Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 34572 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 173(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34572 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 173(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
Tony nodded and Gabriel slammed his fist against the bastard’s face for good measure. Removing his blade, he cleaned the blood off and left the basement, heading back into the casino.
This time, he didn’t linger but headed back into his car, to go take care of some other business. A local MC wanted to do a drug run through his streets. It was polite to ask permission, but seeing as he had his own product to deal with, he was going to decline. When it came to bikers, he kept a wide berth and always tried to come up with a reasonable outcome.
Tony was a piece of shit.
What had Claire seen in him?
Why the fuck did he care?
Running a hand over his face, he tried to clear the fog from his mind. He wondered what Claire would say when Tony arrived with all of her things. He hadn’t done this for Claire, but for his sister.
When it came to Rhianna, he didn’t want her to ever go without. All his life, he’d made sure she never suffered. Their parents had been poor excuses for human beings, their deaths a blessing, and he’d gotten full guardianship of his sister.
He would protect her. Even as he thought about his sister, he couldn’t help but think about Claire. The two came together, but soon he’d have her out of his life for good.
****
The bar was closed.
Claire stood in the doorway, watching one of the women. She was the final dancer to work her magic on three men. It didn’t come as a shock when one man opened his pants and pulled his cock out, and started to work the length. She’d gotten used to such a blatant display.
Tammy, the dancer, not her real name, loved the attention. Claire had talked to most of the strippers and learned that each one was addicted to the power their body gave them.
She tensed up as she became aware of him. Gabriel stood right behind her, watching.
He didn’t touch her but his heat surrounded her. She waited for him to speak first.
Neither of them said a word.
His hand on her hip startled her.
“Is it time to leave?” she asked, whispering.
“I don’t mind you enjoying the show.” His lips brushed her ear. Her nipples tightened and she wanted to squeeze her thighs closed. She didn’t dare move.
“Is this something you’d want to do? Strip, spread yourself open, show every single part of yourself for men to admire, to crave? They all want to touch her, but in this room, they can look, never touch.”
Tammy had already removed her clothes and spread her legs wide. The lighting was low, giving only a hint of her pussy.
Gabriel’s hand tightened on her hip.
“I’m ready to leave.” She pulled away, not wanting to see any more. Casey always dealt with the last customers. Pulling out of his hold, she tried not to mourn the loss of his touch. She walked toward the car. The men were smoking as she neared but she ignored them, climbing into the backseat.
She removed her shoes and sat back.
Heat filled her body. She wanted to touch herself, to think of someone touching her, not being able to control himself.
Gabriel joined her, and neither of them spoke. The scent of cigarette smoke filled the car as the men climbed into the front. They sprayed some lavender to cover the odor. She rolled her eyes and looked out the window, heading back to his apartment.
She’d been apartment hunting as well. She’d gotten some good tips, and her first paycheck was due in two weeks.
So far, Gabriel hadn’t asked for rent or to help with the food bill. She cooked for all three of them and cleaned. She tried to do her part so she didn’t feel like she was some kind of pest.
Arriving back in the private parking zone, she didn’t follow Gabriel out, but opened the door and walked ahead of him to the elevator.
She didn’t look at his reflection as they walked on. The metal doors closed.
Silence rang out.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. She held her shoes in her hand and waited.
The elevator doors opened up and she stepped out, waiting for him to open the door.
Once inside, she put the shoes down and was about to leave when Gabriel grabbed her and pressed her against the closed door.
He tilted her head up and she stared into his eyes. His body so close and she liked it.
She waited.
“What the fuck is going on?” he asked.
“Nothing.”
“No?” His hand went to her hip. “Nothing is going on in that head of yours?”
“I’m tired. I want to go to bed.”
“Do you?” he asked.
“What else would I want to do?”
His hand moved down and she gasped as he cupped her between the thighs. His touch sent a wave of need flooding every single part of her body. She licked her lips. His palm crushed against her clit and she closed her eyes, biting her lip.