Chapter 15 - Pippa
My heart pounded as I stepped through the glass doors of the Casino. It had been two weeks since I stepped foot through these doors, but the moment I heard the cacophony of slot machines and excited chatter, I immediately felt like I was back in my element. I smoothed down my pencil skirt, lifted my head up high, and walked into my playground.
However, it didn’t take long for me to realize that the usual buzz of excitement that accompanied a night of high-stakes gambling was overshadowed by the increased security presence—hulking men in tailored suits positioned strategically around the room, their eyes constantly scanning for threats.
I nodded at one of the guards, a mountain of a man with a scar running down his left cheek. He returned the gesture, his face impassive.
It was unnerving, knowing that Abe and Vlad had all these men placed around the casino for my safety. Abe knew how bored I was getting at home, getting all listless and dull, and so decided my mental health mattered too.
It wasn’t that I wasn’t ungrateful. I truly was. But did we really need three dozen men tracking my every move?
I shook my head and weaved through the throng of patrons. When I crossed the blackjack table, Pete looked up and waved. “Pippa!” he yelled. “So good to have you back!”
I walked backward and gave him a small wave. “Good to see you, Pete!”
Behind me, a bartender tapped me on my shoulder. “Good to see you, miss!” he said, smiling from ear to ear. “The bar’s been a mess with its stocking system since you left.”
I rubbed my hands together in glee, the adrenaline to fix all these problems already running through my veins. “Don’t you worry, Matt. It’s all going to be sorted out today.”
I was back.
***
After fixing the stocking system that someone had messed up, I approached the high-roller area to check in on the numbers to date when a familiar voice suddenly drawled from behind me, "Enjoying the view, Ms. Burrows?"
I whirled around, my heart leaping into my throat. There stood Abe, looking infuriatingly handsome in a tailored black suit, a knowing smirk playing on his lips.
"Jesus, Abe!" I hissed, pressing a hand to my chest. "Do you always have to sneak up on people like that?"
He chuckled with amusement. "Only the ones I like keeping on their toes."
I rolled my eyes, but couldn't stop the flush creeping up my neck. "Well, consider me thoroughly on my toes. Happy now?"
"Ecstatic," he replied, his gaze sweeping over me in a way that made my skin tingle. "You look lovely tonight, Pippa. Happy.”
I smoothed down my pencil skirt, suddenly self-conscious. "I'm here to work, not fishing for compliments."
"Can't it be both?" Abe asked, stepping closer. His presence was overwhelming, a mix of cologne and raw masculinity that made my head spin.
"Don't you have some important Unholy business to attend to?" I snapped, trying to regain my composure.
He shrugged, it was a casual gesture that somehow managed to highlight the breadth of his shoulders. "Nothing more important than ensuring the safety of my employees."
I snorted, unable to help myself. "Right, because I'm in such danger surrounded by slot machines and poker tables."
Abe's expression darkened slightly, reminding me of the very real threats that necessitated this increased security. "You'd be surprised, Pippa. The most dangerous predators often hide in plain sight. Remember Tony?"
Suddenly, my joy disappeared and I saw danger everywhere. Mission accomplished, I guess?
He gave some parting advice on staying safe, before sauntering away.
***
The next day passed in a blur of numbers, conversations, and keeping an eye on everything happening in the casino. The security presence didn't deter the high-rollers or the regulars, but it did create an air of tension that crackled beneath the surface.
Just as I was about to head to the break room for a much-needed coffee break, I heard a commotion near the entrance. Curious, I made my way there and froze when I saw a woman berating one of the guards at the door.
"I don't care who you are! Let me in right now!" she demanded, her voice loud and shrill.
I was about to intervene when from the corner of my eye, I saw Abe push past me. “I’ll handle it,” he said as he crossed. I frowned, knowing then that he was doing that hovering thing he’s so good at.
“What’s the problem here?” he demanded. While the security didn’t let her through because her new ID didn’t have a clear picture, I suddenly remembered I recognized this woman as a regular. I hadn’t earlier, but that tattoo and nose ring were too much of a coincidence.
I walked up to Abe and put myself between him and the woman. “I know her,” I told him. “She comes often.”
“See?” the woman said smugly, glaring Abe down.
“No clear ID. No Admission,” Abe reiterated, his hand now on my arm. He turned back his neck and told the guard to see her out.
“Abe, but—”
“I can’t keep you safe if you allow such concessions, Pippa,” he said with a frustrated growl. “No one enters without a proper check. No one!”
I huffed, frustrated at his stubbornness. "I get it, Abe. But she's a regular. It's just a picture."
Abe's jaw clenched. "Rules are rules, Pippa. I won't risk your safety for anyone."
And that was that.
***
One evening, as I was making my way through the dimly lit corridors of the casino, I caught sight of Abe leaning against a pillar, his arms crossed over his chest. He looked like a brooding sentinel.
