Unspoken Betrayal (Casino King)

4. Nicola

For fuck’s sake. Can tonight get any more complicated than it already is?

I am already in a really difficult situation with Luca, and now his brother is interfering and making it worse.

Luca has been spitting out threats every fifteen minutes. Just making sure that I know how serious this situation is - and how much danger my family is in. He isn't messing around. I know that. I know what he is capable of, and now I am wondering if he is still going to honor the deal, we made of clearing my family's debt - seeing as his brother has added this whole extra layer to everything.

I force my shoulders to relax, fighting against the anger that is searing through my body.

I have to go with the flow here.

Luca and Vitorio have something going on between them. At least I know what Luca expects of me. He has made it more than clear. But with Vitorio - I don't know him at all.

From the short interaction I have had with him, I would say he is a better man than Luca - but that really isn't saying much because Luca is an outright monster.

His relentless threats against my sister's life throughout the night have left my nerves frayed and my mind on edge.

All I want is for my sister to be safe, whatever it takes and I don't want any part of what's going on between these two brothers.

Vitorio is interfering though.

Fuck.

It's not good.

I look from Luca to Vitorio, trying to imagine where each path leads. They are both powerful and dangerous men. I have no doubt about that. But which one can offer me the best outcome?

I have to choose one of them to put my trust in.

Luca has already threatened to include my sister in his human trafficking shipment, and I assume he wouldn't hesitate to do the same to me as a means of settling the debt. How can I trust a man who delves into such disturbing and disgusting business?

Vitorio looked confused when Luca muttered about what would happen to my sister, but I can't just assume that it means he isn't involved in it too. He might run this business with his brother. I don't know.

But I still have to choose. And right now, all of my instincts are telling me that Vitorio is the better choice. Safer. The lesser evil of two evils.

I sigh in frustration.

"What's wrong with you?" Luca snaps, glaring at me.

"Sorry," I mutter.

"Smile. Look happy. I can't have my date looking sour and miserable."

I hadn't realized how my thoughts had taken over my posture and expression. Luca's fingers dig into my ribs as a warning. I am going to have bruises tomorrow. On my arms and my ribs. From the way he is handling me. I bite my tongue and do my best to ignore his subtle violence. I know he is capable of much more. He has a terribly unpredictable temper that I have witnessed myself.

I look over at Vitorio again, noticing how his eyes are on Luca's hand against my side and how his mouth is pulled tight as he notices what Luca is actually doing to me.

Vitorio's calm strength seems more apparent than Luca's abrupt outburst.

Despite outward appearance though, I can sense the dominance in Vitorio.

He has a controlling nature but with more respect and patience compared to his brother.

I can't be fooled though. They are from the same bloodline. They come from the same family and the same upbringing. They might be exactly the same but hide it in different ways.

I close my eyes for a moment, trying to focus on what the best option for me is going to be.

Vitorio appears to be it.

"What do you think, Nicki?"

"Of what?" I say, looking at Vitorio.

"Of the challenge? The offer? Do you agree? If I beat my brother in tonight's poker game, do you agree to be my date instead?" He smiles, just one side of his mouth curling upwards and his eyes glinting with mischief.

Do I have a choice?

"Well, seeing as Luca has agreed, I also agree to take part in this challenge," I say, as confidently as I can.

I don't have a choice. The challenge has already been accepted by Luca. Unless Luca was hoping that I would say I wouldn't be involved in it. I don't know.

"Then, can I steal you away for a little bit to introduce you to the other players? They can't win you, but they will affect how the game plays out while Luca and I are sitting at the same table as them." Vitorio asks, and I narrow my eyes towards him. He is making a bold move to get me away from Luca and I can't deny that I appreciate it. But what is he going to want in return? I can't end up owing both brothers. The way he is looking at me is so suggestive, that I find my body heating up in response to his gaze.

Briefly, his eyes wander over me and I tilt my head to the side.

If anything, I want to follow Vitorio just as a giant fuck you to Luca. A clear message to say, you might have something against me, but you don't own me.

"Of course, I guess I should meet everyone playing." I smile sweetly and step away from Luca, half expecting him to grab me back against him. But he slowly drops his arm away from me.

"Vitorio," Luca says, with an underlying threat in his voice. "I will be watching you closely in this game brother."

"I expect nothing less. May the best man win." He winks at me and before I can control it, I am grinning.

I step towards Vitorio, breathing a quiet sigh of relief to be moving away from Luca. When Vitorio places his hand on my lower back to lead me through the crowds I feel instant electricity growing in my body beneath his touch. What is happening? I can't be distracted like this.

"You have a beautiful smile, Nicki. After an evening with me, I promise you, you will be smiling a lot more."

I spin my head towards his, shocked at his suggestive comment. Did he mean what I think he meant? My entire body is buzzing at the thought of being with him.

My mind is flooded with so many emotions.

Fear, defiance, and now lust.

I glance over my shoulder at where I was standing with Luca.

His face is clouded with rage. I can see the muscles of his jaw flexing and moving as he stares after us. He is furious. Vitorio's hand runs gently over my back. Seductive and enticing. I turn away from Luca and let Vitorio lead me to whom we are supposed to be meeting.

But instead of taking me to the players, he takes me to a corner bar at the edge of the event.

"Would you like another martini?" He asks, his eyes penetrating into me.

