“Thanks, I appreciate it, saves me having to import them from Thailand.” He glanced through the bag at the selection.
“Exactly, I already have them. I’m going to strap up. The cartel aren’t anyone to be messing around with. They also go after people’s families, not just you.” I frowned.
Coyote put his hands over his head while exhaling from his chest. “That’s why I think we should just pay them. I’m pretty sure Bones isn’t stupid and wouldn’t put us in a bad situation,” he reasoned.
I tapped the side of the pool table. “We have to pay as a club, that’s all there is to it. Otherwise, we’d be in a bloodbath situation.”
“Yep. I have to get on the road. I have a few things to do, so I’ll see you at the meeting.”
“Yeah. See you later,” I sighed.
One step forward and one step back seemed to be the motion for the Rebel Saints.
I had one more shift at Red Stone before I could catch a day off. After that, I would be at the bar. Jaz was already in the Mahogany room when I arrived to swap with my colleague. I was only taking over for his dinner break, then I would be back to the hustle of the ground floor.
Jaz and I didn’t talk, so as not to cause alarm to Mr. Lu. Although, I desperately wanted to speak to her and spend time together. I was missing her.
Tonight, Mr. Lu added a red bowtie to his outfit.
Jaz’s look was interesting; she went casual. High tops, jeans and a t-shirt. She could wear anything and look stunning. She put her chips down and waved at Mr. Lu.
He gave her a death glare in return. Sindim was his dealer of choice again.
That’s when I saw it. Mr. Lu tugged his bow tie to the left. I was pretty sure Jaz saw it too. I didn’t know all the ins and outs of the game so closely, but I knew this had to be a cue.
I watched Sindim keep dealing. Then I saw Jaz move her chips forward. I caught on to what Jaz was doing. She was following Mr. Lu’s every move with a hand which allowed her to win as well.
He adjusted his tie twice again and the dealer touched her nose.
Jaz was right.
Mr. Lu bet big after the nose touch, which must have been something to do with the cards. Again, another nose touch. Mr. Lu placed more chips down. I was seeing it with my own two eyes. They were both teaming together. Mr. Lu knew that Jaz knew now, as she was playing a game with him and effectively winning like he was winning.
After the game, Jaz packed up and went downstairs.
I saw her leave. I left my post and followed her. I pressed my buzzer on my radio quickly. “Damien, can you cover me in the high roller?” I was already on my way to the elevator, too bad if he couldn’t.
“Sure. Be up in two,” he said.
“Thanks.”
Then the doors opened to a sight that made my rage levels escalate. Two Devil Riders’ members were on our turf. I recognized them straight away. It was hard to miss slime when it was right in front of you. Carter and Dee, both patches. I felt the fire in my veins boil.
Carter tapped Dee on the chest and both of them made a beeline to Jaz, who was walking out the door.
She was their target.
Jaz was in trouble and I knew it. I saw the glint of silver in Carter’s hand as she left the casino doors.
I started to run, but he was yards from her. My heart thumped in my chest as Carter grabbed one arm and Dee grabbed the other one.
“Get the fuck off her now!” I screamed, my voice hoarse as I saw red. I charged at Carter. He had the knife. In turning to my voice, he’d dropped his guard for a split second. I pulled the Tazer on my hip, and was ready to stick this hot pronged heat into his system.
Carter took a menacing stance. “Oh, you’re a bitch, you gotta use a weapon,” he said through gritted teeth.
I countered by lunging at him with full force as Jaz screamed at high pitch, her body shaking. I lunged forward and smacked the knife down and out of his hand. The silver knife dropped to the ground and Jaz wrestled with Dee. He grabbed her from behind and she swung her elbow into his gut. He released her, howling from the pain she inflicted.
I tried to reach for her, but Carter recovered and swung a heavy blow to the top of my shoulder, deadening my arm. He took the opportunity while my arm was down to deliver a jab to my cheek. I winced. It didn’t have enough weight behind it, but it stung. I opened my jaw wide to see if it still worked and shook my head.