Seems like it’s back to business.
I knock Loretta off me to stand, intent on getting this out of the damn way before I give in to the idea of not doing it at all. Just fucking. Get my head back in the game and move on. She falls to the side and laughs, Jenna there instantly to help her to her feet before both of them come link their arms through mine. The feel of them sends shivers of repulsion through me, the same ones that have come my entire fucking life. I despise these whores, always have done. Fucking them is as cold and unfeeling as I pretend to be. It’s the main reason I twist them about, use them to fulfil some deep-seated need for control. I just fuck because it gets the angst out, gets the resentment into something.
Quinn kills for his kicks.
I fuck.
Guess we all have our vices.
We’re partway through the crowds heading for the party rooms when a familiar scent travels past my nose. I half stop, turning to look back for whoever’s wearing it, but the giggling at my side and hand sliding down to my dick have me focused on my destination again before I’ve gained any sight of the wearer.
What the hell does it matter anyway? Gabby’s perfume or not, she’s not here, is she? Why would she be? I snort, about ready to take my own damn head off for stupidity and wrap an arm around Loretta’s back to guide her into the room in front. Jenna leans in, still giggling as she lands her lips against my neck, but the scent comes at me again so quickly I push her away and spin for a better look.
“What’s the matter, baby?” she asks, her feet bringing her back in front of me. I move around her and walk back into the crowd, eyes searching the room for whoever is wearing that damn perfume. She catches up and grabs my arm, trying to drag me back a little. It makes me sneer at her and dig into my pocket, throwing a wad of cash in her direction to get her to back the hell off.
“Go to the room,” I grate out, not caring to watch as she gathers up the money. I’m still too busy searching for the smell that has me transfixed. “Ten minutes, Jenna. Get undressed.”
I don’t turn to see where she’s going. I couldn’t care a damn for her or the money she’s taken. This room is full of whores if I want them, but at the moment, and because of this scent, I don’t want anything but whoever is attached to it.
The sea of bodies gives me nothing out of the ordinary. Women and men, all of them gathered around tables gambling their money away to the Cane banks.
Stupid fucks.
I scan again, walking towards the perimeter to get some clarity over the mob. One corner catches my eye, some of Mortoni’s men gathered by the roulette wheel. I search them, then notice Marco’s face turn. I narrow my stare, wondering why he’s here on a Friday night. He shouldn’t be, unless Quinn has set something up that I don’t know about, which is possible.
He laughs suddenly and steps towards the table, moving enough to give me a clear line of sight straight to who he’s laughing with.
What the hell?
Gabby.
Everything in me halts. Feet, eyes, even my damn heart stutters at the sight of her.
I stall in place, neither making the walk to her nor backing away. Jesus.
What is she doing here, especially anywhere near Marco? The thought pisses me off instantly, making all kinds of shit run through my mind. There’s only one reason Marco would have a woman on his arm. Whore or girlfriend.
She’s not a whore, that’s for damn sure.
Whatever stopped me from moving towards them a second ago loosens its grip on me the moment I consider the second option. Ally or not, he is not coming in here parading a woman around who should be on my arm. That shit is not acceptable. If I can’t have her, nor can he. And what the actual fuck, anyway? Has she always been with him, even when we were dreaming?
Bitch. Not that I’m stopping pushing through the damn crowds to get to them. Fuck that. I’ll shove her out of the door before I watch him lay one more finger on her.
A hand lands on my chest out of nowhere, forcefully stopping me from moving any closer to them.
“Move,” I snarl out, batting the hand away. He pushes at me, enough that I step a foot back and to the side to get around whoever the fuck it is. Something catches hold of my arm and spins me back, causing me to reach for my gun without thought.
Quinn.
“I’ll move when you explain that look. Not before.” My hand hovers, eyes snapping between him and back to Gabby again. “’Cause you’re looking pissed, brother. That shit’s not gonna go down well in here.”
“Get out of my way, Quinn.” He steps back a little, eyes boring into mine and then glancing over to where Gabby and Marco are.
“That her?”
I move a step, only to have him yank me back to him, a scowl levelled directly at my face. “I said, is that her. The woman?” I frown at him and shake his hold off. The hell has it got to do with him? “Is. That. Her?” Still I frown, eyes watching Marco’s hand travelling to fucking places it should not go as I pocket my own to control myself. I can feel the energy burning through me, fists ready to launch a damn tirade at the dick. Quinn chuckles. The sound pisses me off nearly as much as watching Marco lean in closer to her.
She suddenly swings her pristine hair to the side and looks directly at me, as if she can sense me watching her. Her eyes pierce mine, recognition flaring, but her expression blanks the moment I notice the confusion mar her face. It’s only a second, and then it’s gone, hidden again under a shroud as she returns her attention to that fucker.