"Yes, thank you. Where are the other players?" I say, looking around curiously.

"They can wait. Besides, they aren't going to win, so there really isn't any need for you to meet any of them."

I giggle. "Is that so? Who is going to win then?"

"I am." He says, casual and confident.

"I didn't even see your name on the list of players though." I smile, raising one eyebrow at him.

"That is because I had nothing enticing me to play." He reaches out and touches my face, brushing the back of his fingers over my cheek. Slow and heated. His thumb moves softly over my lips. "I have a reason to play now. And when I play, I win."

"And what do you expect to happen when you win?" I ask sharply. I am so annoyed at myself for being so turned on by this man.

He steps closer to me, my back is against the bar counter, and I can't move away from him, even if I wanted to, which I don't really. His body presses against mine and I can feel the hardness of his muscles when I lift my hand to place it on his chest.

Cupping my chin in his fingers, he tilts my head to the side, leaning close to me so that he can whisper against my ear. The warmth of his breath brushes over my exposed neck and my skin flushes with goosebumps. My heart races and my body unconsciously moves to be even closer to him. I catch myself, as my breathing gets faster and deeper.

"I expect that you will tell me exactly what you want me to do to you. Anything you like, so that I can see that beautiful smile of yours."

He hasn't answered me, not really, but the way he is talking is making me want to rip his clothes off and wrap my legs around his waist. He makes it sound as though tonight will be a wild night of passion if I end up with him, but at the same time, he is leaving it as my choice.

An image of him lifting me onto the bar counter and fucking me right here in front of everyone races through my mind.

I gasped softly, and the grin on his face when he looked into my eyes told me that he definitely enjoyed my reaction to his seductive suggestion.

Just because I find you ridiculously fucking sexy, Vitorio, doesn't mean I am going to let you have me like that. I bite my lip.

I am not that easy to seduce. I tell myself, to remind myself to get control over whatever is happening to my body right now. It's really difficult, with him standing so close to me, towering over me with his sculpted body and broad shoulders. The thick muscles of his neck and that tattoo that runs across his chest - I want to see the rest of it.

The bartender places our drinks on the counter and Vitorio steps away from me, just enough to hand me the martini.

"Two olives." He says, and I realize that he was obviously paying attention when I went to get my own drink earlier.

I want to trust him. But my own safety comes first tonight. Whatever happens, I have to make sure that I stay safe, so that I can keep my family safe. And during all of this chaos, I have to find out whatever I can about what happened to my father. Someone in this casino knows, and someone can tell me the truth. I just need to find the right person.

Drinking martinis at the bar with this drop-dead gorgeous man is already a lot less stressful than trying to appease Luca and his volatile attitude all night. I take a moment to pull my thoughts together, trying to ignore the gentle way in which Vitorio's hand is resting on my side.

"Why haven't I met you before?" he asks, his voice deep and alluring.

"I don't usually waste time in places like this," I say bluntly.

He laughs and the sound vibrates through me.

"I don't blame you. It's rather monotonous, isn't it? There is a whole world out there to explore, and people choose to come here, parade themselves, and spend ridiculous amounts of money on nothing at all."

"I would have thought you would like that, seeing as this is your casino after all."

"It is a business to me. It is not a lifestyle I choose for myself. I am here when I need to work, and the rest of the time I am doing what I love."

"What do you love?"

"Being outdoors. I hardly have any time for it with the demands of my businesses, but that is where I find my peace and enjoyment."

"What about the parties and the wild nights, and the tequila shots, and all of these beautiful women practically undressing you with their eyes?"

He laughs again.

"I only see one beautiful woman here." His eyes are piercing into me again and my heart skips a beat.

"Smooth," I whisper, with laughter in my voice, knowing that he must have used that line on hundreds of girls before.

"Don't mistake me for my brother, beautiful girl. I am not him." He whispers in response. My eyes are on his lips, and I feel my own lips tingling, wondering what it feels like to kiss him.

The corners of his mouth curl up in a mischievous grin.

His long fingers wrap around my chin again as he lifts my face towards his. Before I even know what is happening, his mouth is pressed against mine.

I should stop him. I should push him away. I should slap him for the audacity of this bold move.

But I don't.

I find myself melting against him, as his arm wraps around my back, pulling me into his body. His lips move over mine, and his tongue slips into my mouth. The kiss is so passionate, and it's taken control of my entire body. For a moment I forget where I am, and what I am doing. All I feel is him.

Then everything rushes back to me and I manage to pull myself away from him. I step back, softly clearing my throat. I reach up and run my own fingers over my lips, feeling the heat on my skin.

Knowing that there is an even more intense heat between my legs.

I never wanted to be involved with the mafia, and now I am standing here at the bar kissing one of the mafia bosses, while I try and negotiate with another to keep my family safe. I am playing such a dangerous game.

"Why did you kiss me?" I demand.

He smirks. "For good luck, of course."

"I thought you didn't need luck."

"I don't. But I thought it was a good excuse to taste you."

I find myself grinning and shaking my head. He is a tease. I need to keep a close eye on him. There is something about him that is making me lose control of myself and stealing my focus.

This stranger.

This dangerous, unknown, gorgeous man.

I have no idea what he is capable of, or what he will actually do to me if he wins.

I am thrilled and terrified at the idea.