Call My Bluff Read online

  “Blackjack,” Ember calls out, snapping me back into reality. My eyes flick to hers as she assesses me.

  Her eyes drop to my cards, and I peer down at my Ace and Queen, while a slow grin forms on my lips. “I think you’re my lucky charm.”

  “I can’t be your lucky charm if I don’t even know your name.”

  My eyes meet hers. She stills her movements as we stare at each other. “It’s nice to meet you, Ember. I’m Viper.”

  She pulls her bottom lip in with her teeth and nods, sliding my winning chips over. I take in my prize money pushing it up into a pile.

  Right now, I really do feel like a winner.

  I think I’m starting to love being in Vegas.

  Chapter Four

  EMBER

  Viper’s been at my table for hours. Other patrons have come and gone, but none have been as lucky as he has with the deck. I don’t believe he’s counting cards, I just think he’s on a winning streak. The thing is, I don’t want him to leave. Our witty banter has me in stitches. Plus, he’s really freaking good to look at. That leather cut, his short brown hair, the close beard on his oval face, but his eyes—those haunted eyes—they’ve seen a well of torment. The blue in them pierces through me like the waves of the ocean crashing against the shore.

  It moves something in me.

  It’s indescribable.

  I haven’t missed the dog tags around his neck, but I’m assuming if he’s wearing a biker’s cut, he’s ex-military. His broad chest makes me think there are muscles under his shirt that go on for days. Not to mention his arms, one of which is completely covered in ink, but both are muscular as fuck. He’s all my dreams come to life in a package right in front of me. I’m meant to be professional at work, but there’s something about Viper that has me acting out. I hate this job, so having a little fun tonight feels like the right thing to do.

  My boss is an asshole anyway.

  “What time do you get off?” Viper asks casually.

  What time do you want to get me off? I giggle to myself.

  “Bit presumptuous of you, isn’t it, commando?”

  He places his fists on the table. “Okay, what’s with this commando thing?”

  Busted! Think quick.

  I reach over the table, picking up his dog tags. The cold metal sits lifeless against my skin compared to the warmth he’s exuding. “You were a commando, right?”

  Viper’s eyes glass over like he’s reliving a memory. I let the dog tags fall to his chest, his eyes focus again like it snapped him back into reality. “Army pilot.”

  I exhale. “Call sign, Viper?”

  His lips turn up slightly, but there’s sadness behind his eyes. “You’re sexy and smart.”

  I shrug. “I try.”

  “That was another time, though. The club is my life now.”

  We’ve stopped playing cards and are now talking. This isn’t allowed, but then again, fuck the establishment. I am sure I will cop it later, but right now I am interested in what Viper has to say. “Why did you leave the Army?”

  Viper rolls his shoulders. “Discharged.”

  Shit, that’s heavy. I don’t want to push, so I don’t. “You wanna play another hand and keep kicking my ass?”

  He slides a hundred-dollar chip over. Viper’s amounted quite the pile of chips in the hours he’s been playing. I slide out the cards, getting on with the game when four security guards walk with purpose down the hall.

  Someone’s in trouble!

  Viper hits the table, I slide his card over, and he hits twenty again. I shake my head, letting out a small laugh as the security detail steps up beside Viper and me. My eyes widen, stopping what I’m doing as Viper glances at the guys.

  Shit!

  Damn!

  Fuck!

  “Ember, I’m going to need you and your player to come with us,” Scott, the security guard, advises.

  Viper narrows his eyes on Scott as he sits taller, glancing around as if searching for backup.

  “Guys, what’s this about?” I ask.

  “Bates has been called in. He wants a word… with both of you,” Scott advises.

  Great, we’ve skipped Tim, the pit boss, and are headed straight for the head honcho.

  Viper sits forward. “What’s going on, Ember?”

  “We have to go with them, we’ve been flagged.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Enough! C’mon, let’s go,” Scott warns, shoving me a little as Garry grabs Viper by his cut, yanking him from his seat.

