Page 23 of Unspoken Obsession

"Wait," I say, almost pulling my hand back. "What is your name?"

"I'm Dan." He smiles.

I would not make that mistake again. No more mysterious men are going to disappear from my life. I'd rather just ask upfront.

"I'm Frankie." I grin.

"I know," Dan says. "Are you ready to go, Frankie?"

I nod.

He leads me away from the bar, and I think we are going to go somewhere inside the casino. There are so many places to choose from, but he takes me out of the casino, and we climb into his car and drive to a restaurant on the outskirts of the city.

"Why here?" I'm curious.

"Sometimes, even if I am staying in the casino, and it's a lot of fun and there's a vibe, I like to get away from all the noise -- especially when there is such a beautiful woman to give my attention to. I don't need the flashing lights, and jackpot sounds to know I've won."

I giggle. He's smooth, I bet he says that to all the girls.

He's a charmer. A smooth talker. He knows how to get what he wants from women. I need to be careful with this one because his charming tactics are working on me.

I shouldn't be playing games like this when I've got a son at home to worry about.

As long as I get back home by midnight - there is no harm in letting my hair down for a while. I do need to relax. Otherwise, I'll go insane.

Sitting at the table overlooking a horse ranch on the outskirts of the city is peaceful. It's beautiful out here and reminds me of the tranquility I experienced when I stayed in the little cottage with Damion - away from this noisy city.

I take a deep slow breath, letting myself relax into the moment.

"Where did you learn to play cards like that?" Dan asks once we've ordered a mixed seafood platter for two.

"No one really taught me, to be honest. My dad was always too busy, and I didn't really have a mom. The housekeeper showed me once. After that, Blackjack was just something I started playing to relax - and then figured out I'm good at it."

"You're brilliant. Those men didn't stand a chance. You could've come first if you wanted to."

His questions sound like more of an accusation than curiosity.

He keeps glancing at his phone during dinner and every time he does his eyes darken. What is bothering him so much about the messages he's receiving so late at night? He probably has a wife who wants to know where he is. His mood swings from attentive and alluring to cold and agitated.

My heart thunders as I wonder if he knows I count cards. It's unlikely though.

"I don't know what you mean. I played the best I could." I smile, tilting my head to the side and then looking away from him. I need to change the subject.

"What do you do, Dan? What brings you to Las Vegas? Who is texting you, your wife?"

"I've been here for a while now. I run an import-export company, and a lot of my clients are out here. So I stay in the penthouse at the Russo River Casino when I am in town. I don't have a wife; that is work."

At the mention of the Russo River Casino my memory jolts.

An image flashes through my mind. The man in the mask. A heated night of passion.

I clear my throat, pushing the images away. "It's a really exclusive hotel and casino; business must be going well."

It is the most expensive hotel in Las Vegas. And he's staying in the penthouse. He isn't one of my father's goons - that's for sure. They do not get paid enough for that.

"I do alright for myself. What about you?"

I smile, glancing down at my drink, swirling the pink gin so that it splashes and mixes with the fruit pieces and aromatics. "I just moved to Las Vegas. I lived in Canada for years."

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