Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 73302 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 367(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73302 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 367(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
“Dammit, Rafe. What do you want me to do?”
“Tell me what’s right. Help me investigate him or just listen.”
He hummed. “You really are growing up.”
“I’ve been telling you and Lorenzo to stop treating me like a fucking child. I’m doing a damn good job with this casino. Remington came to me, not to Lorenzo, and not to you.”
“So call him and tell him. Don’t break his trust.”
“I thought maybe if I had him investigate everyone in the game, then it wouldn’t be as pointed toward the new guy.”
Dante hesitated before answering. “No, it wouldn’t. Do you suspect any of the rest of them?”
“No, they wouldn’t be in there if I did. If I thought any of them were involved, I would’ve told Remington. We would’ve set them up, and they’d be in our custody now, spilling everything.”
“Call him, Rafe. I know it sucks, but you’re doing the right thing. And don’t get involved with this guy.”
“I don’t get involved with people. That’s for you and Lorenzo.”
“Rafe, just leave him alone. Talk to him for business only.”
“You don’t usually give a damn. It’s not like we have some kind of office rule.”
“True, but there’s something in your voice. I’m worried about you.”
“I’ll be fine, but isn’t there any other option than telling Remington?”
Dante was silent for a few moments, and then he said, “Maybe. Give me a little while. I’ve got an idea, but if it works out, you’ll owe.”
“What kind of idea?”
“Just let me try, and then I’ll explain.”
I didn’t like how secretive he was being, and I had no idea what he meant. Either I told Remington, or I didn’t. What else was there to do? “Okay, but don’t leave me hanging for too long.”
“I won’t.” He ended the call.
I poured myself a drink and threw it back in one go. I considered another one, but I needed to be sober if I was going to talk with Remington.
He was an early riser, which meant I could potentially call him in a few hours. I prayed Dante would call me before then.
7
ZACH
Someone followed me as I drove home. I was ninety percent certain it was security guards from the casino, so I did only minimal work to avoid them. I had no doubt Rafael would do everything he could to check out my identity, and I hadn’t tried to make it all that hard to find out where I was living.
I was trusting Maria to create a watertight identity for me, though I did worry that was impossible to do when up against a family like the Theriots. They would have resources even better than what the bureau had. I needed to work quickly to figure out who at the casino was involved with Ivanov.
After meeting Rafael, I no longer thought he was involved, but I couldn’t know for sure, not yet. The idea that there was a link to the Theriots was set in my mind, but I was willing to accept that they were working to eliminate Ivanov, just like I was. If so, continuing my seduction of Rafael could give me the in I needed.
I thought about how it had felt to slide my hands along his thighs, to step in between them, tease him, touch him. The moment my thumb made contact with his lip, my whole body became electrified. And that fucking kiss. I’d never felt so much so fast with anyone of any gender.
Rafael was full of himself and confident in his family’s power—a family I’d vowed to bring down—but I’d work with him if I had to.
And you’ll enjoy it.
Only if I got to make him pay when I was done.
Or if you turn him over his desk and fuck him into submission.
No.
You want him.
I did not want him. I wanted what he could do for me, and I still didn’t know if he was involved.
Do you really think he sells children? After talking to him, after kissing him?
No. Fuck. Kissing him was a terrible idea.
Because you like him.
No. He was just…
Hot.
Fuck. What if I was wrong? What if he was involved?
My gut told me it wasn’t him, but what if he’d seduced me with his charming smile and his flirting, but how could he even do that unless…
Was I gay or bi? If not, why did I find him so intriguing? Why did I want to kiss him, to touch him, to fuck him? I needed to stop pretending I didn’t. Lying to myself wasn’t going to help anything. I’d always noticed hot guys, but didn’t everyone? I’d had a few mutual jerk-off sessions with a guy in college, but we were bored and messing around. That didn’t mean anything.
Jesus, this was insane. I was supposed to hate him and his criminal family, but there was a warmth to him that I’d never seen in men like Ivanov. Rafael was dangerous, a criminal who had no remorse, but he wasn’t part of Ivanov’s sick industry. Assuming I was right about all that, would he work with me?