  My eyes widen as Viper shrugs out of Garry’s grip, glaring at him. “You ever fucking touch my cut again, I swear to God I will tear your arm off at the shoulder then shove it up your ass.”

  Garry widens his eyes holding up his hands. “Whatever! Just walk.”

  I move out beside Viper, and we make our way with the guards. All the other dealers watch me understanding precisely what’s going on. I cringe, hating that they think they know what’s happening, but they have no idea.

  Bates got it wrong.

  Viper leans into my side, his woodsy aftershave teamed with the hint of leather is intoxicating. “Talk to me.”

  “They’re taking us to the casino owner. He thinks I was letting you win,” I whisper.

  “Bullshit!” he yells making everyone turn to face us. He glares at me. “That’s bullshit,” he repeats but in a quieter tone.

  I shrug. “I know.”

  He stands taller. “Don’t worry, I’ll settle it.”

  I’m sure you will.

  We turn down a smaller hall toward Bates’ office. The hall is dimly lit giving it an ominous ambiance. I want to grab hold of Viper’s hand, but that would be stupid. I’ve only known him for all of maybe three hours.

  Scott leads the way. He opens the door to Bates’ office, and he walks in first, we follow behind him. The room is dull but massive. Scott leads us around the corner, past a large desk, and through to another room. When we enter, there are two chairs in the middle. It’s like an interrogation room.

  Scott shoves me forward. I stumble slightly, but Viper grips hold of me before I fall.

  He turns, glaring at Scott. “Touch her again, and I’ll shoot you, you motherfucker!”

  Scott laughs, shaking his head. “Sit down. Both of you.”

  I swallow a lump that’s firmly caught in my throat as I brush past Viper’s hand, leading us over to the chairs. A tingle shoots all the way from the tips of my fingers, right up my arm, and straight into my chest from simply touching him. I gasp. His eyes wander over my body as if he’s checking to see if I’m okay. Then he observes the room. I think he’s checking for exits, but the only way out is the way we came in. Though on the downside, Scott and Garry are standing at the entry guarding it.

  “Is this normal?” Viper asks.

  I shrug. “Honestly, I’m not sure. I’ve never been in this situation before.”

  A door creaks and footsteps echo in the other room.

  “Okay, boys, our turn,” Bates calls.

  Scott and Gary step aside as three men wearing black assault gear and carrying machine guns step into the room.

  Viper stands abruptly, stepping in front of me.

  I tense up, fear pummels through my body like a raging typhoon.

  What the actual fuck?

  “Who the hell are you?” Viper grunts out as Bates walks through the door.

  “I could ask you the very same thing.” His gray suit appears expensive but barely covers his rotund stomach, his white hair excessively oily, and his overly red face obvious from too much cholesterol seems even redder today.

  “I’m the motherfucking president of the Chicago Defiance MC. I ask again… who the fuck are you?”

  Bates chuckles, walking in with his gun-wielding lackeys in tow. I’m not sure what the hell this is, but I want no part in it.

  “I’m the owner of this casino. If I think my dealers are cheating the system, especially to lowlife scum like a biker, then I
have something to say about that.”

  Viper steps forward, but one of the men aims his gun, pressing it right into Viper’s stomach.

  “Stop! Stop it! Jesus Christ, Bates, you know me. You know I’m not an underhand dealer. I’ve worked for you for a long time. I only met Viper tonight. He had a lucky spell.”

  Viper’s glare on the man with the gun doesn’t ease. In fact, he pushes himself further into the weapon.

  A dare?

  Does he have a death wish?

  “A three-hour lucky spell, which ended in you breaking a cardinal rule.” I drop my eyes to the floor. “What is that rule, Ember?”

  I exhale knowing exactly what he’s talking about. “Don’t touch the players.”

  “Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner. That’s the first sign that you’re dealing a unique hand. You reached over the table and took a look at his dog tags. You… reached over. The. Table.”

  Damn! I sink in on myself. I knew it was wrong at the time, I just didn’t think it would lead to fucking men with guns.

  “So, now we have a problem. We have bikers in our casino taking advantage of our system and the way we do things around here.”

