I let out a long sigh the moment I walk off the casino floor and into my office. It had taken all my energy to keep myself from smiling at the woman.
I first noticed Sidney Collins a few days after Carlos hired her. He thought he’d found the latest good-looking dealer to work in my casino.
The truth is that Theo arranged it all.
Robert Collins is a deadbeat loser who gambles too hard, so it was only a matter of time before I knew he’d owe me money.
The problem with deadbeats owing you money is that they rarely have much and can disappear on you. Theo offered Sidney a job so his daughter would always be close if we needed…collateral.
She’s not the first, nor will she be the last.
Most of the croupiers, cleaners, and bar staff in my casinos are related to or close friends of someone I’ve flagged as being likely to owe me at one point or another.
I knew Sidney was attractive but I’d only ever seen her from a distance or through the CCTV.
Besides, I don’t make a habit of sleeping with the staff, and I prefer to keep my distance.
I may be scary, but the unknown is always scarier, so I let my reputation do the heavy lifting for me. People rarely cause problems in my businesses as they worry they’ll have to deal with me.
When they do cause problems, then, I have to step in and make a show of it to keep that reputation alive.
And seeing Sidney up close just now… Wow! Even tied in a ponytail, her hair was long and silky, her petite frame curved elegantly like a vase, and her dark eyes captured mine like a black hole.
It’s a shame she turned as white as a sheet when she saw me. But then again, most people do, especially women.
Either that or they throw themselves at me, hoping to be the one to share my bed for more than a one-night stand. Women like—
“Knock, knock!”
…Joy fucking Brown.
I press the bridge of my nose and open my eyes to see Dallas chuckling by the side of my desk. “Who let her in?”
Dallas shrugs before popping another stick of gum in his mouth and returning his attention to his phone.
“What are you doing here, Joy?” I shake my head at her. “Doesn’t matter. I’m off anyway.”
“Don’t pretend you’re not glad to see me.” She crosses the floor toward me, her fake breasts threatening to spill out of her dress. “I just popped by to bring you a gift.”
I look her up and down. She’s not carrying anything other than a knock-off Calvin Klein purse.
“You don’t have anything.”
Joy raises a finger to my lips, then slowly runs her hands over her shapely hips. “Silly, you gotta unwrap me first.”
I swallow down my frustration and walk around my desk to grab my jacket off the back of my chair. “I’m really not in the mood for you right now.”
She pouts. “I can make you feel better,” she says as I head back toward the door.
Before I can get by her, she reaches down and grabs my crotch.
“Whatever’s bugging you, Vinny, you’ll feel better after spending some time with me.”
“No,” I say, pushing her away gently. “Barge into my office again, and I’ll have Dallas here teach you a lesson.”
Joy scoffs. “He already tried. Could barely get the little guy up.”
“Why am I not surprised,” I say, frowning at Dallas.
He doesn’t look up from his phone as he throws a middle finger Joy’s way.
“C’mon, Vinny, why are you fighting this.” She presses her breasts into my chest and starts walking her fingers up my arms. “The new head of the Markizo family needs someone to take care of him.”
I shot her a glare. “How’d you find out about that?”
Joy runs her tongue over her teeth and smiles. “You see, honey, I’m not just a pretty face. I know people. We’d make a damn good team, you and me.”
She holds her hand out at me, her fingers spread. “Just gotta seal the deal. Put a ring on it.”
I can feel the energy sapping from my shoulders as I sigh. “Why do you persist, Joy? When will you take no for an answer?”
“Come now, gorgeous,” she says, placing her hands on my waist. “You know we’re a match. I’ll make you look good, you’ll pay for my lifestyle, and I’ll give you beautiful babies.”
“Please,” I say as I scoff, “you’ve had so much work done, I don’t even know what they’d look like.”
“And let’s not forget,” she continues, “where my talents truly lie.” She comes in close to whisper in my ear. “I’ll rock your world every night, from dusk till dawn.”
I dodge her kiss and walk as fast as I can to the door. “Dallas, I’m leaving. Find out how Joy knows my dad has stepped down and named me the new head of the family. Use your little guy if you must.”
It’s my turn to be shown the finger.
“Don’t blame me for trying, Vinny.” Joy winks at me. “Just twenty-six and the wealthiest guy in the city, with a string of hotels, bars, clubs, and casinos to your name.
“Plus”—Joy looks me up and down and licks her lips—“look at those big, solid muscles hiding under that shirt. I’d be stupid not to try.”
I shoot a glare at her. “You’re lucky I’m giving you a chance to walk out on those ridiculous heels of yours, Joy. I’ve shot men for less.”
I step through the office door but quickly poke my head back inside. “Oh and do me a favor and lose my number. I’m sick of getting calls from you at all hours of the night.”
She blows me a kiss, then runs her hands over her breasts, down her stomach, and between her legs. “Just letting you know that all this is yours whenever you want it, handsome.”
I slam the office door shut before letting out a long breath.
“Turned her down, huh?”
I open my eyes to see my brother-in-law standing in front of me. “Theo, I don’t think there’s a guy in this town she hasn’t slept with.”
“I believe it. She’s got to pay for the Botox and all that makeup somehow.”
I laugh. “What’s up?”
“Just wanted to let you know everything went smoothly.” He hands me a sack I know is full of money. “Oh, and your mom called. She said they’re extending their trip in Italy for a few more weeks.”
“Does she think my dad doesn’t tell me these things?”
He shrugs. “I promised her I’d tell you, so I did.”
I thrust the bag back into his hands. “Handle it yourself. I’m off. Carlos and that Collins girl made a scene on the casino floor. I’ve fired them both.”
Theo looks at me like I’m talking in another language. “So? What’s that got to do with you going out?”
“The girl is collateral until her father pays up. Robert Collins ran up a debt in a poker game he couldn’t pay. Angelo was supposed to watch him, but the guy gave him the slip and he’s skipped town.”
Theo rolls his eyes at the ceiling. “God dammit, Angelo. Not again.”
“I know, I know. If he weren’t my kid brother, he’d have had his face rearranged more than once.
“But my father made me promise to be patient with him. It was one of the conditions of him handing over control of the businesses to me.
Theo tongues the inside of his cheek. “Oh, yeah? And you gotta do that yourself, huh? Isn’t that a job you normally give to me, Dallas, or any of the other hundreds of people who work for you?
“You sure this hasn’t got anything to do with how often you spend up in the security room staring at the girl?”
“Fuck you, ya prick.” I punch Theo in the shoulder and head to the front entrance. “Shield your eyes when you go put that money in the safe. Dallas and Joy are probably at it already.”
“Yeah, yeah, enjoy your date!”
The car is already there when I walk outside. I slip my shades on to shield my eyes from the sun.
I think about getting in right away, but figure I need to catch a few rays. I spend so much of my time inside dark, secure, seedy bars and clubs, I have to take my sun when I can get it.
I lean against the black Lincoln and pull my phone from my pocket.
I decide I’ll reply later and slip the phone back into my trouser pocket, scorching my arm on the car door when my skin accidentally grazes against it.
Barely a moment later, Sidney walks out. She’s let her hair down now she’s changed out of her dealer uniform, and it looks tousled as it rests over her shoulders.
Her jeans look old and tired but hug her powerful legs and wide hips, and her V-neck T-shirt has a thin layer of sweat, causing it to stick to her abs.
The wind whips her hair, and she brushes the wild strands out of her red and puffy eyes and away from her straight, delicate nose.
I feel a strange compulsion to wipe the tears from her cheeks. To hold her and tell her everything is going to be all right.