I approached him cautiously, unsure of what to expect. "What are you doing here?" I asked.
His gaze locked onto mine, unwavering and intense. "Making sure you're safe," he replied simply.
I rolled my eyes. "Abe, I'm fine. You don't need to babysit me all the time," I muttered, trying to sound exasperated but secretly enjoying the attention.
The truth was, I had noticed over the past few days how he was always there, watching over me. It pleased me to see him care.
But at the same time, something between us had changed. Since I moved to his place, he hasn’t touched me like he did earlier. It was as though that one-night stand was the beginning and end of everything.
At the back of my mind, I knew that that was all it was, a one-night stand. But his hovering was so obvious, that I felt like I was getting mixed signals. He wouldn’t have acted this way with anyone…right?
Deep down, I knew there had to be something more. So why wasn’t he being himself?
Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t notice that Abe was watching me intently. “Penny for your thoughts?” I heard him ask, and his voice brought me back to the present.
I shook my head, for I had nothing to say. Sensing my troubled mind, Abe's hand came to rest on the small of my back, guiding me to the casino and telling me I needed a break. Despite my annoyance at him deciding whether I needed a break or not, I couldn't deny the thrill that shot through me at his touch.
We made our way to the bar, where Abe insisted on getting me a drink to welcome me back. As he turned to place our order, I found myself studying his profile, admiring the strong line of his jaw, the tattoo creeping up his neck, and the way his dark hair curled slightly at the nape.
Get a grip, Pippa, I scolded myself.
Just then, a statuesque blonde in a slinky red dress sidled up to Abe. "Well, if it isn't the king of the casino himself," she purred, placing a perfectly manicured hand on his arm.
I watched, a knot forming in my stomach, as Abe turned to her with a charming smile. "Natalia, always a pleasure," he said, his voice low and smooth.
The woman—Natalia—laughed at something he said, her hand lingering on his arm. I couldn't hear their conversation over the din of the casino, but the easy familiarity between them was unmistakable.
I gripped my drink tightly, a bitter taste forming in my mouth that had nothing to do with the alcohol. The flutter of attraction I'd felt earlier twisted into something uglier—jealousy, hot and sharp.
It's not like you have any claim on him, I reminded myself harshly. But as I watched Abe lean in close to whisper something in Natalia's ear, her tinkling laughter grating on my nerves, I couldn't shake the irrational surge of possessiveness that washed over me. Maybe this was why he wasn’t touching me like he used to. Natalia and others like her.
I downed my drink in one gulp, the burn of alcohol a welcome distraction from the ache in my chest.
Abe turned toward me with a surprised look on his face.
“I have work to do,” I pushed my way across him, ignoring his subtle protests. Time to focus on work and forget about Abe Ustinov and his infuriating charm. After all, I had a job to do, and I'd be damned if I let some schoolgirl crush get in the way of that.
***
I threw myself into work with a vengeance, determined to ignore the way my heart skipped every time Abe entered the room. Spreadsheets became my new best friends, and I buried myself in financial reports like they held the secrets to the universe.
"Pippa, I need those projections by—" Abe's deep voice cut through my concentration.
"On your desk in an hour," I interrupted, not bothering to look up from my computer screen. My fingers flew over the keyboard, the clacking of keys a soothing rhythm.
"Pippa, is everything—"
"If that's all, Abrahim, I have quite a bit to get through." My tone was clipped, professional to a fault.
I heard him sigh, and could almost feel the weight of his gaze on me. "Right. Carry on, then."
As his footsteps faded, I allowed myself a quick glance. Abe's broad shoulders were tense, his jaw clenched as he strode away. A small, petty part of me felt satisfied at his obvious frustration.
Days passed in a blur of numbers and charts. I was so focused on my work at the coffee shop that I didn't notice the casino had quietened until a large hand landed on my shoulder, making me jump.
"Jesus, Abe!" I yelped, spinning on the high stool to face him. "You scared the hell out of me."
He loomed over me, his blue-gray eyes stormy. "We need to talk."
I swallowed hard, suddenly very aware of how alone we were. "I'm busy."
"It's 2 AM, Pippa. You've been 'busy' for three days and leave for work before I wake up and return after I get home." His voice softened slightly. "What's going on with you?"
I stood, needing to feel less vulnerable. "Nothing's 'going on.' I'm just doing my job."
Abe's eyes narrowed. "Bullshit. You've been avoiding me like I'm carrying the plague. Did I do something to piss you off?"
My resolve wavered under his intense gaze. How could I tell him the truth without sounding like a jealous teenager?
Well, I better get out with it, because otherwise I’d come across as being petty and I certainly didn’t want to gain an upper hand.
