Running Wilde (The Brothers of Wilde, Nevada 3)

He huffed and then shuffled the cards.

Selby leaned over. “By the way, you might want to steer clear of Kyle. He’s a major player.”

“Why would you say that, Selby?” he asked.

“Because it’s true. You broke my sister’s heart, mister. And I know another half dozen women in town who you’ve done the same thing to.”

Kyle’s cell phone rang, and he looked at its screen. “Excuse me. Jessie. It was wonderful seeing you again.”

She turned her head and smiled so Dallas would see. “Same here.”

Kyle walked away. “Hello, this is...”

As he walked to the door, she saw Dallas stop him. The two exchanged some words but weren’t loud enough for her to hear. Still, it was clear they weren’t sharing pleasantries. Dallas shoved Kyle, who came back at him and pushed him. An elderly man was next to them in a flash, pointing to the door. They both nodded and left the casino.

“Pete took care of your two boyfriends,” Selby said.

Jessie looked back to the two women, who were ignoring the blackjack dealer. Instead, their gazes were locked on the door that Dallas and Kyle had walked through.

“Who do you think will win in that matchup, Sam?”

“Dallas. He’s got more brawn than Kyle will ever have.”

“They’re not my boyfriends.” Jessie turned her attention to the dealer.

“Ladies, are you playing or not?”

“I am,” Samantha answered. She put a five-dollar chip in front of her.

Selby put her bet on the table and chimed in. “Me, too.”

Samantha turned to Jessie. “How about you?”

Jessie took one of her chips and put it on the felt. “I’m in.”

The dealer nodded and dealt the cards. After several rounds of play, Jessie was down about twenty bucks. She looked at Samantha’s pile of chips. They’d grown quite a bit. Selby’s was about the same.

“I’m done.” Samantha cashed in her chips. “How about you girls? I could use a drink.”

Selby nodded and pushed her chips toward the dealer, who exchanged them for cash.

Jessie considered joining them, but thought it might be best to return to her room. When she looked over her shoulder and saw Dallas walk back into the casino, she changed her mind. A little female companionship was exactly what she needed right now.

“I’d love to.” Jessie pushed her chips forward, and the dealer gave her twenty-two dollars back.

The three of them went to the bar. Samantha flirted with the bartender, and he didn’t hesitate to serve her. Three tequila shots later, Jessie was feeling warm and a bit better.

“Jessie, it’s nice to get to know you outside of work.” Selby downed her fourth shot. “You’re not half bad.”

“You either. Off the record, how is it working for Austin Wilde?”

“Awful. Amazing. Crazy. Wonderful.”

Samantha frowned. “If you ask me, he’s a total jerk.”

Jessie took her fourth shot of tequila. “I agree with Sam, here. He’s an asshole.”

“You two just don’t know him like I do.”