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Nico came back to the table. He put his hand on Star’s shoulder as Star made space for him. Oh. They were pack mates. The thought was slightly terrifying. One look at Nico and you knew he was dangerous. Star? He was pretty, stylish. Drool worthy. But you could see violence simmering behind his cocky grin.

Nico handed me two blue ice packs and snapped open a heavy cotton napkin.

“Thank you,” I said softly, curling the ice pack around my fist. I sighed. It felt good. Justice squeezed my knee under the table.

“I thought gambling was Win’s racket,” Ren said, pointing to the posters scattered across the table. They were print proofs, so not finalized designs.

Star nodded, spreading out a stack of posters on the table. “We’re looking to replace some lost income from canceling most of the illegal fight nights. Poker nights instead.” He tapped one of the posters showing a stylized image of poker chips and playing cards with “KNIGHTBRIDGE HIGH STAKES” emblazoned across the top.

“You should come consult for us, Ren,” Star said, “rather than working for my brother Win. The pay and hours would be better.”

Ren took a sip of his drink. “I’ll talk to my pack about it.” I could tell Ren was interested, but wasn’t going to commit to anything.

I studied the posters, my brow furrowing as I took in the designs. They were sleek, professional… and aggressively alpha.

“Something wrong with them?” Star asked, noticing my scrutiny.

I looked up. All the alphas were staring at me.

I took a deep breath. I had just beat an alpha up. Granted, he was tied up, but still. I could give an honest opinion.

“They’re very alpha-coded,” I said, pulling one closer. “They won’t appeal to betas, certainly not omegas. That’s a missed opportunity.”

Star’s eyebrows shot up. “Oh, that’s interesting.” he drawled. “How so?”

“Betas would love a way to show up alphas that doesn’t result in broken bones and bleeding,” I continued, flexing my bruised hand. “Poker evens the playing field. It’s about strategy, not strength.”

“He’s right,” Nico said, leaning forward.

“And if you added an omega-only night,” I said, the idea forming as I spoke, “you could make a lot of money.”

Star looked skeptical. “How do you figure?”

“Male omegas have tons of disposable income,” I explained. “Most of us work and we keep our income. It’s kind of tradition that male omegas have pack money and their own money. So male omegas in packs have lots of cash in their pockets. There are so few safe spaces for male omegas, and most things for omegas are pink and girlie.” I echoed something I had heard Justice say a lot.

Star sat back to evaluate me, spinning a ring on his index finger. He was gorgeous and totally fucking intimidating. Fuck it. I had opened my mouth. I was going for it.

I tapped the poster. “Not catering to male omegas would be another missed opportunity. And you could run a PR angle, make it a fundraiser for a good cause.”

Star stared at me for a long moment, then looked at Justice. “Where did you find him?”

“On a cruise,” Justice said, a hint of pride in his voice.

“You’d have to start with an omega-only night first, though.”

“Why is that?” Nico asked.

I licked my lips. This could be a touchy subject. “Alphas are assholes. Especially when they are losing. And casinos are not a safe space for omegas who are susceptible to an alpha bark. Most omegas have never played in an actual casino setting. Online play is a lot different from in-person.”

Star shook his head, looking genuinely impressed. “You want a job too, Theo?”

I blinked, surprised. “I, uh…”

“He’s taken,” Justice said, his voice dark and eerie. It made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck and gave me an instant hardon. He was doing something with his aura.

Star addressed Justice, and Justice only. “I’m serious. I want both of their input. Their professional expertise.”

Justice was stone cold, and didn’t move a muscle.