To Die For (Joker's Sin Book 2) Read online

  To Die For

  Joker’s Sin Book Two

  Davidson King

  To Die For

  Joker’s Sin Book Two

  Copyright © 2020 Davidson King

  https://www.davidsonking.com

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  Cover design provided by Designs By Morningstar

  Editing provided by Flat Earth Editing

  Proofreading provided by Flat Earth Editing and Anita Ford

  Interior Design and Formatting provided by Flawless Touch Formatting

  The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or mechanical means, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval systems, without express written permission from the author, Davidson King. The only exception is in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

  This book is a work of fiction. While references may be made to actual places and events, the names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Licensed material is being used for illustrative purposes only and any person depicted in the licensed material is a model.

  Created with Vellum

  Trademark

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or in any means – by electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise – without prior written permission, except in the case of the brief quotations embodied in the critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. Please purchase only authorized electronic or print editions and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted material. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental. All products and/or brand names mentioned are registered trademarks of their respective holders/companies.

  Warnings

  Violence. Not suggested for people under 18.

  This book is dedicated to Anita Ford. I’d never get through this writing gig without you.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Epilogue

  Author’s Note

  Other Books by Davidson King

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  Max

  The sounds of boisterous laughter jolted me awake from my arousing dream. Every part of me wanted to slide my hand under the sheet and jack myself off to relieve the serious pressure, but it wasn’t an option because I lived in a house with people who didn’t believe in boundaries. Judging by how close the laughter was, I had maybe a minute until one of my sisters barged into my room.

  I was able to slip my pants on before the inevitable happened. “Max, Ma wants you to run to the butcher and get those sausages she ordered.” Frances, my youngest sister, had a mischievous grin, as if she found joy in invading my privacy.

  “Get out, Franny. You know I work late. Ma knows I work late. You’re harassing me.” I wagged a finger in her direction. “I also know she got those sausages, so fuck off.”

  Her tinkling laughter always made my bad mood brighten, and I couldn’t hold my frown.

  “Fine. You wanna sleep all day and miss Mama’s lasagna, that’s up to you.”

  There was no way I was missing that. A quick look at the clock showed it was almost two in the afternoon. I had to be at work around six, so I had plenty of time.

  “Let me shower, I’ll be down soon.”

  After she left, I made my way to my en suite. Being the oldest, and the only male in the house, I had the biggest space. Living with my mother and sisters wasn’t ideal, but it was necessary. When my father passed away ten years ago, we all had to come together to make ends meet. My father was old-fashioned in that he was the breadwinner and went to work but my ma didn’t. She stayed home and took care of the house and kids. Between the four siblings, we were able to get jobs and keep things running really well.

  I started the shower and, as I washed, thought about my life. Teresa, only two years younger, was married and had two kids. She and her family lived three blocks from us and while we no longer had her income, we did just fine. My job was pretty fabulous; I worked at the greatest gay club in all of Haven Hart. Joker’s Sin was unique, had the best of everything, and was run by my close friend Atlas Durand. He was a showman and had built the place up from nothing. When he asked me to run the bar there, I took it seriously and with the amazing paycheck, I knew I could help take care of my family while doing something I loved.

  “Max!” I heard Teresa’s shout right as I shut the water off. Rolling my eyes, I snagged a towel and dried off.

  “What?” I yelled back. There was never a low-volume conversation with my family. She was downstairs and unless I went to meet her, we would have this talk through the floor.

  “Barney has bags of ice, and he needs help.” Barney was her husband. Great guy and likely didn’t need my help, but that didn’t matter to my sister.

  “Be there in a few. I just got out of the shower.”

  I quickly dressed and met my family in the dining room, where Maria, my other sister, was just placing fresh-baked bread on the table.

  “There’s my boy.” Ma came around the table, held my face in the palms of her hands, and kissed my cheeks. “You work so hard, so late. Here, sit and eat.”

  “You know, Ma, I work at a daycare for eight hours a day. Why don’t you ever love me like you do Max?” Maria asked as she sat beside Frances.

  “Hush and eat your food. Kids are a blessing.” That was how Ma answered questions she didn’t want to answer—by saying something was a blessing.

