Billionaire Cowboy: Siblings (Book 2 in the Richland Series)

Chapter 9: Michael

Michael’s pov

Two hours later, Ri pushed six large stacks of poker chips to the only person left with her at the table, and proudly proclaimed, “Cash me out. Oh, and take a tip for yourself.” The dealer tilted his head with a sly grin, causing goosebumps on my arms. Another shady character.

Waiting patiently, I noticed the dealer's cut identified him as Shorty, but he probably weighed close to 300 pounds and sat taller than everyone else. Another illusion in this place. In the final poker hands, when tempers flared, he kept control of the table with his harsh words but managed to talk softly when conversing with Ri. Something was off with him.

Shorty gave a throaty laugh, “I don’t know how ya did it. I kept my eye on you, but you gutted them boys better than a seasoned fisherman. Usually, t**s and arse make a difference at this table, but not you." He leaned in like he was revealing a secret, "I need you on my team.”

As he stood, Shorty described the annual multi-MC challenge that pulled in thousands of dollars and major bragging rights for the winning chapter. Apparently, there’s never been a female in the final round and he sees gold with my girl.

Pleading Ri to join his team, he hinted, “Anyone who can hustle my boys in one night will put our chapter on the map.” Leaving the table, the big guy had a little swag in his step, announcing the betting line on his “championship” team.

Grabbing her large stack of bills with both hands, Ri tilted her head with a raised brow, whispering, "If his boys were so easily hustled tonight, why does he think they'll have a chance against a room full of serious card players?" Ri is far from a card shark but I refused to voice my opinion.

Winning at this table was sketchy at times, but I can't imagine how things would pan out playing against more questionable people. Thank goodness she'll be busy when the rodeo season starts. The last thing she needs is to get pulled into another club situation.

With a slight lean to her stance, Ri who was a bit tipsy, focused solely on her winnings. Something about her innocence draws me near. No wonder her brother fought so hard to keep guys away. I can't keep my eyes off her.

There was something about the way she concentrated on the simplest of tasks. Unsuccessful at rolling the large stack of bills, she created two smaller piles then tucked half on either side of her bra, lifting and situating her plump breasts. The best part, she hadn’t realized the room full of pervs were watching, me included.

Needing a moment to control my half chub, I gave her a kiss, leaning in, whispering, "Try not to put on another show.” Winking, then looking down at my crotch, she mumbled, "You too." She knew what she was doing.

Strolling to a side door and catching perverted eyes lusting in her direction, it's amazing how she can turn heads when there are half-naked bunnies flaunting their assets.

A quick stretch of my legs and everything was better down south. Returning to the bar for a beer, I noticed Ri's gorgeous smile from across the room. Why have I never noticed her natural beauty before? She stands out, especially in a room promoting Botox injections and silicon body parts.

Lost in my lust, I sauntered Ri's way, but before I could reach her, the spiderweb creep grabbed her waist whispering something.

Why the f*ck is he touching her?

Turning, she leaned away and quickly removed his hand. Licking his lips, with a devilish half smile, he stood with his head held high.

What just happened?

Weaving around a couple of people trying to reach Ri, a broad-chested guy, I noticed from earlier in my prison yard round-up, suggested the creep, and obvious outsider, should leave the clubhouse. Slowly taking a sip of his beer, the outsider challenged the comment.

Within seconds, random guys stood shoulder to shoulder and slowly swarmed their prey. I went from standing a couple feet from Ri to having a wall of muscles blocking part of my view.

The music paused as cold hard stares bore into the outsider. This could be a good beatdown.

Spitting on the ground, another show of disrespect, the outsider began taking his time sauntering outside. The tense silence made me anxious but not worried about my safety. Something was about to go down, but this time I was a bystander instead of the target.

Breaking the silence, a deep voice boomed, “How long we putting up with his arse?” Grunts echoed the opinion, followed by a familiar female voice commenting, “I wonder if he wants to leave his chapter, or they want him to gone?” Turning, I smirked as others agreed with the latter.

