Page 2 of Link (Dragon Riders MC 1)
But if cops patrolled our area more than usual?
That would certainly hurt business.
“That’s not all though,” Ice said.
I picked up my three new cards. “Fucking hell. What else do you have?”
He grinned. “Shitty hand or shitty anticipation?”
“Both,” I murmured.
The other presidents at the table chuckled as I plucked three more cards from my hand.
“Hit me one more time,” I said.
Ice’s eyebrows rose. “Sure thing, Link.”
I watched as Ice only needed one card and I figured I was fucked already.
Then, Ice continued. “Rumor on the streets says the Golden Jags are trying to work with a new group in town to get their merchandise.”
I paused. “Do you know who the new group is?”
He shook his head. “No one does. I’ve tried to figure that out all damn week. The rumors are everywhere, so you know it’s rooted in some sort of truth. But I can’t figure out who the new players are.”
“That might be why they got themselves into trouble. If the crew is new to this area, they don’t know how to operate within parameters yet.”
“Which draws attention to them.”
“Hence the shootout with the DEA.”
He sighed. “You think those assholes will ever learn their lesson?”
I snickered. “Not a fat chance in hell.”
I peeked around the table at the rest of the presidents. There were five men at the table. Yet, only two of us were talking. I mean, sure. Ice and I ran the two biggest crews this side of New York. But it was uncanny how quiet the other men were.
I wanted to press them as to why, but I also wanted to concentrate on their little ticks. On their tells. I wanted information, but I also wanted their money. Especially since we had anted up two thousand a piece.
“I’m out,” one of the guys said.
“Yeah, me, too,” another said.
The third sighed. “Fucking hell, Ice. You stacking this deck or what?”
I chuckled as the other three men slapped their cards onto the table. I peered over at Ice as he sat there with a satisfied smile on his face. But little did he know the hand I already held.
“So? What’ll it be?” I asked.
Ice blinked. “Ah, fuck. I’m out, too.”
I blinked. “What?”
Ice pointed at me. “I know that voice. I know that tone of voice. You're sitting on something massive right now. That’s your tell. I never fucking know when you’re bluffing, but I sure as hell know when you’re not. And right now, you’re about to kick all of our asses.”
I grinned. “You think so, huh?”
“Yeah. And you’re not getting any more of my money tonight. At all.”
I laid my cards down. “Well, sucks to be you. Since I don’t have anything.”
I set down the random cards in my hands as all of the guys grumbled and groaned. I laughed with pride as I scooped all of the chips my way, enjoying my needless win. The most important aspect about poker was one that always got overlooked. One thing always got shoved off to the side in favor of the rules, the techniques, or all of the ways to lie.
If one was self-aware, poker was easy as pie.
“Jesus Christ,” Ice murmured.
I grinned. “Care to go again?”
“No!” all of the men said in unison.
I held up my hands. “Okay, okay, okay. Ash!”
The door behind him whipped open. “Yeah, boss?”
“Bring in the girls.”
The guys clapped their hands and rubbed them together as Ash beckoned for the ladies. Five of them walked in. One for each of us. And as they made their way to our sides, I watched the presidents push themselves away from the table. Ice patted his knee while some of the guys got up to kiss their ladies of the night. Dressed in sparkling clothes with slits in places that made any man’s mouth water, a pair of hands landed on my shoulders. My eyes fell closed as a woman started massaging my shoulders. I watched one of the girls sink to her knees as Ice leaned back and spread his legs. I shook my head and chuckled to myself as I turned my chair, giving the two of them some privacy. And as the rest of the men made their way out of the room with their girls, I raised my finger.
“Don’t forget to pay your exit percentage to Ash.”
Ice grunted. “Like we fucking won anything anyway.”
The woman behind me pressed her lips to my ear. “Congratulations, big winner.”
I shrugged off her touch. “Thanks, doll. But you’re free to go for the night.
I reached down for my pile of chips and plucked out four of them. I dropped them into her hand as her eyes widened, counting them to make sure she got it right. Yep. Four thousand dollars. Just for her, for being the cutest little thing she could be. Wasn’t her fault I wasn't in the mood tonight.
