Reggie glances over at the twenty or so bikers positioning themselves around us. “And you should really think about downsizing. How will you ever take anyone by surprise with a whole load of buffoons behind you?”
“I don’t go in for surprise. I’m more of an upfront kinda guy. When I come for you, I want you to see me.”
“Tragic news about your bar,” he says and smiles. “Hope no one was injured.”
“I don’t think you’ve thought things through, Reg.”
He laughs. “Says the person who walked into my casino.”
“This is me showing you I’m not fucking scared and I’m not bringing her back to you. I’m keeping her and Malia.” I smirk.
Reggie’s fists tighten and his jaw ticks. “Then be prepared for me to rip your town apart, brick by brick, person by person, until Anna is back by my side.”
“Why do you want her so bad, Reggie? I hear you have a pretty blond hanging off your arm these days. What’s the big deal?”
He leans forwards and a smile plays on his lips. “Now, if you’d have fucked my wife, you’d know exactly why I want her back. All the blonds in the world cannot take her place.”
“You’d still want her back knowing I’ve been there?” I ask with a laugh.
“It doesn’t matter to me. I miss the way her pussy grips my cock and the noises she makes when she comes. I could beat her with one hand and fuck her with the other and she’d still come. I miss biting the tattoo of my name right next to her . . . ” He grins. “Well, I’m sure you’ve seen it.”
I keep my poker face in check. “It’s been a nice chat, Reg. Now we’re clear where we stand, the war can begin.”
As I walk away, he shouts out, “The war has already begun, Riggs.”
I drag my arm across the bar as I leave, knocking the freshly washed glasses to the ground. The crashing sound fills me with pleasure.
I stay sitting on my bike when we arrive back at the club. It’s getting dark and I like the peace and quiet that the early evening brings. I light up a cigarette and stare up at the sky. “I know I wasn’t keen in the beginning,” says Cree, standing by my bike. “But you’re going to all this trouble, it makes me wonder what your intentions are with Anna.”
I rub a hand over my beard. “Shit, man, I’ve fucked up.”
“Why?”
“I tried it on with Bonnie the other night. Luckily, I was so drunk that I passed out, but that wasn’t before I practically begged her to fuck me.” Cree laughs hard and I groan. “It ain’t funny, brother.”
“So that’s why she’s desperate to talk?”
“Yeah. I reckon I said some crazy shit about trying to make things work and taking things to the next level. I’m usually so controlled and I blew it in one fucking night.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself, man. You didn’t fuck her and you’re not with Anna, so technically you didn’t do anything wrong.”
I nod. “I know, but I told Anna to trust me. I told her there was nothing like that between me and Bonnie.”
“I find it hilarious that you’ve spent years single and now three women are at the click of your fingers,” he says.
“I hope you’re not including me in those three women,” comes Anna’s voice. Cree smirks, and I punch his shoulder and mutter what a dick he is.
Bonnie appears behind Anna and I groan. Like this couldn’t get much worse. “I’m waiting for you,” snaps Bonnie. “Do you wanna talk out here or in bed?”
“Get it over and done with,” whispers Cree.
I get off my bike and flick the cigarette butt to the ground, crushing it under my boot. As I pass Anna, we stare at each other but don’t speak. I decide I’ll put this right with Bonnie and then pursue Anna. I need her and I know deep down she feels the same.
Bonnie sits on the bed. “Look,” I begin, “I was really drunk the other night.”
“Oh shit. You’re gonna go back on everything you said,” she hisses. “You bastard.”
“My life is fucking complicated, Bonnie. I don’t have time for relationships. It wouldn’t be fair to you.”
“Jesus, if you’re gonna back out, at least be fucking honest,” she spits. “You’ve been eye-fucking Anna since the day she strolled into The Windsor. It’s clear you’re hot for her.”
“She doesn’t feel the same way, so that’s not the issue.”
“Well, don’t think I’m spending another night in your bed. All those weeks of lying there with you when I could have been working my magic on one of the other guys.” She stands and heads for the door. “You’re an ass.”
I look at the large empty bed. I won’t get much sleep tonight. I’m too amped up after my visit to Reggie, and now that Bonnie’s gone, I’ll never be able to relax enough. I head down to the office, deciding to work through the night.
My vision is blurred, but it’s almost sunrise. I pour another cup of coffee as the kitchen door opens and Anna creeps in. When she spots me, she shrieks in fright and then grips her chest. “Fuck,” she pants.
“What are you doing up at . . . ” I check my watch. “Four-thirty.”
“I couldn’t sleep,” she whispers.
“You don’t have to whisper. This place sleeps better than the dead. We sometimes throw parties until six in the morning and the kids manage to sleep through them.” I pull out the milk pan and pour in some milk. “Sit,” I say, nodding to a chair.
“Why are you up so early?”
“Up early or awake late.” I shrug. “I can’t sleep.”
“Because of Bonnie?” she asks quietly. I turn to look at her for an explanation. “I overheard her