I took a deep breath, my pent-up emotions finally boiling over. "Fine, you want to know? I'm sick of watching you flirt with every woman who bats her eyelashes at you!" The words came out sharper than I intended, my voice trembling with anger. "That blonde at the bar? Real classy, Abe. Did you enjoy her fawning all over you?"
Abe's eyes widened for a moment before narrowing again, processing my outburst. To my surprise and irritation, a slow smile spread across his face. "Is that what this is about? You're jealous?"
His amusement only fueled my frustration. "Don't flatter yourself," I snapped, even as I felt a blush creeping up my neck. "I just think it's unprofessional. You're supposed to be running security, not hosting a dating show."
Abe's smile faded, replaced by a more serious expression. He took a step closer, and I resisted the urge to back away. "Pippa, listen to me," he said, his voice low and intense. "That woman at the bar? She's a regular. I was being friendly, nothing more. Hell, she's happily married with three kids."
I blinked, caught off guard by his explanation. "But… you were laughing, and she touched your arm…"
"Because she was telling me about her kid's latest science fair disaster," Abe said, a hint of exasperation in his voice. "Christ, Pippa, do you really think I'd be interested in anyone else when you're around?"
His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I stared at him, my anger faltering as I processed what he'd just said. "What… what do you mean?"
Abe ran a hand through his dark hair, looking uncharacteristically flustered. "I mean, you're the only woman who's been occupying my thoughts lately. And it's driving me fucking crazy."
I felt my heart racing, unsure how to respond. Part of me wanted to believe him, while another part screamed that this was too good to be true. "But… you're always surrounded by beautiful women," I said weakly, hating how insecure I sounded.
"And none of them hold a candle to you," Abe said firmly, his blue-gray eyes boring into mine. "You're smart, fierce, and sexy as hell. Why would I want anyone else?"
I stood there, speechless, as the sincerity of his words washed over me. My anger had evaporated, replaced by a mixture of confusion and hope. "I… I don't know what to say," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.
I took a deep breath, my bottle-green eyes meeting his intense gaze. "It's not just that, Abe," I confessed, my voice softening. "You've been keeping your distance, and I… I'm tired of it. This push and pull between us, it's exhausting. Since that night we kissed, you’ve always been around but never in the same way. No innocent kisses, no lingering touches. Nothing."
My words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of unspoken emotions. I watched as Abe's expression shifted, his usual arrogance giving way to something more vulnerable. He stepped closer, the scent of his cologne making my head spin.
"Pippa," he murmured, his voice low and rough. "I didn't mean to push you away. I thought…"
"You thought what?" I pressed, my heart hammering in my chest.
"I thought I should give you space," he admitted. "You moved into my house the night after we slept together and I didn’t want you to think I had any ulterior motives. I didn’t want to put you in a position where you felt taken advantage of. I didn't want to cross any lines."
I couldn't help but let out a small, incredulous laugh. "Since when does Abrahim Ustinov worry about crossing lines?"
A slow smile spread across his face, reminiscent of the cocky grin I'd grown accustomed to. "Since you, apparently."
“Since me?” my voice came out in a whimper, while my heart soared like a rocket.
Unbelievable. Abe Ustinov had been thinking of me this whole time. He’d been putting me first. Right about then, I was the happiest woman alive.
Before I could respond, Abe reached out, his fingers brushing against my cheek in a surprisingly tender gesture. I felt my breath hitch, my body instinctively leaning into his touch. The air between us crackled with tension, and I found myself hyper-aware of every detail—the warmth of his hand, the intensity in his eyes, the way his tattoos peeked out from beneath his crisp shirt sleeve.
"Abe," I whispered, my voice trembling slightly. "What are we doing?"
His thumb traced my jawline, sending shivers down my spine. "Something we should have done a long time ago," he murmured, his gaze dropping to my lips.
My heart raced as Abe closed the remaining distance between us with a determined stride. His hands cupped my face, rough calluses contrasting with the gentleness of his touch. I could feel the warmth of his breath on my skin as his lips hovered just above mine.
"Pippa," he murmured, his voice low and husky. "I promise you, I'll not be keeping my distance again. Not from you."
I swallowed hard, my eyes locked on his. "You better mean that, Ustinov," I managed to say, trying to inject some sass into my voice despite the tremor I couldn't quite hide.
A hint of his signature smirk played at the corner of his mouth. "Oh, I mean it, Sweetheart."
Before I could ask what that meant, Abe's lips crashed into mine. The kiss was everything I'd imagined and more —passionate, consuming, a culmination of all our pent-up emotions and unspoken desires. His hands slid into my hair, messing up the curls I'd spent an hour perfecting this morning, but I couldn't bring myself to care.
I gripped the lapels of his perfectly tailored suit, pulling him closer as I returned the kiss with equal fervor. The world around us faded away until there was nothing but Abe and the fire he ignited within me.