Page 33 of All That Glitters

“What’s going on?”

“Not much, just talking about these prospects. What’s your take on them?”

“I can’t even remember their names.” Toot snorts at that. “So I’d say none of them stand out.”

“That’s what I’m talking about,” Circus says to Mac.

“If they aren’t standing out, they’re not fucking up, though. That’s gotta count for something, right?” Toot chimes in, watching me.

I shrug. “True. I’m just not sure I trust any of them to have my back if it came down to it.”

“You think they can’t be trusted?” Hannibal leans forward.

I get why he asks, given that one of our prospects threw his in with Bear and Snake.

“No. I think they’re pussies. They’re more likely to run than pull their guns and cover my back.”

Circus grunts, nodding his head in agreement. “We’ll bring it up in church.”

“We have three new ones starting soon.”

“I hate breaking in new ones,” Toot whines. “They’re so damn needy.”

Hannibal grins, sending a shiver down my spine. “That’s my favorite part.”

Toot groans. I shake my head—those poor fuckers. I look around the room for the familiar head of blonde hair but can’t find her.

“She’s not here. She took off right after you and Kiki went upstairs,” Hannibal says, catching everyone else’s attention.

“I’m not looking for anyone.”

“Right.” He smirks, getting to his feet. “I’m off to play then. I think I’ll go find Legs. The sex is always better when you’ve got her panties in a twist.”

I grip the edge of my seat to stop myself from wrapping my hands around his neck and choking him out. He waits for me to say something, but when I don’t, he grins maniacally and heads for the door.

“Fuck. Hannibal?” I call after him, making him stop and turn. “Don’t.”

I don’t say anything else. He doesn’t need me to. His cold eyes stare at me for a second, but I can’t tell what he’s thinking, and that scares the shit out of me. Then he turns. “Make a choice, Midas,” he says over his shoulder, walking off before I can tell him I’ve already made my choice. I’m just trying to figure out how to live with it.

I turn to look at the guys and find them all staring at me. “You got something to say, too? Seems like every man and his fucking dog has an opinion about me right now.”

Circus holds his hands up. “Don’t look at me, I’m Switzerland.”

“What about you two?” I ask Mac and Toot.

Mac shrugs. “Has nothing to do with me. But Hannibal’s right, though—which is something I never thought I’d say. You’ve gotta decide what you want, because there are some things you just can’t take back.”

“You think I don’t know that, Mac? I’m trying to limit the damage. I know I’ve gotta end it before I hurt her even worse. I just don’t know how. How do I tell her that being a club girl is not something I can just get over?” I don’t tell him that walking away might just break me. I’ve got nobody to blame but myself because she never lied about who she is; I’m the one who dabbles in denial when it suits me.

Toot grins. “If you can’t get past her being a club girl, then its already over. I guess that means you don’t have a problem with us fucking her? Because I gotta tell you, that woman’s pussy?—”

I punch him before it even registers. Luckily, he was expecting it and turned, taking the brunt to his shoulder.

“Yeah, that’s what I thought. Not wanting to hurt Legs is one thing, but how many times are you gonna end it? Because every time you push her away, you reel her right back in again. This whole thing is like a car crash waiting to happen, and I hate to break it to you, Midas, but you won’t walk away unscathed in this either.”

And fuck me, but the truth hurts. I almost wish he’d punched me back instead.

Chapter Eight