of The Killer Card

“Of course he is,” she rolls her eyes. “All of you are stupid attractive, that’s not the point.” I blink but have no room to elaborate on that before she’s smacking my arm. “Admit they’re perfect for each other.”

“I admit nothing,” I shake my head. “I will not be the reason she cheats on her boyfriend—”

“But he sucks,” she draws out the word long enough for me to know this is not her second martini.

“Then she will have to grow up, be a grown ass bitch, and dump him before she gets with my boy.” I pick up my beer. “I shant play a part in your schemes. No matter how great they are together,” I mutter around the rim of my glass.

Naomi smacks my arm again. “I knew it!”

“Okay, one,” I hold up a finger. “If you want to keep hitting me, I’m getting us a room. Two,” she rolls her eyes aggressively. “You should be worrying less about those two and more about your little blonde friend and Rowan.”

Naomi shakes her. “Oh, I’m not worried about them. They will absolutely fuck eventually. No meddling needed, I just get to sit back and watch that one. Clara is easy, Nelly is my problem child.”

Smiling, I lean my cheek on my fist. “So, you’re like the mom of the group?” I ask, trying to steer the conversation toward her. Towards getting to know her.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Poppy to death. She’s become like a sister to me- a much better one than the one I already have- and Clara is sweet as pie. But I’m not interested in, you know, sleeping with either of them, and not only because I like my dick exactly where it is. I’ve watched Elias pine after Poppy for weeks. I’ve watched Rowan drool over Rubia for just as long, he’s just not as obvious about it. I’ve heard all I need to hear about them both and almost nothing about the woman sitting next to me. She’s an enigma outside of the few things Poppy has told me, and I am so desperate for more.

Naomi reaches up, patting the coiled bun of her braids atop her head with a shrug. “I prefer puppet master. Or ringleader? Someone has to be, they’re so helpless sometimes.”

“But you have it all together?”

She shrugs again, taking another sip of her martini. “I mean, I wouldn’t say I have it all together. But I’m not afraid to say the shit that needs to be said.”

“No,” I laugh. “I definitely got that about you, mi reina.” This woman is bold as brass. “In what ways do you not have it together then?”

A smirk plays on her lips, even as her eyes narrow. “What is this? Trying to get me to be vulnerable with you? Get to know all my deepest darkest secrets?” She snorts, taking a sip of her martini, wagging a finger in my face. “We’re not that close yet, Gray.”

The fact that she continues to use my club nickname is more than a little vexing since I’m perfectly free to use hers. “Tell me about your family then.” She raises a brow. “Your brother owns this club? What’s he like?”

“I mean, obviously a little bit of a freak,” she laughs. “He’s very open about who he is, too open in my opinion. Frankly, I’d like to know less about my brother’s sexual preferences but, alas, here we are.”

“Okay, noted. Horny older brother. Any chance I’ve met him?”

“There is a high probability you’ve fucked him and don’t know it,” she nods, admitting she knows my own proclivities do not only point toward women. “He prefers to be anonymous about his involvement here. Which is why he sends me to keep an eye out, clean up his books, scare Gavin every now and then.”

“Oh,” I lean my head back. “That’s who Gavin is always muttering about. I thought the club had gotten a new disruptive client or shareholder. But nope, just the owner.”

“And his ex,” she confirms.

“Poor Gavin.”

“Poor Gavin?! Poor me! Nathan still fucks him half the time he comes into town, he’s doing just fine. I have to sacrifice half my nights to come in and play boss.”

“Because you’re so opposed,” I joke.

“Of course not, but I still want him to feel bad.” She sets down her empty glass.

I smile, finishing my beer. “Aren’t you just the best little sister.”

Naomi chuckles, taking her magazine from the couch. My heart sinks as I watch her stand, and like a simp I reach for her hand. “Wait, no,” I beg- because I’m pathetic- “Don’t go.”

Gently, Naomi extracts her hand from mine. “This has been fun, Gray, but I do already have plans tonight.”

She glances behind her and I follow her eyes to wear a tall, handsome man half my age is leaning against the bar. There’s a pink band around his wrist and he smiles demurely when he catches her eye. Looking back down at me, she pats my shoulder.

“Thank you for keeping me company while I waited for him to arrive.” She tucks her magazine under her arm, sashaying out of the alcove. Away from me. “Maybe we can do this friend thing after all.”

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