Pawns In The Bishop's Game
Page 38
“Alright.” Clutching to my hand until her knuckles turn white, she acts like she’s nervous, like she’s the one that’s just been put on the chopping block. “Get ready for the lightning round. There are loads of them.”
I stand in the huge living space of a house made for hosting and face what may be a hundred people. The women look on with playful smiles. The men watch me like I might steal their silverware.
“Kane Bishop.” Jess gestures toward the group. “Meet everyone. You know Oz already. This is his house.” I nod. He nods. “That’s his teen asshole, Benny.”
“Hey!”
“His wife, Lindsi. She’s the one that shot her last husband. Watch out for her. She’s fast.”
I nod.
She snickers and leans into her alive-husband.
“That’s Marc and Meg and their new baby. Marc’s the sort-of-brother that beat mine up for banging his sister.”
I nod.
He narrows his eyes.
If he’s her sort-of-brother, then I guess I’m banging his sort-of-sister.
“Scotch and Sammy, and baby Squeak. Scotch is X’s brother.”
“Okay.”
“Luc. The blonde. He’s my real brother. He’s banging Kari.”
“Which is Marc’s sister.” I try to hide my grin when Marc yanks the girl from Luc’s arms. He stands with a woman under each arm like a total boss and glares at me like I’m the one fucking all the sisters.
“Right. Marc’s sister. My brother. Then you got Britt.” She gestures to a dark-haired woman with a fat toddler on her hip and a huge fighter to her left.
“The one who kicks you when you’re down?”
“Yeah, her. She married the giant in the back. The fighter.”
I eye the fighter. I take note of the plethora of ink lining his arms. Even some up the side of his neck. Then I flip my gaze to the equally huge dude next to him with the same amount of ink.
I think I’ll fit right in with the fighters.
“The Rollers are in the back; you got Bobby and Kit. Jon and Tink. Aiden and Tina. Jimmy and Iz. They’ve all got a dozen kids each. They’re all here somewhere. Hey Benny, where’s Smalls?”
The blue-eyed teen who looks like a grown ass man glares at my girl. “I don’t freakin’ know. I don’t care where she is.”
Jess looks up at me with a playful grin. “He cares. Maybe she’s with Mac. That would be awkward – Benny’s girl is with Benny’s bestie.”
“Shut the hell up, Thing 1. She is not!”
I turn my head to the side, crack my neck, and bask when the teen shuts his trap. He swallows and looks me up and down. Sometimes it’s useful to look like a thug. Benny stops disrespecting my Jess in a hot second and steps back.
I nod.
He nods.
We have an agreement.
She points at the police chief. “You know X.”
Alex steps forward. The first to break formation, he extends a hand and watches me with an intense glare. “You saved my life.”
I take his hand and shrug. “There was a gun near my girl. I did what I had to do.”
“And in the process, you saved my life. I appreciate that.”
I nod.
He steps back and brings the blonde boss lawyer under his arm.
Angelo, the guy that ran into a fiery club with me, steps forward and offers a hand. “I’m glad you didn’t die.”
I chuckle. “Me too. You did good work. Got the other twin out. Didn’t lose your shit. Protected them when I couldn’t.”
He shrugs.
Frowning, Jess steps onto her tippy toes and looks around the room. “Where’s Laine?”
“Here.” Stepping out of the crowd, a girl that looks identical to mine refuses to meet my eyes. She doesn’t offer a hand. She simply stops six feet away from anyone and refuses to allow anyone to touch her.
Angelo watches her with a mixture of tenderness and rage. He steps closer, but like opposing magnets, she takes a step away.
He stops and turns his face away, but I catch the inferno in his eyes. The fucking rage. The war he wants to wage. And I realize this guy with long hair tied in a knot at the back of his head is in love with my girl’s clone.
Does that annoy me?
I’m not sure.
I’m not in love with Laine just because I love Jess. So I guess it’s okay.
I’ll keep an eye on him. Make sure there’s no crossover.
“Anyway.” Jess looks up at me with sad eyes. “My sister. You should meet her officially. Don’t kiss her anymore.”
Angelo groans and shows his hand too soon. “I forgot you kissed her. Fuck.”
I press my lips closed and fight my grin when Laine’s curious eyes come up.
When he realizes his mistake, Angelo shakes his shoulders back and cools his shit. “I’m gonna get a beer.” He throws his hands in the air. “I need a fuckin’ beer.”
Have you read The Rollin On Series yet?
Go back and meet the fighters that started it all – http://a.co/d/5B8HTYF
Acknowledgments
Kane Bishop was something of a new experience for me. This guy… this shadow… was throwing strikes in the back of my mind for months before I was able to give him my attention. I literally saw the alleyway. I saw his shadow sparring, his bob and weave, his ink. He was all alone in that alleyway… until he wasn’t. Jess ran through in the silver coat, stole his heart, and THAT was when I could start his story.
I’m so glad I didn’t brush him aside. I’m so glad he chose me to write his story.
I’m so immeasurably happy Kane and Jessie are mine – they were a pleasure to write.
Who’s next? Angelo and Laine!
If you’re brand-new to me; go back and start with the Rollers. You’ll love them! Bobby and his brothers were my first inspiration, and without them, we wouldn’t have Kane.
If you’re not new; Holy Shit, Ang! He’s coming for you guys – join the Crew to get updates: https://www.facebook.com/groups/therollincrew/
As always, I need to say thank you to those nearest and dearest to me.
Kelly, Tink, and Karen – I love you guys so much. Truly I do. I love our squad. I love my friends. I’m so proud to know you. Thank you for always having my back.
Vicki aka Dolly – it’s impossible that I should feel your love, especially from so far away. But I do. Thank you for being you.
Brandi – My dear, dear friend. Thank you for tolerating my horrible drafts before you come in and whip them into something so much prettier. Thank you for editing my guys. I cherish your input, but more than that, I cherish our friendship.
Debbie, Jenelle, and Siddhi – My sweet beta readers. Thank you for always catching my guys when I toss them your way, and when you come back with how much you love them, you make my job the best in the world. I appreciate your time and feedback.
Amy Q – You cover my books and do such a fantastic job of it. I love your work.
Lindsi – My proofreader. The final set of eyes before my books reach the public. Your input in invaluable. I appreciate your hard work.
To my readers: I love you guys. I love your support. I love that you love my guys. Please keep being exactly who you are. I feel your support every single day.
To my husband, my biggest supporter; thank you for always believing in me. You put your money where your mouth is, and that blind faith meant more than any words could have. I love you.
And to my babies: Stop jumping on the fucking couch!
Also, I love you so, so, soooooo much.
Catch you guys in Ang and Laine’s book.
Emilia x
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lia Finn, Pawns In The Bishop's Game