Page 73 of Burning Ember

“Cajun called. Said him and Kite and their crew will be down for the party,” Dozer tells Mav.

“I want every HOC here. That way if the GBs don’t like what our decision is, we’re ready.” Mav’s arm comes around the back of my chair. Whether he means to or not he’s touching my shoulder blades. “We’re goin’ all out. Invite the girls from the club and have Lily, Rigor, and Nick stock up on all the food, liquor, and beer we’re gonna need.”

They discuss a few more details about the party as the poker game continues. Bodie plays a couple of hands, but then stands. While meeting Taz’s gaze, he calls the twins over, puts his arms over their shoulders, and escorts them down the hallway.”

“Haven’t seen Davis around. Ortega wisen up and fire his ass?” Griz asks Mav.

“No, but he’s been warned if he comes within two hundred feet of the clubhouse, he will be. Ortega stuck him with a rookie too. The kid’s reporting his whereabouts twenty-four-seven. So he’ll be out of our hair for a while.”

I let out a long, pent up breath I don’t remember holding.

Davis is gone.

I can leave.

Although, if I do, Davis might make me a more wanted woman than I already am.

“You’re up, Babe.” Dozer waves his hand in front of my face. I come out of my daze, but only long enough to fold. My head’s no longer on the game. I need to go up to Dozer’s room. I need time to think.

Faking a yawn, I say, “Honestly, I can barely keep my eyes open. I’m going to go to bed.” I push my remaining chips to Dozer. “This should cover what I owe you.Please, keep the rest.” Dozer frowns but I think he catches on to my pleading tone, because he pulls them over to him without another word.

I get to my feet, but before I can leave, a warm hand curls around my fingers.

“Wait.”

The strength in Mav’s grip sends my tummy a flutter, and from where we’re joined, little pinpricks of electricity shoot up my arm. He peers at our hands for a moment and then his maple eyes meet mine.

“Yeah?”

He doesn’t say anything for what seems like eternity. “The old ladies are comin’ in to discuss details for the party tomorrow. Make sure you and the other girls make yourselves scarce when they get here.”

My chest tightens. So he considers me one of them. A clubpiece. I nod and he lets my hand go.

“You not walkin’ her to your room?” he questions Dozer.

Dozer shrugs. “It’s a couple of stairs, man. What trouble she gonna get into?”

Mav’s silent. However, his scowl says it all. He still doesn’t trust me. “That’s not the deal.” Mav stands and grates out, “I’ll take her.”

“No.” Dozer lets out frustrated huff. “I’ll do it. Watch my stash.” He grabs my hand. “Come on, Babe.” Then proceeds to drag me down the hall and up the stairs.

It sounds like an orgy’s in full effect on the second floor. Bodie’s door is open and he and the twins are doing their best to bring down the house, maybe even on purpose.

Dozer unlocks his door and pushes it open. I thought he’d simply say goodnight close the door and go back to the game, but instead he pulls me over to the bed and sits down beside me. Right away, my nerves go into hyper drive.What is he doing?

“Why’d you throw the game? Because of Mav?”

I sigh, relieved when he just wants to talk. “How’d you guess?”

He shrugs. “You got all twitchy and stopped playing, like your head wasn’t in it.”

I’m not going to deny it. “He’s looking for any reason to toss me out on the street. I wasn’t about to hand him one on a silver platter.”

“You didn’t have to do that. Bluffin’ your way through a card game isn’t gonna get you tossed.” Dozer pulls me onto his lap. He’s touching me more than usual. Getting braver maybe. I don’t like that he can easily move me around like I’m a rag doll. It scares me.

I sweep my hair out of my face. “I wasn’t sure what he’d do. I thought it might be safer to just throw the game. Next time, I’ll just play straight up.”

Dozer’s hand rests on my thigh. I want to brush it off or stand up to remove it, but I force myself not to react. I must not be a very good actor tonight though, because he says, “Easy, babe. It’s just me and you.”