Page 20 of Unspoken Obsession

"Yeah - sure." I stammer, not sure I like this.

I step close to the railing, looking down at the table, at her face, the way she moves and that slight smile on her lips as she pushes her chips towards the dealer. Her slender figure, tall and athletic, elegant. Her tight black dress dipped low in the front to reveal tanned olive skin.

Why does she seem so familiar to me?

Her body language, her mouth - something about her - where do I recognize her from?

She glances up, sensing the intensity of my stare.

For a moment she looks taken aback - a sly smile crosses her face, and her eyes shine for a moment. Then she looks away and realization slams into me.

She reminds me of the woman in the gold dress, the little fox from the gala.

Her hair is different. Dark and long, compared to the shoulder-length blonde. This woman seems more poised, perhaps more serious, but similar in so many ways. I've never met someone who reminded me of that fox - but this girl - she has the same energy, movements, and the same intensity in her eyes.

But it can't be her. Something is different.

All night I watch her play; I can't tear my eyes off her even though it is weird and awkward.

I move from the balcony onto the main gaming floor so that I can see her at eye level.

Fuck. She is gorgeous. And Andrew was right - she is damn good at her crafty cheating. She plays it safe but is still kicking ass amongst the men in the game who are very upset to be losing to a girl. Frankie is bruising their egos while stealing from me.

"Frankie," I mutter, watching as she folds her hand. There are only three players left. If she wins now, she walks away with a lot of money - but I get the sense that this isn't about money.

"Who are you, Frankie? Where are you from?" I mutter, sipping my neat whiskey.

Frankie knows I'm watching her.

Her flirtatious glances confirm it. She is toying with me.

My phone has been an annoyance all night and as much as I want to keep my full attention on this game it seems like all hell is breaking loose underground. I've got no choice but to step away and find out what the hell is going on.

Reluctantly, I leave the game, taking one last long look at her.

Maybe I can make it back before it's over.

I hurried down to the tunnels, agitated because I did not want to walk away from that girl. Something about her—I don't understand it—but she has my full attention.

"What the fuck is going on?" I demand, stepping out of the elevators into chaos.

The shift manager rushes over to me.

"Sir, we spotted some intruders on the cameras—the guards are after them and we've locked down all exits."

"And?"

"And that's it for now, sir. We will catch them." His voice was thin with stress.

"Well, don't fucking call me until you do. Handle this." I snarl, then turn back to the elevator, desperate to get back upstairs. It's not like I'm going to go running through the tunnels to catch these assholes in Gucci loafers and a suit. I pay other people to do that.

In the elevator, I do my best to regain my composure. Even with the shit going on in the tunnels, I am still obsessing over this Frankie girl. I want to find out more about her - but without giving away the fact that I own this casino. I don't want her tothink I am onto her. I don't even give a shit that she is card counting at this point. The curiosity has overrun the irritation of her cheating in my casino.

I've got to find out who she is. I want to know why she reminds me so much of that woman. Could it be a sister? Could she lead me to find the other girl?

Frankie plays it safe and ducks out of the game in second place.

She could've won with no effort - but I guess she didn't want that attention. She's a clever thief, with no ego, unlike men.

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