“…Johnny’s back, by the way. I’m pretty sure he’ll want to say hello,” I catch him saying.
Thank fuck for some good news. “Sure.”
He looks around the office pointedly, not wanting to state the obvious.
“I’ll get upstairs,” I grumble, and he slaps his thighs before getting up. Johnny, like the rest of my casino staff, is allowed only in my official office. I guess tonight’s the night to leave my cave.
Sparing the screen a parting glance, I make my way to the elevator, checking the emails on my phone. Most of them are new candidates for Mike’s security position. Dom assigned two of my guys to fill in for now, but they’re more equipped to discern real from fake cocaine than to notice who’s counting cards. I could have gone without the hassle, but I can’t say I’m regretting firing Mike.
The sight of my official office almost surprises me. I was stuck in the basement for too long. Unlike the dark undertones downstairs, this one is all dark red velvet and walnut furniture. My ass barely hits the chair when Johnny’s smiling face enters the room.
“What’s good, boss?” Johnny is a middle-aged man with dark skin, salt-and-pepper hair, and a goatee. He’s a foot shorter than me, and all smiles, but he runs a tight ship. I’ve been desperate to hire a manager to manage my casinos on the West Coast, but I can hardly imagine trusting someone like I do him.
“You tell me. How was theWest Coast?”
“Same old.” He shrugs, dropping into a chair. “People are still gambling more than they can afford. But it means more money for us, right?”
A chuckle escapes me. What Dom is to the family side of things, Johnny is to my casino business. “Right.”
“That reminds me. There’s someone I want you to meet. A poker player from Vegas.”
“Which one?”
“Alex is an underground player, so I doubt you know the name. Come, follow me.”
In the blink of an eye, he’s exiting my office, and I follow behind so I don’t lose him. The sliding door opens, and the glitz of the casino floor makes me remember why I haven’t been upstairs in four days. There’s a certain someone I’ve been avoiding.
I’ll just meet this player, buy him a drink and get back to my quarters. I rush after Johnny, who zig-zags in between tables and players. He passes the Blackjack and the roulette tables before eventually; he halts to a stop. “Ah, there she is.”
She?
My mind scrambles to catch up as he taps someone on the shoulder. I’d know that hair anywhere, but my heart still skips a beat when she turns around, her eyes widening.
“Alex, meet my boss and the owner of this casino, Leon Petrovic,” Johnny says. “Boss, meet Alex Young, the best damn poker player I’ve ever had the chance of watching.”
Collecting myself, I clear my throat and reach out my hand. “Pleasure to meet you.”
A flush creeps up her cheeks at the word pleasure, and my dick jerks in my pants. “You too,” she responds, her voice hoarse. Her dress today is black and short, revealing miles of long, creamy legs and a hint of delicious cleavage.
It’s funny to put a name to that gorgeous face. Alex fucking Young. Sounds like a man’s name. It’s why I haven’t even thoughtabout her when Johnny mentioned a skilled poker player I should meet.
“Boss, you should see this girl play. I’ve already tried to get her into the World Series, but she’s playing hard to get.”
Johnny’s obviously impressed by her, and it doesn’t surprise me. In between the sexy micro-expressions and gestures, I’ve seen her clean out quite a few of my clients in the last four days.
Alex chuckles politely, her discomfort visible in the way she clutches her tiny purse. “I told you already, I’m not one for the spotlight.”
It’s a stupid proclamation. She’s born for the spotlight. Better yet, spotlights were invented with her in mind.
“Yeah, yeah, as you claim. Anyway, I’ll leave you to it. I need to get back to work.” He points a thumb back to the door leading to the offices and disappears just as quickly as he appeared, leaving me and Alex alone. Again.
Turning back to her, I slip my hands into my pockets. “So, Alex…”
CHAPTER 7
Alex
Icross my arms in front of my chest, and his gaze catches on my breasts. A thrill zings through me, and I swallow it down. He’s somehow even taller, even more imposing than I remember him. “Leon… You’re the owner of this place?” I look around the room, acting unimpressed, hoping to avoid his gaze.
