As if on cue, she sauntered into the room beside Diane.
“Hot damn, is that her?” Drake asked, running his gaze down her body.
Chazz cut in. “That’s her all right. Her name’s Aylee McFadden.”
Clenching my fists, I was about to slam Davies’ face into the table, when Will cleared his throat. “And I suggest you keep your tongues in your mouths before Avery rips them out. She’s taken for the night. Not to mention, my wife’s in here, so show some respect.”
Drake and Chazz both glanced at me with narrowed eyes and sat back in their chairs. Mark was the one who spoke next. “You said for tonight, but you didn’t mention tomorrow.”
“You’re right, I didn’t,” I replied tightly.
Will huffed. “You’re all drooling over this poor girl like rabid dogs. You know the rules, no gambling women unless they agree to it. If Avery wants to keep the girl to himself, that’s his deal. Stop pressing the issue.”
Aylee could sense the tension and glanced at me out of the corner of her eye. I wanted to pick her up over my shoulder and carry her out of the room so no one could think about her. I knew what was on their minds; it wasn’t hard to guess.
“Miss McFadden,” Drake called.
Gritting my teeth, I watched her gracefully walk over, her head held high, confident. Everything about her was intriguing. Instead of walking over to Drake, she walked over to me and sat down on the edge of my chair. “I must admit, sir, you have me at a disadvantage. You know my name but I don’t know yours,” she said.
He stood and extended his hand. “Drake Blackwell.” Aylee took his hand and instead of shaking it, he lifted it to his lips. Arrogant bastard. “I wanted to see if you and Mr. Avery would like to join us at my house this weekend. That’s where the true fun begins.”
“I see, and what kind of fun are you talking?”
He smirked. “Let’s just say you have to be willing to gamble with just about anything. You interested?”
Aylee turned to look at me, her gaze searching mine, but she knew it was what we had to do. Plastering on a fake smile, she focused back on Drake. “Sounds intriguing. I’ll be there.”
“Mr. Avery?” Drake asked, lifting his brows.
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
Will cleared his throat and stood. “All right, time to play. Let’s go, gentlemen . . . and ladies. Be prepared to empty your wallets tonight. I’m feeling lucky.”
I wished I was; I felt the opposite. I was leading Aylee into a den of wolves, and I didn’t like it at all. I had never failed on a mission and I wasn’t going to let this one be my first. I had to protect her, no matter the cost.
“Aylee, you know you don’t have to go to Drake’s,” Diane whispered, concern in her voice.
I snapped back and gave her my attention. “Are you afraid something’s going to happen?”
She sighed. “You seem like a smart, young woman and I know you can do more with your life than what you’re doing. Why don’t you come work for me? I’ll pay you well and you won’t have to worry about getting your money this way.”
“What exactly do you do?”
“I design clothes.”
I laughed. “That’s the last thing you’d want my help on.”
“You wouldn’t be designing clothes, silly girl. I’d hire you to be my assistant. I’ve always wanted one and since you and I get along so well, I think it could work. What do you say?”
Turning my body toward her, I spoke low. “You never answered my question. Are you worried something’s going to happen to me?”
Her jaw clenched. “All I know is, girls are getting hurt and I don’t want you going down that same path.”
“Did you know some of them?”
“Not personally. I’d never talked to them like I do with you. They were focused on earning their money, not caring who or what they had to do to get it.”
It was in that moment when I really got a good look at her. “Do you have kids, Diane?”