  “I’m not taking advantage of shit! You better watch the way you talk, Bates.” Viper’s mocking tone when he drops the name makes me want to laugh, but I’m far too worked up to manage it.

  “Or what? You have no weapons on you, Viper,” Bates mocks his name in the same way. “I think you and your men better get out of my casino before we turn this discussion into something far more exciting.”

  I open my eyes wide. I don’t want any more excitement for tonight.

  “I’m all for exciting. But a word of warning… a biker always has a weapon on him.” Viper’s hands move quicker than I thought humanly possible. His palm sneaks into the back of his jeans, pulling out a small pistol, at the same time his free hand shoves the rifle away from his stomach. He spins the rifle slightly making the guard’s arm twist out sideways as his pistol slides straight up against the guard’s temple.

  Bates laughs loudly, sending applause around the room. The other guard aims his rifle at Viper, while I tense all over, hoping like hell he doesn’t get shot in front of me, or worse, I get shot because of him. I slide back further into my chair, holding my breath at this intense standoff happening right in front of me. It’s like time is standing still. If I don’t breathe soon, I’m sure I will pass out.

  “You are cunning, Viper, I’ll give you that, but you forgot about the other gun in the room.”

  Viper smirks. “I didn’t forget. See where this rifle is pointed?” Viper jabs, gesturing with his head to the one by his side. The rifle he pushed is pointed directly at the other guard.

  I let out my breath, a slow smile creeps up my face as my muscles begin to relax. His Army training has come in full force. “Now take note of where my hand is,” he adds.

  It’s by the trigger of the rifle.

  I let out a small giggle making Bates sneer at me. “You find this amusing, Ember?”

  I sit taller. “I think Viper is actually skilled and has your guards at a disadvantage, so you better listen to him.”

  Take that, you damn asshole.

  “Thanks, Ember,” Viper praises.

  Bates lets out an aggravated groan. “I knew you two were in cahoots.”

  I stand, finding my strength and walk over to Bates with an exhale. “Honestly, Bates, you’re a prick of a boss. I hate this job, but I need the money, so I wouldn’t purposely jeopardize my place here. I’m telling you the truth when I say that before Viper came to my table, I hadn’t met him. Actually, I hadn’t uttered a single word to him.”

  I’d seen him, though. Boy did I see him, but talk, technically, that’s a no.

  “You’re making an assumption because of the cut I wear, Bates. Because of the club I belong to. Don’t tarnish Ember’s reputation because of who I am,” Viper demands.

  Bates rolls his shoulders. “You made a fool of me here tonight, Viper. You need to make it up to me. I’m honestly not sure if Ember should keep her position.”

  My eyes widen with a gasp.

  Viper drops his weapon from the guard’s head, taking a step back, his hands shifting up in surrender. “Your beef is with me, with this cut. Don’t punish Ember.”

  My heart races a million miles a minute, my stomach swirling as I glance from Viper to Bates and back again.

  Bates grins maniacally. “Okay, tell me… What do you trade in? You have to do some underground shit, and I want in.”

  I jerk back in shock. I knew Bates was a creep, but running in illegal shit that I had no idea about.

  Viper rubs his chin, his eyes shift from me then back to Bates. “You tell me what you want, then I’ll tell you if I can accommodate.”

  “You are a fucking smart sonofabitch…” Bates lets out a belly laugh. “Guns, asshole, I want guns! I’m aware Chicago Defiance runs them. You deliver me a shipment… I call us all even.”

  I stand back. I don’t know how I feel about this. I mean, I knew Viper was a biker, obviously he deals in bad shit, but guns? Guns kill. Guns are used for mass shootings. I don’t like this shit at all.

  “What’ll they be used for?” Viper asks.

  “I have a hunting party. We go to Mount Charleston once a month. I want new guns to replace the old shit we have, and I don’t want to pay for them.”

  I open my eyes wide. Is he for real?

  “You’re a weird fucker. And if I’m reading this right, all of this… this charade, it was just to get these guns. Wasn’t it?” Viper asks.

