“There’s no other woman?” She watched for my reaction as she hailed Midnight.
“Hey, Justine.” Midnight cut her gaze at me. I sensed her annoyance. She probably thought I would hook up with Justine after turning down her offer. “What’ll you have?”
“Hi. I’ll have a hard cider, please.” She turned her attention back to me. The thing about Justine I liked, aside from her curvy body, was her dyed red hair and cluelessness. I’d found both appealing because they were nothing like Karma. “So? Who is she?”
“Jesus Christ, woman. You know better. Don’t question me like you own me like I’m your man.”
“But you are my man.” She pouted, lightly touching my hand.
“No, I’m not.” I didn’t need this right now. Justine was never a woman I’d want more with or to claim. That position had always been Karma’s. After she left, I’d vowed to never catch feelings for anyone else, and I hadn’t.
“I may not be your woman, but youaremy man. Everyone knows it. Why are you so mean to me? Did I do something wrong? I thought you liked me.” A tear rolled down her cheek. “I didn’t even pester you like you warned me. I’ve done everything you’ve asked.”
How in the fuck did women produce emotions so quickly? I needed Justine to understand our time together was over, but I fuckin’ didn’t want her to make a scene.
“One hard cider.” Midnight’s eyes went wide. “What happened? Are you okay?”
And here it comes.
Midnight was adding fuel to the flames because I had rejected her. Dammit, she pissed me off. I couldn’t let this situation get out of hand.
“Cobra has another girl,” Justine muttered.
“Oh really?” Midnight pushed her hip out, giving me an attitude. “And who might this new woman be?”
I got to my feet. “There’s no one.” I reeled Justine into my arms to escort her out of the casino and give her the boot. I didn’t need dozens of people watching, more importantly, my brothers. “Let’s go.”
“Okay.” She sniffled, turning her face toward my chest.
We were almost out of the bar when Hustler entered.
“Well, what do we have here?” He looked at Justine. “Justine, right?”
What was he doing? He knew who she was. Hell, he’d been with her too.
“How are you, Hustler?” Justine collected herself, holding onto me like a possessive woman.
“I’m fucking fantastic. What about you, brother? How are you?”
“Doing all right.” I released Justine to give him a hug.
“I bet you are with this redhead on your arm.” Out of nowhere, his fist came screaming toward my face. The impact knocked me back several feet.
Justine screamed.
People shouted, “fight!”
“What the fuck was that for?” I yelled, pressing my hand against my eye.
“You’re a motherfucking asshole, that’s why.” He roared as he swung at me.
“What the hell are you talking about?” I ducked, wrapping my arms around his waist. Hustler lost his balance, and we hit the floor.
“Why’d you do it?” He punched me in the ribs. “You couldn’t break up first? You had to cheat on her?”
Fuck, he was talking about Karma.
“Don’t forget who your president is.” I smashed my fist into his jaw, not caring if he did all this for my girl. “Show me respect motherfucker!” He was out of line. I wouldn’t stand for it.