Page 72 of Bite Me
“You’re a hard man to find,” I test the potion.
Darien doesn’t flinch as he drops three chips on the table.
“That’s by design.”
“Better fold, boys.” Luther chuckles as he draws another card and raises.
I raise, too.
“I need to know where you heard the information about the contract one of the Osbornes shouldn’t sign. Who did you hear it from?”
Darien raises, too, taking another sip of his glass.
“I had a feeling you’d be back for that information.”
“I have to know.”
“Dacre, can I ask you something?” Luther reaches over to pour more whiskey into my glass, spilling a little on my hand.
I nod.
“Say there was someone in the club I was interested in. Do you think that would be a conflict of interest?”
“Have you finally decided to make a move on Verity?” I attempt a joke, but jokes never sound right coming from my lips. Maybe my sister is right. I’m too serious.
“No. Not Verity. She’s new, seems . . . fun.” Our eyes meet, and I hide my clenched fist under the table.
Is he really interested in Emma? Or is he just fucking with me?
“It’s closer to home than you think,” Darien’s voice rings in my head.
My spine straightens, and my chest tightens.
“My grandfather? . . . He wouldn’t leave a paper trail that obvious.”
“You’re sure? Lots on the line.”
“So what do you think, Dacre? Say there was a girl . . . Blonde. Peppy. Fun. Would it be a conflict of interest?”
He raises again, and I do too.
“Look up ‘Matthew Bromen.’ I think that will give you the answers you need,” Darien says.
“Who the hell is that?”
“You didn’t hear about him from me.”
“That would be a conflict of interest.” I rake my hands through my hair.
And that’s exactly what I’m doing by getting involved with Emma. I should leave the cards where they are and let them fall, but I can’t. I won’t. I don’t know how.
Luther drops his empty glass on the table with a thud.
“Ah, that’s too bad. Guess we’ll both have to keep things professional,” he says.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Careful of Luther. He knows more than you think.”