A tall muscular guy, wearing an Enforcer patch on his cut, remained on guard at the door until the outsider rode his bike off the property. Turning, the Enforcer surveyed the room until his eyes caught Ri's. His deep voice became somewhat gentler, “You good?” Remaining calm, she smiled, “Yes, thank you Axe.”

In less than a minute, the entire room was ready to protect her.

And just like that, the music was turned up, and things returned to normal, or as normal as they get, in this place.

Meeting Ri’s eyes, she smiled holding a couple of beers, then nodded in the direction of the pool table. Responding with a wink, I watched as she handed out beers, a subtle thank you to her protectors.

Sitting on a tall chair with legs spread open, my body pulled her in close. Having her in my arms felt natural and right. Wrapping an arm around my neck, she leaned in, planting a passionate kiss on my waiting lips. Yeah, this will never get old.

Some time had passed before Wrench had walked up, handing us a cold beer and nodding like he had something to say. Keeping his attention on the pool table, he explained quietly that the guy known as Spider requested a transfer from another chapter. Transfers are rare, but the other chapter's president is close to Hawk, so he allowed it. Letting Wrench's words soak in, I sipped my beer, understanding a little more of the intricate world known as the MC life.

Wrench had a plethora of knowledge he was willing to share and I wasn't going to deny him. He burped then continued, "Some, if not most, of the guys aren't too fond of Spider." I agreed one hundred percent. Then he added between sips of his beer, “Without a unanimous vote, transfers between chapters won’t happen. His time with us is limited.”

I tried to hold a blank look before we bumped shoulders, “I’m surprised you didn’t piss on Rianne to show who she belonged to.”

Shaking my head, knowing how possessive I must look, I lied, “It’s not like that,” but deep down, I would have done whatever it took to claim her. He spoke one last time before finishing his beer and walking off, “Hey, we all have reputations with some exaggerated truth. The question is, what are you going to do about your reputation? How much is exaggerated and how much is truth?” For being a prospect, he was quite intuitive.

After watching two guys dominate the pool table, Ri and I were given a chance, but it didn’t last long. How was it our fault we grew up playing pool? If money wasn’t on the table, I’m sure we'd have been playing all night. Why is everything a competition with high stakes with these guys?

Returning to the bar with her small hand in mine, Ri sat on my lap as shots were passed around like wine at church. To my surprise, Hawk took a seat next to us and asked Ri, “Where do you see this club going?”

Why would he care about her opinion? Does he really want the truth? She can be blunt, especially when she drinks.

Ri took her tequila shot, skipping the lime, then rubbed her hands with a joker smile edged on her face. She’ll take this as a challenge and the girl is competitive.

“Bunnies,” Ri called out, waving half-dressed females towards the bar. After a couple walked up with curiosity, Ri addressed her audience, “Looking around the room, what do you see?” Descriptions about the decor and furniture were blurted out.

Ri shook her head then asked, “What about the guys? What do you see?” s****l words rattled the air as guys claimed the lude comments and sauntered our way. Where is Ri going with this?

Pointing to a bottle of Jack, Ri smiled, “Line ‘em up.” A prospect poured quickly as amber-colored shots were handed out.

Admiring her shot, she spoke to herself but loud enough for others to hear. It was clear the alcohol was taking an affect on her. “MC mum-bers have guts, but mini only dream uh-boat it. Like," she paused, searching for words, "Oh, how guys want ta be fire fighter-man and we girls want ta bang fire fighter-man.” High pitched howls vibrated from the bunnies.

Ri continued with a stumble to her speech as the alcohol must have been kicking in stronger, “Yuh com-odd-dery is simi-er to dem in da mew-rah-tear-y, but MC fam-ies are spe-shell.” Hollers and whistles throughout the room supported her speech, or at least everyone took her jargon as compliments.

