Page 50 of Unspoken Obsession

I know how to make men speak. I imagine she would crumble under pressure.

Just the thought of her tied up and hanging from the chains against the dungeon wall is enough to make my decision for me.

I shut my eyes, forcing the thoughts out of my mind. I should not rush into anything. I can't just torture every person who has a secret. It might have nothing to do with me at all.

I turn my thoughts back to the dinner and our conversation. I won't take such extreme steps—not yet anyway.

"Well, I am sure, as usual, you will be on a winning streak tonight."

The problem is that my team is no longer the only ones who've noticed her card-counting skills and people are whispering amongst themselves that Dante Russo is letting a card counter get away with cheating in his casino.

Most people don't know it's her. They are looking for a man named Frankie - the same way I was when I first heard about her. But the bottom line is that it is making me seem weak. Andlooking weak is dangerous for me. It's something I can't afford in my line of business.

Not after I have built up such a strong reputation.

A strong reputation that I am going to need when I face Antonio Musetti.

The rest of dinner I ease up on the questions, thinking that I don't want to make her so uncomfortable right now and when Lorenzo tries to follow her home later, she gets too skittish and disappears.

I need to play it cool and take it slow even though I am dying to get to the truth. I am a patient man. I can handle myself.

After dinner, we walk to the Blackjack tables together. Then I head to the bar and get comfortable, ready to watch her play. She settles into her game but seems anxious as she watches me and everyone around her. She isn't enjoying this as much as she usually does. I think my questions affected her more than I noticed at the time - and that tells me something important. It tells me she is hiding more and doesn't like to be in the spotlight, in the hot seat.

I also want to watch the crowd. Wondering who she is looking out for.

She had these two men following her the entire time, and we only just noticed them. Perhaps there are more clues about her under our noses we've missed.

The game kicks off with fewer players than usual. It is a quiet night despite the high stakes of the game.

I order a whiskey and sit quietly, observing everything going on around me.

Watching her, I keep thinking about my sister's disappearance and the attacks in the underground tunnels. Why do I get the constant, nagging feeling that she is connected to it all? Is she a distraction? Has she been playing me all along? Chaos erupted as soon as she walked into my life.

We are an hour in when Andrew finds me sitting at the bar.

"Why is she still playing? Why are you letting her get away with it?" He asks me. His arms are folded over his chest as he looks at me annoyed.

"What makes you think you can question my authority in my casino like that?" I snap back, wanting to defend her despite knowing he is right to be annoyed.

"Dante, you know what this is doing to our reputation. Don't you notice how two of the top players aren't even here tonight because she is still being allowed at the table? They don't enjoy playing with her. Even though they can't prove what she is doing - rumors are spreading fast and she is causing trouble for us."

"Fuck." I sigh. I knew this would happen. I rub my fingers against my eyes. I guess it's happening tonight.

"I'll have a one-on-one conversation with her tonight after the game. I will not cause a scene now in front of everyone - but I will make sure she doesn't play again."

Andrew's eyes fixate intensely on me for a moment. He's not sure he can trust me.

"Ok." He says, after a while. "I'll let everyone who commented know that we are dealing with it."

"Yes." I nod when he looks at me as though he has asked a question. "We are dealing with it."

Finally satisfied with my answer he leaves, and I continue to watch Frankie.

This girl has stirred up so much trouble in my life and I still can't seem to let her go. I haven't been able to take any risks as I've been too scared to lose her.

But I guess tonight I've got no choice - I am going to tell her who I really am and that I know she is counting cards.

I have no idea how she will react.

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