Page 51 of Unspoken Obsession

There is something else I decided to do tonight because I can't wait anymore.

I need information.

Pulling out my phone I send Lorenzo the location provided by the tracker we put in her purse. I want him to snoop around while she is here at the casino with me.

I want him to report back on everything he finds. I slide my phone back into my pocket and watch her, wondering what I am about to learn.

Frankie looks up from the table as though she can feel the heat of my eyes on her. She smiles -- a delicate, sweet smile - secretive and full of meaning. I wish I understood what she was saying with that smile. I wish I knew what secrets were hidden behind those beautiful eyes of hers.

When she smiles at me like that, it makes me feel like I'm the only man in the room.

I smile back, as gently as she is looking at me. My head and heart are at odds when I think about her. It worries me. All of this is unknown and my heart is behaving like a fool. I am usually so careful, not taking unnecessary risks - but she has me on the edge of a cliff - standing and waiting despite all the danger.

I watch her for the rest of the game, preparing to confront her in private afterward.

It might be the last time I see her - if I don't do this right. I might scare her away. I don't want that, so I need to make sure she understands where I am coming from and why it is such a serious issue. I don't think she knows anything about the Vegas underworld - but it's a fucking dark place -- one I don't want her to get tangled in.

The game ends with Frankie taking second place. She is always so careful not to win even though she can. I guess it doesn't matter at this point as it is the last time; I can't let her play cards in my casino or anywhere in Vegas for that matter.

I know how I would deal with any other person who got caught counting cards in my casino - and Frankie can count herself 'lucky' that she isn't just anyone to me. She is going to get off lighter than pretty much everyone else ever caught.

She walks over to me, that dark gray dress moving like liquid gunmetal. It looks gorgeous on her. She is the finest example of elegance I've ever seen. Her subtle ability to be so sexy - looking like she isn't even trying - takes me by surprise every time.

"Would you like a drink?" I ask as she approaches.

"Sure." She smiles at me, standing just a little way away from me.

"Before we get a drink - I need to speak with you somewhere a bit more private."

She tenses. "Why?"

"It's not something I want to discuss in front of anyone else."

Frankie looks over her shoulder, searching the room with fear growing in her eyes. Again, I wonder who she is looking for. Is it her father she is so scared of?

"Um. Ok." She says after a while. "I guess we can talk."

Doing my best to keep her from stressing I take her hand and lead her around the back of the events room where we host the games - into a side room where we store alcohol for the bar.

She stands nervously shifting from one foot to the other with her arms folded across her chest. "Are you sure we won't be in trouble for coming back here?" She asks. "It looks like somewhere only staff are allowed - not guests."

"Frankie." I sigh, taking a moment to gather my thoughts.

"My name is Dante Russo. I am the owner of this casino and the Russo River Casino - where I stay in the penthouse. We've been watching you since the first time we met at this casino - because we know you are counting cards."

I pause to assess her reaction so far.

Her eyes are wide with shock, and she looks like she is about to run from the room, but it appears her pride is forcing her to stand there maintaining eye contact.

When she says nothing, I carry on speaking.

"I don't think you understand how it works - but when card counters are caught, we react. The consequences for the player are - well - unpleasant. My usual reaction is to ban you from Las Vegas casinos. You may never set foot in a casino in this city again - and there is the possibility of having you arrested. Although, I prefer to deal with these matters more - privately."

Frankie gasps in shock when I tell her she is at risk of being kicked out of every casino in the city. Her face scrunches as though she is in pain -- her jaw tightened and her brows knotted. Her cheeks turn bright red.

"Dante - Dante Russo." She says my name as though she knows who I am.

I guess it is difficult to spend any time at all in Las Vegas and not know my name.

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