Page 44 of Unspoken Obsession

That night on the mountain with her was incredible—magical even—but it also revealed a glaring truth that became harder to ignore the more time I spent with her.

I can't ignore the fact that Frankie is hiding something huge. I can't ignore it anymore. She is hiding something about herself - from me. Something that I suspect would affect me if I found out.

I don't like secrets. Especially when the person keeping them is getting very close to me. And over the past weeks, Frankie has somehow become an enormous part of my life. Despite keeping her distance from me, she has infiltrated my daily thoughts, wants, and needs.

It's driving me crazy.

I can't stop thinking about her and what she is doing.

I'm grateful Lorenzo messaged me with her location because just knowing that has given me a little peace of mind.

It's hard to think about someone when you can't even picture where they are or what they are doing.

I'll go to bed calmly now - knowing that she is in my casino. She is still in the city. She is around. I considered she might have disappeared back to wherever she came from. Something I've thought was a possibility all along. That she might leave my life as quickly as she swept into it.

The next morning, I woke up groggy, as though I was up drinking all night. It's because I was tossing and turning all night - trying to figure out what to do about this mysterious woman who has come into my life like a wrecking ball.

All day I am on edge. I'm out of my routine and frustrated -- snapping at people who don't deserve it.

I just had a fight with the floor manager and Lorenzo has been throwing me disapproving looks.

Walking across the casino floor at Russo River Casino - Lorenzo is right behind me as we do the rounds.

"I don't often speak up, but with respect, you're being dickhead today."

I spin to glare at Lorenzo who folds his arms across his chest and tilts his head to the side - daring me to deny his very confrontational words.

I sigh, heavy and angry. "You don't need to be a dick about me being a dick. You could've just asked me if I was doing okay or if something was wrong?" I mutter, turning away from him again. I am being an asshole. I'm tired and stressed and I can't stop thinking about her and it's making me crazy.

"Alright - what's wrong? Do you need me to help you with something? We got a tracker into Frankie's purse last night if that makes you feel any better?" Lorenzo asks, following behind me, walking fast to keep up.

"No, I don't need help with anything - just mind your own business." I snap back at him, and the asshole dares to laugh at me.

I spin to glare at him again and he stops walking, holding his hands in the air in a defensive position, but the smile on his face sends a thick current of annoyance through me.

"I'll go and… find something else to do. But do us all a favor, boss, get laid or something to relieve your stress. You'll give yourself high blood pressure or some shit." He smirks, taking a step away from me. He knows I don't mind him being real with me. But today I've hit my limit. It's not a day to push me.

"I think that is a good idea." I nod, glaring at him. "You finding something else to do, not the high blood pressure thing."

I watch Lorenzo walk away, wondering what the hell I can do to fix this horrible mood I'm in. For him to say something like that - it means it's even worse than I thought. Maybe I do need to get laid, but the only woman I want in my bed is Frankie.

The news about the tracker being planted is excellent. I didn't even react to it; I'm so fucking frustrated right now.

I turn around, observing the busy casino floor, listening to the loud jackpot machines ringing non-stop. Music plays from all directions and the longer I stand here the more I realize I would rather be anywhere else. I can't take all of this sensory input. I need silence.

In the distance, near the far side of the casino floor, I see a girl with long blonde hair - the way she moves - it looks like my sister, Daniela. It can't be. I'm imagining things. I'm just tired - yet - my heart is pounding a million miles an hour as I take off, sprinting across the floor -- ducking between loud chiming machines and past the colorful lights. Apologizing as I bump into people, knowing I am being rude but not caring because if that is my sister, I will run like my life depends on it.

The girl disappears behind a corner ahead of me and I shout her name as I sprint around the corner, "Dani."

But she's not there.

She can't just disappear like that. Where the hell did she go? Is someone playing some kind of fucked up joke on me? Who would do that? What is going on?

My sister.

My sister is here in this casino after years of being missing.

"Dani?" I shout again, then spot her walking out of the back exit towards the parking garage. I'm running again, faster than I have ever run in my life. Through the open doors and out into the cool night air, I reach forward and grab her arm, spinning her to face me. "Da?—"

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