Page 35 of The Bratva's Forced Bride

Luka is sitting at a craps table waiting for me. I walk up to him and give him a hug.

“Welcome back from your honeymoon,” he says.

“Thanks. It’s good to be back. Ready to learn how real business is done?” I ask.

He rolls his eyes, and I smack his head. “Don’t be cheeky. You’ve run with your little side gig with the cars all this time while living under Kervyn’s wallet and protection. It’s time you contributed positively to this family. Now, you’re going to be the owner of this here casino. We’re not going to put it in your name, though, or we’re going to have tax implications. Don’t worry about that, though. It’ll go under an offshore shell company. The accounts will sort it out with the lawyers. You must be here at least once during the day and once in the evening, an hour each time. Your presence will let the staff know you’re watching for anyone skimming off the top.”

Luka nods. “I get it. It isn’t hard.”

“You actively have to watch, Luka, not just chase tail. There is plenty of time to do that outside of business hours. The more time you spend here, the better it will be for business. Gamble with your high-stakes boys. Let them win every now and then. Don’t always sweep them clean, or they won’t come back for more.”

Luka nods but doesn’t say anything.

I lead him to the back of the casino. “You need to interview for the manager’s positions—two managers for the day and two for the night. You need to hire security. The staff for the floor the managers can interview and inform them that if you find out they’re hiring people who aren’t loyal, you will deal with them. I suggest getting a cousin for each shift.”

Luka sighs, and I look at him. “Ah, hard work sucks, doesn’t it? It’s not just about sending a little cryptic text about time, place, and prize money.”

“I do more than that. I race the cars myself.” Luka looks around. “I just hate being chained down.”

“Is that why you don’t want to get married?”

“That’s exactly why I don’t want to get married. I mean, the bet was for shits and giggles, but I knew I wouldn’t win. I just wanted to see you and Arseny battle it out.” Luka motions to a door opposite us.

“State-of-the-art security system,” I explain. “With facial recognition, so someone cheats, and you ban them for ten years, the cameras will pick up if they try to come back in here. Watch out for card counters; those boys and girls clear up very quickly.”

Luka nods and looks around. “I guess I could get used to a gig like this.”

“You’ll learn it quick enough, and trust me, it’s never boring. In fact, that’s how I got Asher. She was in a jam because of her sister gambling at the high-stakes section. She needed an out, and I needed a marriage. Never a dull moment.” I chuckle and clap my hand on his back. “Don’t forget you can call me if you’re unsure about anything, baby brother.”

“I’m not useless. I’ll figure it out,” Luka grumbles.

“I have to go,” I say. “Stick around and make sure they finish today so we can plan the grand reopening. You’ll need an assistant. Preferably one that doubles as a guard, like Renat does.” I smile at my guard. “Get someone who can do it all, Luka. I’m off, don’t strain yourself.”

I leave the casino and get into the car. We drive to one of our other casinos on the other side of the strip. We don’t run money or drugs through this casino. It adjoins to a hotel, and we run sex girls through here. It’s for the upper-end classes that can afford to pay by the hour, even if it takes them a minute to get what they want.

I get out of the car and walk in, looking around. Jean-Luca should be here. He’s on the day shift this week. When I don’t see him, I head to the back where the manager's office is. I listen and hear the unmistakable sound of flesh slapping on flesh and little muffled cries of pleasure.

I open the door and point to outside. “Get out. No fucking during shift.”

They scramble to get dressed. “Jean-Luca, you stay.”

“Sorry, boss. I was just trying out the new girl.” He runs a hand through his hair once he’s dressed. “It won’t happen again.”

“Damn right, it won’t because if it does, I’ll remove the appendage that offends me,” I growl. “Now tell me, you said you saw a couple of Italians here yesterday morning. Did they want anything?”

He takes a steady breath and shakes his head. “Didn’t approach anyone. They played some slots and left again. I saved the video for you.” He leads me to the security room and gets the thumb drive he set aside. I take it and pocket it.

“Keep it in your pants,” I warn him before I turn and leave.

“Where to now, boss?” Renat asks.

“Home. I can deal with the rest there, and I want to hear about Asher’s first day at the gallery when she gets home.” I look out the window.

I had received Jean-Luca’s message during the evening the night before, and it had bothered me. Italians don’t come into our casinos. They know they’re not welcome, especially when they are clearly from a rival family.

I don’t like when things like this crop up. It means they’re up to something.

I get home and immediately send the files to Kervyn to see, and then I pause and watch them myself. It’s definitely cousins of the Italian family, the Pachecos. I recognize them from meetings I’ve had with those scum bags.

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