Page 19 of Unspoken Obsession

"Last night's event was successful. And this morning we've got a lot of the guests from the event out on the casino floor, so we are busy. The hotel is full. There is a VIP high-roller arriving tomorrow evening so we will ensure he has everything he wants. There are some reports of a card counter who's been spending evenings at the Blackjack tables. There is no concrete evidence yet - but we are keeping a close eye."

I frown and stop walking. "A card counter?"

"Yes, sir. Goes by the name Frankie. New in town. Showed up a week and a half ago and comes in for an hour or two early in the evenings. Doesn't play large, and never two nights in a row."

"Frankie," I mutter his name. As a casino owner, I despise card counters. But they also pique my curiosity. The audacity - and that it is so hard to prove what they do. The problem with genius criminals is they are often too smart to catch.

"What makes you think they're counting?" I ask, wondering just how sure Andrew is.

"The skill is just - it's so good it's questionable. That's all."

I nod. That's how all card counters end up getting caught. They are too good at the game. And ego won't let them step back and lose.

They play with their egos instead of logic. If they just lost some money occasionally it'd be less conspicuous.

Well, now I want to meet Frankie myself. A face-to-face so he knows who is in charge, and then I'll add him to the blacklisted players at my casino.

And the best way to lure a card counter out of hiding is to host a high-stakes game. They can't resist.

He will learn that I am not a person to fuck with - and card counting in my casino will cost him more than he bargained for.

"Set up a high-stakes game. I want to meet this Frankie."

"Yes, sir. I'll set up for the end of the week?"

"Perfect. Send me the details. I want to be here in person. I might even chat with Frankie myself."

Andrew nods. He knows my reputation and his expression tells me he fears for this Frankie asshole. Well, Andrew - Frankie should've thought about the consequences of his actions before he fucked with my business.

After catching up on news with Andrew I go up to my office and complete some paperwork. Finding out about a new card counter has set my irritation levels high. I hate to be taken advantage of - and that is what card counters do. They work around the system.

You've got to be a genius to count cards - but it is still cheating, and I won't tolerate it. If I don't act against this guy, my reputation will be stained.

On Friday nightI walked into La Muse Casino wearing a slick black suit, my eyes already dark and broody to match my mood just having to be here to meet this card counter. It's a waste of an evening - but I must do it in person.

The game has already started when I arrive. I make my way to where they're playing and stand on the platform overlooking the tables.

Andrew comes to stand by my side.

There are seven players at the table. Six men and one woman. Four of them I know well. They are regulars.

I stare at the other two me wondering which one of those assholes is Frankie.

"She's superb," Andrew says, his arms folded across his chest, watching the girl instead of paying attention to the entire reason I set this game up.

"I don't care about her - which one is Frankie?" I sigh, even though I am staring at the girl too. There is something about her that stirs my insides and sets my pulse racing. Do I know her? Maybe I've seen her around here or in one of the other casinos. She looks so familiar, but I can't place her.

"She is Frankie, sir." Andrew turns towards me in confusion - as though he thought I already knew that.

"The girl? The girl is the card counter?"

My heart rate goes up. It never even crossed my mind that Frankie might be a woman. I just assumed - I mean card counting is a man's game. Women tend to - I don't know - not be that smart. It's a woman. That woman. She's fucking gorgeous.

"Yes, sir. And she's damn good at it. She knows when to hold back on winning and it's bloody hard we can't prove what she's doing."

"The girl. Fuck me." I mutter again in disbelief.

"I'm going down. Call if you need anything. We've got the cameras on her." Andrew says, oblivious to my complete and utter shock.

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