Read Bucking the Tiger for Free Online Page B

“You shorted me and I want the rest of what you owe.”
    â€œI paid you the proper amount. Just take it and if you want to win more, you should probably bet more than five dollars a hand.”
    â€œI bet fifty dollars on that hand, bitch, and you know it.” Even though he hadn’t taken his hands off the felt on top of the table, the frowning man took on the disposition of a wolf that had just bared its fangs.
    The other men around the table could feel the tension in the air on an instinctual level.
    Caleb was more concerned by how close the frowning man’s hand was to the gun holstered at his side. “If you’ve got a problem, maybe you should take it up with me,” Caleb said.
    The frowning man’s eyes shifted in their sockets just enough to get a look at Caleb. “And who the fuck are you supposed to be?”
    â€œHe’s not a part of this,” Lottie interrupted. Shifting in her seat, she squared her shoulders and fixed the frowning man with an intent gaze. “If you have a problem, you speak to me. This is my table and you know that well enough.”
    But Caleb and the frowning man’s eyes were locked in a fierce test of wills.
    The frowning man’s eyes were close-set and dark as two nuggets of charred iron. His face was a tough mask of leathery skin, which barely moved as he stared Caleb down. It normally took emotion to change a man’s face that way, but there was none to be found in this man’s expression.
    â€œWhoever you are, mister, you’d be wise to let this pass. It don’t concern you.”
    â€œThat’s right,” Lottie said as she glared at Caleb. “It doesn’t. This is my table,” she added while shifting her gaze over to the frowning man. “Since I don’t want it disturbed any longer, I’ll set these matters straight right here and now.”
    The frowning man didn’t attempt to smile, but he did take some of the edge from his glare when he said, “Finally, the voice of reason.”
    Caleb’s first instinct was to get back into the confrontation before Lottie bit off more than she could chew. On the other hand, she seemed to know more about what was happening than he did. She also wasn’t short on backup since Earl was subtly reaching for something under his section of the table.
    â€œAny of you assholes feel like you got a wild hair up your ass, make your move now,” the frowning man said. “Otherwise, back off and let me and the lady here take care of our business.”
    Before any of the gamblers could say a word, Lottie glanced around the table and spoke in a voice that was as calm as it was convincing. “It’s all right, fellas. This is just a misunderstanding. I’ll take care of it and we can get right back to the cards as soon as I’m done.”
    That seemed to be enough to convince the men to pursue their entertainment elsewhere for the time being. Once the table had been cleared, however, one seat was still occupied.
    â€œGo on,” Lottie said to Caleb.
    â€œAre you sure?”
    She nodded and gave him another one of her promising winks. “Don’t worry. I won’t forget about you.”
    Caleb got to his feet and took one more look at the frowning man. After that, he tipped his hat and headed to the bar. There wasn’t a spot open where he could still keep an eye on the faro table, so Caleb pushed aside a few drunks and made a spot for himself.
    â€œWho’s that man?” Caleb asked the barkeep.
    The moment the barkeep spotted the frowning man at Lottie’s table, his eyes widened and he pulled in a quick, reflexive breath. “Oh…I don’t know.”
    â€œDon’t give me that,” Caleb said. “He’s been waiting to stir up some shit from the moment he sat down.
    â€œHe’s probably just drunk. A lot of times drunks need a while to screw up their courage.”
    â€œHe’s not