Page 5 of One Love

I ignore my stalker at first, jumping in my truck and turning on the engine.

Unknown: You’ll find me when I’m ready to be found.

Me: Fuck off.

Chapter Two

J

Being a semi-regular in Galanos’s casino means I no longer feel the need to wear the stupid cocktail dresses to fit in. My black pants, tank top, and blazer will do just fine. They know me there now. It would seem my reputation precedes me, especially after my little show in that first meeting. A meeting that seems like it was a lifetime ago.

So much has changed in such a short space of time, and while I’m all about taking what comes and dealing with it, I think I’m close to my limit.

That being said, the casino is actually a welcome change of pace. My bruises aren’t fully healed and I still have a limp if I’m not concentrating like fuck on keeping it hidden, but despite initially not wanting to come here looking like this, I’ve decided I no longer give a shit.

“All in.” This guy’s got a major tell when he’s bluffing, and as he clears his throat and sits up straighter, I know I’m gonna call this fucknut.

With a smile—that no longer cracks my lips open, thank God—I take a deep breath, as if I’m really debating what to do. It’s justthe two of us left and I’d hoped this would last a little longer, but his predictability is boring me.

“Call.” I push my chips into the center of the table and watch as he smugly places his cards down, face up, to show the ace of hearts and the king of spades.

It’s a good hand to have pre-flop, but those first three cards have come and gone and we’ve already had the turn, with only the river card to come. Basically, it’s his last play and he’s got fuck all but a hope and a prayer.

The cocky grin on his face quickly disappears, replaced by a little anger as I show that I have two-pair. Threes and fives. At this point, even if he hit an Ace on the river, he’d still lose.

The dealer places the final card down, declares me the winner by pushing all the chips over to me, and begins clearing the cards from the table while the guy just lost looks, as though he might cry. I don’t wait around for his commentary, preferring to say nothing more as I stack my chips before picking them up and walking away.

Well, that was unsatisfactory to say the least. Mr. Wright hasn’t been here all night, so I’ve spent the last two hours occupying myself at the tables hoping Zavier will make an appearance. I have some questions for him, but I want him to come to me. If he thinks he’s important enough for me to continuously chase down, he’s severely mistaken.

I scan the dimly-lit room as I make my way over to the cashier. There are way more men here than women, which fucks me off a little, but I have to give it to Galanos, he has employed just as many male servers as he has women. His croupiers are a healthy mix too. Speaking of croupiers, it’s been a while since I’ve seen the one I’m sure was on the take. Maybe the casino’s security finally picked up on it and fired his ass, or left him dead by the side of the road. Either way, not my circus.

“What a vision in black you are.” Zavier, who had the idiotic idea of opening up a casino in Marco’s territory without giving him a heads up, is lucky he’s not standing any closer. The tip of the blade now hidden in my palm comes close to his ball sack as I turn around to face him.

He has a wide, toothy grin on his annoyingly handsome face, his dark brows rising in surprise as he looks down to see how close he came to being castrated.

“Didn’t realize you were so desperate to get in my pants, Shadow. But I’m a behind-closed-doors kinda guy.” He smirks, raising his hands and stepping back with a small chuckle.

“Shame. I’m an out-in-the-open kinda gal. We’d never work.” I shrug, sliding my dagger back up under my cuff, and he laughs louder this time. I ignore it, opting to get to my point because I need to get out of this stuffy environment. “I have some questions, Galanos.”

“What happened to calling me Z? I kinda liked that, you know. Our own little nicknames for each other.” He feigns offense, widening his eyes and shaking his head. I continue to stare at him, not needing to respond to his bullshit right now. “Ah, okay. We’ve got our serious work face on tonight. Do you wanna come to my office?” He tilts his head toward the door leading off the main floor, that cocky grin still gracing his lips.

“Not really, but I can’t threaten you properly for answers out here. Too many witnesses.” It’s my turn to smirk, but it doesn’t faze him. He just rolls his eyes dramatically and gestures for me to follow.

Frustrating man.

Most men like him would be quivering in their polished shoes, but there’s something different about him. I don’t think I like it.

Closing the office door behind me, I watch Zavier head toward his desk and perch on the edge to face me, palms on the surfaceas he crosses his legs in front of him. The picture of cool, calm, and collected.

“You had questions?”

I had expected him to beat around the bush a little more, but him being straightforward makes this easier.

“There have been bodies piling up around town, with a similar M.O. to your cousin, Yiannis. What do you know?” I could try and use seduction to make him answer me, or torture, both get the job done, but I get the impression neither would work with Zavier. He’s smarter than he lets on.

The look of genuine shock that briefly crosses his usually cocky features tells me all I need to know before he even speaks.

“Isn’t my cousin dead? Killed by his own brother years ago?”

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