Page 34 of Witness Security Breach

Bill had created this on his own, from nothing. Losing it because of Edgar, a man he’d protected, vouched for, had almost considered family...a man who’d killed Irene, was unconscionable.

Such a betrayal couldn’t go unpunished.

Seething, Bill headed for the poker room.

Twenty tables open 24/7, offering Texas Hold’em, Omaha and seven-card stud for cash or tournament play.

Enzo slithered across Bill’s path, intercepting him before he made it inside. “You’re looking sharp as always.”

“Good to see you making the rounds,” Bill said, swallowing bile as he went through this nightly farce once again.

Given a choice, he’d sooner shove an ice pick in Enzo’s heart than spout false pleasantries, but unfortunately, Bill’s back was up against the wall and he had to endure this.

For now.

“We need to talk,” Enzo said.

“It’ll have to wait. I’m busy.” Bill let his tone slide toward dismissive.

“Now,” Enzo stated coldly, blocking Bill’s path. “My office.”

Any office was the last place they should talk. Didn’t that fool know the radioactive level of scrutiny Bill was under? The FBI had bugs and agents throughout the casino. He’d wager there were federal eyes on them at that very moment. The feds had guys sitting in vans outside his restaurant and house and following him everywhere.

He wouldn’t be surprised if whoever the special agent in charge was had a report detailing how often Bill went to the bathroom along with what kind of toilet paper he used.

“Let’s have a drink later.” Bill patted Enzo on the shoulder. “We’ll talk then.”

“Full operational control and seventy-five percent of the profits,” Enzo said.

Bill chuckled, shoving his hands into his pockets. “I’ll see you in hell before I give you seventy-five percent of my casino.”

“Not the casino. The girls.”

Alarm sent a chill down Bill’s spine. Enzo was making a play for the lucrative sex trafficking ring.

“Not here,” Bill whispered, glancing around to see if he spotted any of the agents in the vicinity. Between the lounges and displays, casinos were full of loiterers, which made spotting surveillance almost impossible. The feds always had at least two agents tracking him. Sometimes more. Whenever Bill caught one watching him, they quickly looked away.

Did they think avoiding eye contact would make them turn invisible?

It only made them look more suspicious.

A pretty lady with deep olive skin and thick, glossy hair from a Pantene commercial left the Texas Hold’em table and walked their way. She wore a revealing tank top, flashing more skin than a fed would, and slacks. He noted her shoes.

Sensible shoes a person could run in was one telltale of those agents on mobile surveillance.

This woman wore killer high heels and had no qualms meeting Bill’s gaze.

“I offered to discuss it in my office. You declined. So we’ll do it here,” Enzo said, checking out the woman passing by. “I don’t care who hears us. It doesn’t endanger me. Only you. I don’t have a vested interest. Yet.” Enzo pulled on a smug grin that Bill wanted to slap off his arrogant face. “The bosses are meeting in a week here in New Orleans to discuss your future.”

Time was almost up. Bill needed Edgar and any incriminating information he had on the lot of them pronto. It was his only salvation.

“Look, I’m trying to help you.” Enzo’s smile widened like he wanted to devour the whole world. “Give them a reason to spare you. After all, we’re friends.”

“Like a viper and a mongoose are friends,” Bill spit.

“Which one am I?”

You’ll find out when I rip off your damn reptilian head with my teeth and dance on your cold-blooded corpse. Bill smiled back but said nothing.