  I gasp, anger flaring inside of me so hot, my fists clench together.

  No, he can’t be right.

  But Bates lets out a guttural cackle. “Oh, Jesus, you are fucking smarter than you look.”

  Rage explodes inside of me, it burns so hot I can’t contain it. I race forward thrusting my hands out trying to get to Bates. I let all my pent-up emotions take over, letting out a scream as I lunge for him. My hands punch at his face, connecting with his jaw as Viper rushes in behind me, his arms wrapping around my waist pulling me back and away from him. My legs kick up in the air. “You bastard! You fucking dickface!”

  “Whoa! Whoa there, spitfire. Calm your girl down, Viper. I know I used you as a pawn—”

  “As a pawn? As a pawn! You fucking…” I lunge at Bates again, but Viper holds me back. “This is my reputation on the line here, you giant bag of assholes!”

  Bates grins maniacally as Viper wraps his arms around me tightly keeping me in place.

  “Okay, okay… I might have done the wrong thing bringing you into this, Ember, but you and Viper were getting along so well. I thought I could use you as a way into Defiance.”

  “Fuck you!”

  “Do you want this job or not?” he grumbles.

  I huff. “I’m seriously starting to question the answer to that.”

  The asshole waves his hand through the air. “Of course, you do. I’ll see you back here tomorrow night for your shift. Viper, I’ll expect the guns by say…” he scratches his head, “… the third week of the month?”

  Viper grunts, but I feel him nodding behind me. It’s only now that I have a second to calm down, I realize I’m in Viper’s arms. He’s surrounding me, wrapping himself around me like a shield. I’m warm and comforted in his embrace. Fuck if I don’t love the feeling of being right where I am. I lean back into him, just needing him a little more, getting lost in the moment.

  “Right, I’m done with you two. You can leave now.” Bates waves his hand through the air effectively dismissing us. “Viper, I’ll be in touch. Ember, have the rest of the night off. You deserve it.” He turns, stepping out of the room, his armored guards walking with him, leaving me alone with Viper holding me.

  A calm silence envelops the room. Standing, I try to gather my thoughts, though it’s hard with Viper wrapped around me.

  “You okay for me to let you go now, Ember?”

&nb
sp; Never.

  “Yes,” I whisper.

  His arms slowly drop from around my body, and I turn to face him. The tension in the air rises when my eyes meet his. Viper’s shine so brightly I want to get lost in them forever.

  “Would you have shot those guards?”

  His hand reaches out taking mine, a tingle shoots all the way up my arm into my chest again, and I inhale sharply.

  Viper licks his bottom lip. “Yes, if they made a move to hurt you, I would have taken them both out. And Bates.”

  I thought hearing that would upset me. Like knowing he would kill for me would be a complete turnoff, but seeing him in all his combat glory has only amplified my attraction to him. I step closer, now right in front of him. My free hand runs up his arm to his neck then rests on his cheek. He nuzzles against the palm of my hand as the atmosphere around us electro-charges and intensifies while we stare into each other’s eyes.

  There’s something about him—he’s dangerous, yet he’s my safety at the same time. I don’t know him, but I feel like I understand everything about him. Viper’s hand comes to rest on my waist. His blue eyes seem even brighter somehow in this dim light. His other hand moves up to the back of my head, his fingers lacing around my ponytail.

  I bite my bottom lip as my breaths come in short and sharp bursts. I look at his mouth, he licks his bottom lip, and I can’t hold back anymore. My heart’s pounding so damn hard if I don’t act on this, I might explode. I inch forward the same time he does. The atmosphere is popping and sizzling with the chemistry bursting through the air. Our lips connect, a spark, a jolt of electricity surges through my entire being. All the oxygen leaves my lungs as my mouth opens, letting his tongue dance with mine.

  Viper’s beard tickles my cheeks as I kiss him. His hand on my ponytail tightens slightly, pulling my hair causing me to moan into his mouth. His grip on my hip pulls me to him, our bodies flush together.