Chapter 1
Chapter One
Carlo sits on the opposite side of the roped-off VIP section. “I have guests coming,” I tell him, referring to the girls I’ve told to meet us up here.
“I’m sure you do. Where the fuck is Louie? I’ve got better things to do with my time than sit here and wait,” Carlo grunts before downing the contents of his glass.
I pull out my phone and shoot off a text to Louie.
He owns fifty percent of this casino, and I own the other fifty.
He also owns fifty percent of Aces High, Carlo’s home turf.
The Royal Flush is Louie’s baby, though.
It was the first casino he bought as we were all coming up, which is where he will be, even though he should be on his way here.
We have a standing meeting every Saturday night.
“I’ll speed him up a bit,” I tell Carlo.
Me:
Bossman, a delivery just came in for you.
Louie’s response is almost immediate.
Louie:
A delivery? Did you pay for it?
My face scrunches up in disgust. Did I pay for it? I don’t fucking pay for women. Ever. I type out my response and throw my phone onto the table between us.
Me:
Fuck no. I don’t need to pay for pussy.
It’s not that I have anything against women in the sex industry. They have to make a living, and they’re using what they have. I just think there are better ways to make money. I also don’t want my dick in a hole a million others have been in too.
My phone screen lights up with Louie’s response. “He’s at least an hour away,” I tell Carlo.
“I’ll be back.” Carlo stands and walks down the stairs to the main floor. We’re at Innes, the hottest club in Wild Card. It’s packed tonight, and if I’m honest, I’d rather be anywhere but here.
Holding up two fingers, I gesture for the waitstaff. “Call me when Mr. Giuliani arrives. I’ll be in my office.” I then stand and head in that direction. I have more important things to do than sit around and wait for people.
I drop into my desk chair, turn on my computer, and open up last week’s reports. There isn’t anything that gets past my eyes when it comes to Wild Card.
After an hour and a half of no Louie anywhere, I take a quick stroll over to the Royal Flush to find out what the fuck is keeping him.
I could call, track the GPS location on his phone, but not knowing where he is gives me an excuse to talk to Lailani.
The way-too-young-for-me girl who works the front desk.
The same girl who’s been appearing in my dreams for the last six months. Ever since that first day I saw her.
I usually have the restraint I need to avoid her. I’ve barely spoken to her, but I always notice her. The fact that she’s so fucking innocent and young is what keeps me away. Okay, she’s only eight years my junior. But, fuck, it feels like a lot more when you realize she’s still in college.
I approach the front desk and step behind it, leaning against the wall as Lailani finishes up with the guest she’s helping. While I’m waiting for her, I take out my phone and message Louie. There’s a chance Lailani doesn’t know where the fuck he is either.
Me:
Bossman, you got a heartbeat still? If not, I better be in your will. Where the fuck are you?
Louie:
Rooftop pool. I’m taking a pass on tonight.
What the fuck? He’s taking a pass on tonight? And what the fuck is he doing up at the pool? Unless he’s drowning someone, I don’t see why he’d be up there. And if he was drowning someone, I have no doubt he’d call us to help.
It doesn’t take Lailani long before she turns around and smiles at me. Her eyes downcast. She has a problem looking me in the eye.
“Mr. Russo, how can I assist you?” she asks.
By dropping to your knees in front of me doesn’t seem like an answer she’d take too kindly. “Have you seen Louie?” I ask instead.
“Ah, he went up to the pool about ten minutes ago,” she says.
“The pool?” I’m actually a little shocked she knows. I mean, I get if she’d just seen him walk past or something. But to get to the pool, he would have used the elevators, which are not in the line of sight of this desk.
“Yeah.” Lailani nods, still avoiding eye contact.
“Thanks, darlin’. Don’t work too hard,” I tell her before tucking my hands into my pockets and walking away. I don’t know what it is about that girl that gets under my skin. I’ve been trying to figure it out since the day she arrived on our doorstep.
Pushing through the rooftop door a few minutes later, I find Louie sitting on a lounger.
He stands when he hears me coming. “Boss, not like you to go for a midnight swim.” And then I get a look at what—or should I say who—has him hanging poolside at this time of night.
“Ah, I think I see the appeal now,” I say the moment my glare lands on the gorgeous blonde currently in his company.
“Get your eyes off her.” Louie walks over, positioning himself behind me so I have to turn around to continue the conversation. “What are you doing here?” he asks.
“Checking up on your MIA ass,” I tell him.
“Well, now that you’ve seen I’m fine, you can leave.” He juts his chin towards the door I just walked through.
Huh, he really doesn’t want me around right now. Interesting.
“Sure.” I smile at him. “Right after I meet your friend.” I spin back around and walk over to the edge of the pool. “Hey there. I’m Sammie, and you are?” I hold out my hand to the woman.
Just before her fingertips reach mine, I’m falling forward and landing in the fucking water with a splash.
When I come up for air, Louie is plucking the woman out of the water. “Sorry about that. He looked like he wanted to sink.” He smirks at me.
“Fucker.” I laugh.
“Turn the fuck around,” he growls, which is even more interesting. I don’t think I’ve ever seen my friend this worked up over a woman before.
How long has he been hiding her?
“Fine. Let me know when you two kids are decent.” I turn my back on them while splashing water over the pool’s edge.
“Sammie, get out of the pool,” Louie calls out as he’s walking towards the door, his hand on the woman’s waist.
I decide to take my dripping-wet ass up to Louie’s apartment to wait for him.
Standing in his living room, I take my now-drenched wallet and phone from my pocket before stripping out of my clothes.
I pick up my phone—thank fuck it’s waterproof—log into the casino’s elevator system and check the floors until I find my friend and his mystery guest. I then zoom in on him at her door, turning up the volume to listen in on his conversation.
Because yes, I’m fucking nosey. Her name is Charlotte.
I log out and drop the phone back on to the coffee table as soon as Louie’s footsteps echo through the otherwise silent room. “Why the fuck are you naked in my apartment?” he asks.
“Because some grouchy fucker pushed my ass into the pool.” I point a finger at him.
“You deserved it,” he says.
“So, Charlotte? Where’d she come from and why are you hiding her?”
“She’s nobody, and I’m not hiding anyone.” Louie’s denial just makes this all the more fun. He really should know that I’m not letting this go.
“Nobody, huh? You never cared if I looked at an almost-naked nobody before.” I laugh.
“I was being respectful. You should try it sometime.” That just makes me laugh harder.
“Yeah, respectful, good one. When have you ever wanted to be respectful to a woman?” My hand lands on his shoulder.
“Don’t touch me when you’re fucking naked.” He shoves me aside, moving towards the wet bar to refill his whiskey glass.
“I wouldn’t be naked if I didn’t get pushed in the fucking pool,” I remind him.
“Is there an actual reason you’re here?” he asks, sounding annoyed.
“Yeah, asshole, it’s called being a friend. You should try it sometime,” I snap at him.
After realizing he’s not coming out tonight and that he’s not giving me any more intel on this Charlotte chick, I help myself to his closet and get changed.
My eyes automatically turn to the front desk as I make my way past it. She’s not there. Lailani. I do, however, spot her walking out the door just ahead of me. I pick up my pace to catch up with her.