  We made small talk as we ate. Barney told us about his construction company and the new project he was working on. Teresa worked from home, so she was able to be with Steven and Valarie, my nephew and niece, who were three and one, so I heard about the exciting and often gross new things happening there. They were great kids, and Ma doted on them all the time since they were the only grandkids. Like right now, she helped feed Val so Teresa could eat.

  Maria and Frances didn’t have a lot to say about their jobs, and when there was a sudden silence at the always loud table, I knew what was coming.

  “How about you, Max?” Ma aske
d. “You find someone to settle down with?”

  I didn’t hide that I was gay from my family. They actually didn’t care, but what they did want was for me to find a nice guy and have a steady relationship. I had no desire to tie myself to someone. I liked variety, and I loved fucking. Even if the guys out there weren’t doing it for me anymore like they used to, and I wasn’t hopping into bed with just anyone.

  “Nope, nothing yet, but I’m keeping my eyes open.”

  Frances snickered. “You treat men like a buffet. A little of this, a little of that…never ending.”

  “Frances, watch your mouth.” Ma waved her off. “Max will find his perfect match.” She winked, and I was glad the conversation ended.

  As I helped clear the table, my mind wandered to the club. I wasn’t being completely honest with my family about finding someone. There was a guy, but he was unattainable and no matter how many offers I gave him, he always turned me down. Everyone at the club called him Sparkles, although I knew that wasn’t his real name.

  I wasn’t sure if it was the game I felt we were playing or just how amazing he was—his hot-pink hair, glammed-up face, lithe body, outrageous fashion, and quick wit—but I wanted him, and lately I found myself comparing everyone I fucked to Sparkles.

  “I gotta go.” Teresa kissed my cheek. “Have a nice night at work.” I nodded, my hands covered in soap as I washed the lasagna pan, keeping me from hugging her back. “Hey, Max?” I turned, and her face was so serious, I shut the water off.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. Listen.” She inched closer, her chocolate brown eyes so much like our mother’s. “I love you like no other. If you never want to commit to someone, that’s up to you, but be happy. Don’t let anyone make you live their life, okay?”

  “I won’t, I promise.”

  Her lip curled, and mirth glittered in her eyes. “If you ever do find someone though, I will give them holy hell.”

  I lifted my hands from the soapy water, and with a thrill, slapped the suds across her face.

  “Oh. My. God. I hate you.”

  I was laughing so hard, I didn’t notice her moving closer until she had the faucet sprayer in hand and had turned the water on.

  “Sweet lord!” our mother shouted. “I will beat you both with a spoon if you don’t act your age.”

  At that point Teresa and I were laughing uncontrollably, and we didn’t notice Barney had walked in. He’d just started to ask what was so funny when he slipped on the water and landed on his butt. After that, there was no way Ma could hold her stern expression.

  We had a full, loud house with no boundaries, but this was my family and I loved them like no other.

  Joker’s Sin was buzzing tonight. Atlas was known for his themed nights and as I scanned the crowd, seeing everyone dressed in disco wear, I had to chuckle. I wore a John Travolta Saturday Night Fever outfit, and that was as disco as I got. Running around the bar all night, I needed to be wearing something that wasn’t cumbersome.

  Joker’s Sin was designed with the bar spanning the circumference of the stage, which raised up directly behind it. To get to the stage, you’d have to get past me and my bartenders, and that just wasn’t happening. We certainly got a workout sometimes, but I loved it.

  I had five bartenders tonight, all part-time except Shane. He worked full-time like I did, and since he’d joined us about six months ago, I’d been able to cut out early a few times and leave him to shut the bar down. He was a good guy with bright-red hair and gray eyes. He was hot—there was no question, but there were a few reasons I didn’t try and dip into that. For one thing, Atlas warned me if I fucked where I worked again, I’d lose my job. That was a big reason. Also, redheads didn’t really do it for me. He had a great smile and customers loved him, but I felt more brotherly toward him, and I saw no sense in ruining that. He was also Toby’s best friend.

  Toby ran the floor and was Atlas’s partner in life. No way was I going to upset the calm order for a piece of ass.

  “Excuse me, can I have a strawberry martini?” I looked up from making a mojito and locked eyes with Sparkles himself. He generally went to other bartenders, but he knew if he asked me, I’d get his drink to him right away. He knew how much I wanted him, and I suspected he used that to his advantage.

  “Sure thing, sweetheart. Let me get this one out, and I’ll get you yours.” I winked and was met with an eye roll.

