Page 31 of Unspoken Obsession

The goods were stolen. We didn't catch them.

I watch his face as he reads the same message, and whatever else the person sent him. His eyes grow dark and my stomach churns.

This is another glimpse at the side of him I should pay more attention to. He is hiding something so dangerous about himself—I should not be around him.

I do not know what he really does, and these red flags should not be ignored. If I had any common sense, I would leave right now and never see him again.

But my life, growing up in a dangerous world, has numbed me to certain warnings.

I have survived my father, so far, so why can't I handle a little danger from this man?

He puts his phone face down, further away from me. I watch him take a deep breath and then his face returns to normal. He is an expert at hiding. Switching between his different faces and personalities. Which one of them is the real him?

Just as easily as he pushes aside his anger—I squash my worry. I want to enjoy the moment. As much as this denial will get me nowhere in the long run, I can't walk away from him. So, I've got no choice but to pretend I don't notice.

Now and then he rests his hand on my back, sending heated shivers down my spine while he is chatting and telling me stories about funny things that happened in Las Vegas. When our food is finished, I lay down on the blanket, facing him, staring into his eyes, and listening to him speak.

He asks me about my family, and I shrug off the question, telling him about anything but that.

The connection between us is so strong it's undeniable. I can't imagine this.

The more time I spend with him the stronger it gets and to be honest - it scares me how much I want him.

I fear how quickly this became so intense.

I was supposed to stay detached - just have fun - but my heart has other ideas.

DANTE

Idon't know if I am making the right choice by spending so much time with Frankie. I want to know who she is and I keep telling myself that is why I am keeping her close, but every moment I spend with her my obsession grows deeper.

She is a blinding light, and I am a moth - lured towards her without thinking of the consequences.

"Lorenzo." I blurt out as I march into the office. He jumps at the sound of my voice. "What's going on?" He asks.

"Nothing, no, I just need you to do something for me."

"Jeez, you came storming in here like the casino was on fire." He breathes a sigh of relief.

"Sorry man." I sit down in the chair opposite his at his desk.

I wanted to find out who she was, but she avoided answering questions, and she was very secretive about her life. I don't know if it is on purpose or not - but I'm getting nowhere in learning who she is. So, I've decided to try another approach.

"Open your email. I sent you a still image taken from the casino security footage at La Muse. From a Blackjack game, we hosted there. The photo is of a girl named Frankie. She wascounting cards - and I want everything you can find out about her."

Lorenzo clicks at his computer, his brows knotting as he focuses on the image. "Ok, I've got it here - jeez - she's a looker isn't she." He says, causing my jealousy to flare. But I don't want anyone to think I am involved with her - not even Lorenzo.

"Find out what you can about her."

"What's her last name?"

"I don't have a fucking clue. All I know is that everyone calls her Frankie. She moved to town from somewhere in Canada."

"Alright, I'll look into it. But how urgent is this - because I've got some more pressing matters to deal with—the tunnels?"

"It's urgent." I stand up, pressing my hands against the desk. "I want to know who she is."

He nods. "Fine. I'll get back to you as soon as possible. A fucking girl counting cards, I thought I'd seen it all."

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