Page 48

The man smiled a gleaming, charming, lopsided smile, and I was sure that this man was very popular with women—and I was even more sure that heknewit.

“I’m Charmer,” he held out a hand.

“Zarina,” I said, shaking his offered hand.

Charmer didn’t let go once the shake was complete, instead bringing my hand up to his lips to kiss the back of it.

I cringed away, pulling my hand free.

His mouth fell open in mock offence and shock, placing a hand over his heart.

“Chivalryisdead!” He cried and pounded his fist on the table.

“I don’t think that’s what chivalry is,” I shook my head, just as Ashe spat “Go away!” through gritted teeth.

“Is this the Santino girl you… ya know?” Another man slid into the booth, not looking at me.

“For fuck’s sake…” Ashe muttered into his hand.

“Yes,” I smiled, offering my hand to him. “Zarina.”

He shook it once, quickly but gently. “Bull.”

Bull was a giant, probably the tallest person I had ever seen in my life. But he was wide, too. His frame was bulky and sturdy, and he took up most of the space in the booth. The grey shirt that he wore seemed to strain against the thick trunks he had for arms, and I honestly wondered how somebody came to be this large.

He was quite the stark opposite to Charmer, who was handsome, but lean. The pair looked like different versions of the beast from Beauty and the Beast.

Charmer was much more like the human form of the prince, with defined muscles and a nearly clean-shaven jaw. His hair was an almost-black that looked brown when the light hit it, ruffled and mussed in an intentional way.

But Bull much more resembled the Beast, his light brown waves flowing down the nape of his neck and scruffy beard covering much of his face.

“Do we operate on a nickname-only basis or something?” I arched a brow.

“Vince,” Ashe said, pointing at Charmer. “Liam,” he then pointed at Bull.

“Dude!” the pair whined in unison.

Ashe sat back in his chair with a contented smile on his face, cradling his drink and taking a small sip.

“It’s fine,” I put my hands up in surrender. “I’ll call you by your dumbass nicknames. Bloody bikers.”

“Ha!” Charmer snorted a laugh. “So we’re just gonna cruise right by the fact that your name literally just meansPrincess?”

“Baby, I know what my name means,” I cooed playfully. “I fucking earn it too.”

Charmer frowned for a moment, considering me, before nodding slowly.

“I can appreciate that.”

I rolled my eyes, tipping back the rest of my drink.

“Plus,” I wiped my mouth on my sleeve. “I didn’t give myself the name, so it’s different.”

“We don’t pick our names either,” Bull frowned.

My brows lifted.

“They’re given to us,” Charmer nodded.