  After passing the mojito off to the customer, they handed me their number. I slipped the piece of paper into my back pocket and quickly went over to Sparkles. He stood, eyes wandering over the place while I made his drink. He wore an emerald-green shirt that shimmered when he moved. I couldn’t see his pants, but I had no doubt they matched. His fingers were painted black and he tapped them along the bar. His always hot-pink hair stood out like nothing else, and his face was done up to compliment it all. I had no idea how he did it, but he was a work of art.

  “Here you go.”

  He dropped a ten on the bar and said to keep it. “Hang on.” I couldn’t hear him huff when I stopped him, but I knew he did. “How is this outfit disco?” I gestured to his garb.

  “This masterpiece is the epitome of disco. Look at these pants.” He lifted his leg so gracefully, it was as if he’d done it a million times. Large pieces of what I assumed were sequins were sewn onto the seams of the pants. They were some sort of fancy bell bottoms. “And this top? Are you even being serious right now?” He had a martini in one hand, the other on his hip. “I’m disco inferno up in this shit.”

  Holding my hands up in surrender, I smiled and answered, “My apologies. I can clearly see you’re all about funky town.”

  Sparkles sipped his drink with narrowed eyes. “I’m going to dance.” Without another word, he disappeared into the crowd and got lost in the throngs of people desperate to forget their day with alcohol and dancing.

  Chapter Two

  Lane

  As I slipped through the gyrating bodies on the dance floor toward the edge, I couldn’t help but glance through the spaces to see Max. He had long since stopped watching me, but I could feel the aftermath of his burning gaze. He was hot. I wasn’t some blind idiot. His normally thick black hair was cut a lot shorter, but it worked for him; dark eyes, olive flawless complexion, and a body that was built from manual labor sent waves of lust through me. What stopped me from jumping the bar and giving him what he wanted was that I’d be just another notch. I’d be something he acquired and nothing more. I knew because that was exactly who I used to be, and I hated it. There was no such thing as something for nothing with people like Max. I’d lived that life a long time ago; I understood how power worked better than most.

  Sure, I had sex, and most were as faceless to me as I was sure they were to Max. But something about Max felt like it’d be too much of a power exchange, like if I slept with him, I’d be too vulnerable, and I had to protect myself from ever feeling that way.

  “Can I buy you a drink?” a guy with blond hair, blue eyes, and a gorgeous smile asked me. He was taller than me, which I liked, but I had no interest in a drink that would be followed by an expected fuck. What kind of hypocrite would I be if I said yes to the Ken doll beside me?

  Lifting my half-full martini glass, I grinned. “I’m good, but thanks.” Before he could say more, I made my way over to where I could see Toby leaning against the wall, eyes scanning the room.

  When I first met him he was a timid guy, enamored with Atlas and too nervous to do anything about it. Now, he had that man’s heart, ran the floor of Joker’s Sin, and was what I’d call a friend.

  “How’s your night going?” I asked as I lightly hip-checked him.

  He smiled at me, his brown-and-purple hair shimmering under the lights. He was my height with one of those faces you just knew was all sweetness and honesty.

  “Good. Loving the outfits. DJ Edge is all about the disco.” Toby gestured to the stage where DJ Edge—Ledger was his real name—was doing his duties l
ike a boss.

  “Everyone’s having a great time.” I sipped my drink, sad when I hit the bottom, knowing I’d have to go back to the bar.

  “You’re not up on the stage tonight?” he asked. I was one of the patrons who had a free pass to dance on the stage whenever I wanted—per Atlas’s say-so. I was that good. Hell, I owned a dance studio, so I’d better know what the fuck I was doing.

  “Nah, not feeling it tonight. Disco isn’t my groove.”

  Toby narrowed his eyes and leaned in closer. “Then why did you come this evening, Sparkles?”

  I’d never told Toby my real name was Lane—he’d never asked, and it wasn’t some big secret. I just sort of loved being Sparkles here.

  “Great drinks.” I held up my empty glass.

  “Or…” He tapped his chin. “Great bartender?”

  I knew where he was going with this, but I could play too. “Shane is a remarkable addition.”

  He chuckled and lightly tapped my shoulder. “I’m talking about Max! Don’t be an idiot. I don’t know why you won’t give the guy a chance.”

  “Um, seriously?” I arched a brow. “He probably has STDs that haven’t even been named yet.”