CHAPTER 25

The big warrior stepped around Jack and extended his hand with a friendly smile that changed his whole face from forbidding to surprisingly approachable.

Haltingly, she held her hand out to him, and they shook. “Morgan O’Malley.”

“Jack, you asshole. Hoarding the pretty girls again. I really ought to beat your ass for that.”

He snorted. “Yeah, you try.”

Deke grinned. “Later. Outside. You, me, and the gators.” He turned to Morgan with a conspiratorial whisper. “Ask me, and I’ll tell you who to place your money on. Better yet, maybe I can convince you to grant the winner a kiss. Then I promise it won’t be any contest.”

His gentle teasing set her at ease immediately. Despite the awkward situation, she felt herself relax and smile back.

“I’m not the human equivalent of a poker chip,” Morgan teased with a roll of her eyes.

“Good girl,” Jack praised. “And if my business partner doesn’t stop messing where he hasn’t been invited, he’s going to find his face one bloody blob—uglier than it alrea