Page 22 of Casino King

Enzo steps away from the wall and holds his arm out, directing me to walk down the stairs first, giving me my answer.

Closing and locking my door, we head down, and Enzo opens the back door to a black Range Rover for me. “I’m not allowed up front?” I ask, tossing my bag in the back.

“It’s safer in the back.”

“What’s with you guys and safety?”

“It’s a high priority in our business, and your safety especially matters to Alec.”

“Why?”

“You’re still wondering why?” He tilts his head to the side, studying me.

“Maybe. I don’t know. Yes.”

“Get in. You’re going to be late.”

Realizing he’s right, I climb in the back without another word, and Enzo and I ride to The Aces in a comfortable silence.

“Thanks for the ride,” I say, hopping out when we arrive.

“Wait. I’ll walk you in.”

“Enzo,” I challenge, giving him a look. “I’m fine. I promise. Thank you for the ride, and tell Alec I’ll see him at his table in a little while.”

“I will.” He nods, accepting my request like an order.

“Hey,” I say, turning back after taking a step, curious. “Are you the one who sneaks in to leave me my gifts?”

“Yes.”

“Do you watch my shows?” I like knowing Alec is there for me to dance to, but I think I’d feel weird if Enzo was there too.

“No,” he says quickly.

“Alec?” I taunt, smiling, and he nods yes. “Alright, I’ll see you later, I guess. Thanks for the ride, E.”

“E?”

“Yeah. If you’re going to be my new shadow, then I think I should be able to give you a nickname.”

“Just get inside,” he urges, shaking his head. But I see the little smile he’s trying to hide.

Seeing Alec at his table again makes me dance better than I ever have. Every move I make is for him. I let my emotions rule my body, taking over me like I was someone else entirely. Which I feel like I am.

He doesn’t keep to the shadows tonight. Alec has his chair angled in the castoff stage lighting so I can see, as well as feel, his dark eyes following me across the stage.

He didn’t get to see the slight changes I made to my solo last week, and with every bend, twist, and spin of my body, I feel his intensity for me growing. If his desire was a tangible thing to see, it’d be a hazy black cloud surrounding me – filling me, changing me. My heart beats faster, my mind goes foggy, and my blood rushes like a raging river after a huge storm.

My senses are overloaded and all I can see, hear, feel, and think about is Alec. His black smoke of desire and need for me gets thicker and thicker as I dance, as if he thinks he can shield me from everyone else in the audience but him.

With my final leg lift and spin, my skirt fans out, and the crystals that make up the fringe of it glint off the bright lights. I throw Alec a sly smile when I land in a split with a backbend towards him.

The curtain falls, and it takes an extra second for me to get up and walk off stage. I feel like I was just in a trance for the past three and a half minutes, and am only now coming back into my own body and mind.

After the show, I walk back to my dressing area to find a bigger than usual black bouquet of roses with a note.

Enzo will take you up to my place. I’ll be waiting.

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