By this time, the entire room was eating out of her hand. Challenge accepted by the drunk girl.

Nodding in Tank’s direction, Ri rattled on slowly with better punctuated sounds that didn't quite make sense, “From hawd-as-nayeels min,” she smirked, then winked at a couple of Old Ladies, “To gew kweepin cub to-git-her.” She pointed her shot glass at a couple of bunnies, “To day ta day ta day op-rew-uh-shuns.” She lifted her glass high above her head, “Ya make a livin so sh-air in git mewr?”

Hollers, screams and loud stomps vibrated the walls. What is she talking about? Does she even know?

Leaning in towards Hawk she whispered, but between the loud hollers, it was difficult to decipher. I can only hope she doesn't offend him. At one point, she turned her head as a burp rippled off her lips. Yeah, that’s my classy girl. Then she returned talking like nothing had happened.

Hawk closed his eyes and dropped his head with a big smile. Patting her on the shoulder, he whispered something, but the room was too loud for me to hear it. I watched him carefully. Taking a deep inhale of his cigar and slowly milling around his thoughts, he boasted with a cheesy grin towards Ri, “You got some balls little one.”

Nodding to Tank and exchanging a silent bro-code, the two walked away, so I took the opportunity to guide my girl to the room Misty reserved for us.

Hopefully it doesn’t scare Ri that we’re sharing a room.

To my surprise, the room was bigger than expected. Checking out the small bathroom, I tested the sink faucet and flushed the toilet, giving Ri time to accept our sleeping arrangements. Leaning against the doorframe, I suggested, “If you’re not comfortable sharing the bed, I’ll sleep on the ground. I know they have a stockpile of sleeping bags.” She remained quiet.

Taking off my boots, I recalled Tank’s words, wanting to keep her calm, “You need to earn her trust.”

How the hell do I do that?

Realizing that I had no idea how to treat a female, I ran through the rom-com movies my mom used to make me watch. The guys always struggled with what to say and tried to avoid doing something that might piss the girl off. Rubbing my temples, a headache was starting to pound. I was starting at a huge disadvantage. My head throbbed knowing this was going to be harder than I had expected.

Let's see, what would Ri hate about my reputation? Nothing positive came to mind. Even the Hens at the bakery hate me and they're old ladies who are supposed to like everyone.

Just then, Misty’s words entered my thoughts, “Actions speak louder than words.” How do guys in movies win the girl? Make every moment count (no quick transactions), let her know I care (call her by her name), show affection in public (don't keep our, whatever this is, a secret)

I need Ri to feel comfortable when we are alone. How do players get girlfriends? Oh, I can let her decide the pace. It’ll take a lot of willpower on my part, but it will show my intentions are not just about s*x. Okay, so I eventually want to bang her, but for now, I need to take my time.

How can I show that she matters to me? In the past, I always escaped after quick transactions. What if I stay the night with her? If cuddling was on her mind, then so be it. It’ll be a first for me, but hopefully a first of many for us.

My mind was going a mile a minute without a solution or idea of how this was going to work in my favor. Looking over my shoulder, I watched as she downed another bottle of water. Spilling a bit, she licked her bottom lip, causing me to adjust my pants.

Damn she's sexy.

I let out a sigh when her soft voice finally replied, “No, the bed is fine. But it doesn’t mean I’m sleeping with you," followed by a soft, "yet.”

A loud knock grabbed our attention as the door slid open. Mental note: in this place, we need to keep the door locked. Wrench motioned to Ri with another bottle of water, “You’re needed.” Yeah, she was pretty sloshed earlier.

Like a light bulb clicking on, she stood up, walked over and gave me a kiss. Wrench rubbed the back of his neck like he was trying not to watch. Guard dog or not, he’s invested in her more than the others. Sorry bud, I won’t let anything get between me and my girl. Huh, I wonder why they need her. Hopefully she didn't piss Hawk off when her drunk arse rambled on earlier.

Wait, did she just say YET?