Page 7 of Casino King

“Thank you.”

Nodding, he goes back over to the door where he’s been standing guard. I don’t see the need when the only people who could even get in here have to pass a three-tier security system, but I’m guessing he just does as he’s told.

Swallowing the pills, I press the icepack to my cheek and lean back into the couch as the doctor gathers his bag and stands.

“It was nice meeting you, Tessa.”

“You too, Joe. I’m sorry you were called here for this.”

“It’s my job. Goodnight.” He nods, and Enzo opens the door for him.

Once again, I’m struck with how tired I am, and this time, I let my eyes fall closed.

Chapter 3

Alec

My older brother, Leo, leans back in his leather chair and interlocks his fingers across his stomach. “Business good, Alec?”

“Better than good.” I nod, taking my seat at the table next to my younger brother, Luca.

Once a month, we have our family meeting in Manhattan, and all of the family branches come together, including myself and our cousins from Miami.

Leo made these meetings more frequent since he took over from our father in order to keep a tighter hold on all of our business dealings and make sure we’re all always on the same page.

Today is Friday though, so that means I’m missing Tessa dance.

Tessa Lyons. My obsession.

I’ve had one of my men following her since the first night I saw her in order to gain all the information I could find out while also keeping her safe.

She makes me crazy, and I can’t afford to be crazy when I need a level head to be who I am.

I want her, but I can’t have her. She’s too good. Too pure. That hasn’t stopped me from wanting her with every fiber of my being, though. I’ve held back from going to her, but I don’t know how much longer that will last when I can’t seem to keep away from watching her dance every week.

She’s a fucking goddess on stage.

“Alec?” Leo calls my name, and I snap out of my visions of Tessa in one of her little dancer outfits and heels walking towards me before I grab her and throw her down on my bed, spreading her out for me to see and feast on before she wraps those sexy long legs of hers around my hips.

“Alec,” Leo says again, his voice harsher. “What the fuck is going on? Are you listening?”

“Yes, I am.” The table has filled up with every high member of our family now, with Leo sitting at the head, his relaxed posture I know to be a false bravado he wears. He’s wound tighter than a coil wrapped around a spring, always on the verge of exploding.

“You sure?”

“Yes.” The word comes out harsher than I meant it to, and he levels me with a stare that would make most men piss themselves, and has.

Sitting up straighter, I push Tessa out of my head so I can focus on the rest of the meeting. The Albanians are trying to encroach on our territory, but that shit is not going to happen.

When my phone starts buzzing inside of my suit jacket pocket, I’m struck with a bad feeling. My men know of tonight’s meeting, and they know that Vinny is taking care of business while I’m here. I’m not to be interrupted unless it’s serious.

Discretely, I check who’s calling, and when I see Enzo’s name, my blood turns to ice. He wouldn’t be calling me unless something happened with Tessa.

Standing in a rush, I disregard the glare from Leo burning into my back and hold the phone to my ear.

“What happened?” I ask straight away, fisting my hand in my pocket so no one sees how tense I am. Every muscle in me is tight and ready to attack.

“There’s been an incident. She was attacked at her car.”

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