Sweet Pain (Amatucci Family #3) - Sadie Jacks Page 0,77

awesome night.

“But first up, cupcakes,” I said after everyone took a drink.

“Fucking finally!” Tali growled.

Chapter 23 – Ryker

“Bet’s to you, Penn,” Rafe said around the end of his cigar. “Or are you going to pussy out again because you can’t leave your phone alone?”

I laid the device screen down on the table. Fought to clear my mind. Damn, I really had underestimated Willow’s ability to seduce and tease. The picture she’d just sent me…I was going to make her recreate that photo. Naked except for an apron that barely covered the goods. And a splotch of frosting on her ass cheek. Only this time it would be my hand on her ass instead of a spatula slapping whipped sugar against that delicious flesh.

Special edition cupcakes.

I cleared my throat. “What’s it at?”

All five men growled. “Two hundred,” Foster said. “If I’d known we were going to be playing such low stakes, I would have stayed at home.”

I snorted as I tossed in my chips. “Oh please. You’re like the nerdy kid no one invites to the party. You jumped at the chance to be here.”

Foster glared at me, his dark eyebrows so at odds with his bright white hair. The man was vain enough to dye them, but I was pretty sure he didn’t. His lashes were just as dark. He tossed his chips into the pot without saying anything else.

“What’s got you glued to your phone anyways?” Turo asked as he laid his cards down. “I’m out.”

“A little wager with Willow.” I smirked. No way was I telling them what it was. I might be back on the inside with these guys, but they were still her adopted brothers.

Rafe and Mas snorted. “Good luck with that. Our Will plays dirty.”

Didn’t I fucking know it. I fought not to pick up my phone and scrutinize every pixel of the picture she’d just sent me. But fuck did I want to paddle her ass right now for it.

I was still trying to formulate my reply. My last one had fallen ridiculously flat when I answered her call. Either I relied on my charisma way too much or Willow and her flirting game were on point…and I wasn’t even in the same bracket as she was. Hell, I wasn’t even in the same neighborhood as her bracket.

Nico’s phone buzzed. He picked it up, glanced at the screen. His pupils blew wide as his eyes narrowed. “What the fuck?” he said under his breath.

“Everything good?” Turo asked.

Nico jolted, nodded. “Y-yeah,” he cleared his throat. “Yeah, all good.”

Rafe, our current dealer, flipped the next card and laid the next one face up.

I looked at my cards. Winced. Damn. I should have folded. Fuck. I called when Mas raised the bet. Might as well ride it out. It wasn’t like I couldn’t afford it.

Foster called and the betting went around the rest of the table. Nico fidgeted in his chair before he seemed to settle himself and focus back on the game. He threw some chips on the pile.

Rafe trashed another card before flipping the last one. “That’s the river. Final round of betting.”

Turo smirked as he sat back and watched us all try to outsmart the others.

Mas raised an unholy amount. I studied the wraith. Tried to see beneath his calm exterior. The man literally dealt death for a living and I was trying to see if he flinched.

He met my gaze with the steady one I’d grown to recognize since meeting him. He raised one eyebrow in challenge.

I shook my head. Threw in the amount of chips to match his. If nothing else, I’d learn how to have a better poker face with this crew.

“Dammit,” Foster muttered as he threw in his chips. He squirmed in his chair like he had ants in his pants. “I’m already this far in, might as well deep dive in the well.”

Nico snorted, threw in his chips. “At least pretend to be sneaky, Foster. For a spy, you’re kinda of obvious.”

Foster glared at him. “I haven’t played poker since boarding school. Give me a fucking break.”

“Everyone called, time to flip your cards, gentlemen,” Rafe announced as he exhaled smoke around his words.

Mas flipped his cards, a small smile on his face. “Straight.”

I smirked. “Flush. Sorry. Better luck next time.” The last card flip had saved me. It was a mismash of hearts, but it was still five hearts.

We all turned to Foster.

He winced. “Can Nico go first?”

Nico sighed. “Two pair.”

I chuckled. “Action’s to you, Foster. But you might