Page 1 of Sacrifice

Chapter One

“The Christmas party is going off without a hitch.” Mossimo walks up to me and stares straight ahead. When we are in the casino, we don’t ever look at each other. No. We are too damn busy canvassing for cheaters.

“Let the high rollers enjoy their night. They’ll be drunk soon enough,” I laugh and hold the banister while I watch as more partygoers come in the front entrance..

“Who the fuck is that?” The words slip out before I can gain control of myself.

The huffing from Mossimo makes me angry and I break eye contact with the doors, and stare straight at the woman he’s noticed.

“Carlos Tremaine. The woman is his sister. She’s barely turned twenty-one and already he dares to bring her here.”

Ah, now I understand his agitation. He doesn’t like young people coming into the casino. The moral compass of my right-hand man is crazy. He’ll kill a bastard and won’t even flinch. But a young person indulging in a sinful act bothers him. He mutters something about corrupting an innocent.

“Look at her. She’s as fresh-faced as it gets, and looks like she doesn’t want to be here. Besides, Carlos has been banned by four casinos for card counting.”

“He has an invitation for a reason. Keep your eyes on the floor. I’m going to see if his sister is actually as innocent as she appears.”

“Wait...”

I don’t stick around to hear his protests. Walking into the party, I spot Carlos, who is wrapped around a woman. This is obviously not his sister. Moving along the far right wall, I spot her. My breath hitches as I take her in. She’s gorgeous. I’ve never seen anyone like her. Her almond brown hair is twisted into a sexy updo, with tendrils of hair falling strategically along her neck.

She’s tall and elegant. The ball gown hugs her curves perfectly. My cock throbs to life. Hell, I thought the fucker didn’t work anymore. It’s been years since I’ve been tempted.

As I make my way toward her, I notice she’s all alone standing against a wall. A laugh escapes me as I see the book in her hands. The woman is at a casino, standing as far away from everyone as she can get, and she’s reading a goddamn book. Fuck, Mossimo is right. She’s beyond innocent.

Her cinnamon scent hits my nose and cum my cock starts seeping precum. Before I can make it to her, though, a commotion takes my attention away.

“You bastard!” Looking at the person screaming their head off, I realize it’s the chief of police. “You’re a cheater.” The chief gives the person he’s screaming at an uppercut and the man falls to the floor.

That fucker is more corrupt than I am. Sighing; I motion for the guards to escort the chief out of the area while Mossimo picks up his victim.

“Carlos, dude, this is the last straw,” another man says and shakes his head.

Mossimo slightly inclines his head, silently telling me not to move any further toward them.

“Alonzo, I didn’t do anything. Your chief has a temper.”

The man who I can only assume is Alonzo takes a swing at Carlos, but Mossimo stops him.

“That’s enough. Both of you. Out of the party.”

Damn it. I wanted a chance to meet Carlos’s sister. When Carlos walks past me, I let him. Now isn’t the time to show my hand. He takes his sister by the arm so roughly, she drops her book.

When she goes to pick it up, he snaps at her. “Leave it.”

My mind rages, but Mossimo puts his hand on my shoulder as my youngest brother, Leo, comes up to my right side. Sometimes I want to kill Mossimo, but I know he’s only trying to keep me from doing something rash.

“Leo, I want you to tail them. I want to know every move that fucker makes.” He looks at me and nods.

“You got it, Vincent.” He leaves, making sure to not tail behind them too closely.

“Find out everything you can about Carlos and his sister.” I glare at Mossimo as I pick up the book. A picture of a fluffy Siamese cat falls out, and I smile. So fucking innocent.

“Leave no stone unturned,” I growl as I look at the book title.

How fucking appropriate -Beauty and the Beast.

One Year Later

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