Page 44 of Seduction in Spades

He pops the cap and guzzles down half of it. “Perps loitering around the casino?”

“Nothing showing up on my radar.” I sip my beer and settle in a chair across from him. “I’m not putting my guard down, but I think it’s safe to loosen the reins a little.”

“Bullshit. Avery gets twenty-four-seven security until Micky Donahue is no longer a threat.”

This could take months. Years. Watching Avery round the clock isn’t a bad gig unless I have to keep my hands and mouth to myself, which I do.

“I’ve stretched your time too thin as it is. Who do you have on your payroll you’d trust with my sister’s life?”

“Your sister?”

“I can’t keep asking you to watch Avery’s apartment at night.”

“It’s not like I’m on a stakeout every night.” Only that first night, and it was worth it, even if my cock ached for her. “The cameras are linked to my phone. I get a notification if anyone comes within ten feet of the doors or windows.”

“You’ve flipped your detail so you’re on the floor of the casino like a normal nine-to-fiver so you can watch those cameras you have on Avery’s place every moment you’re not working. I’ve asked too much of you.”

“You’re family, man. I’d do anything for you and the guys.”

“Grab me a tissue while I wipe my eyes.” Trey guzzles the rest of his beer. “You got a name of your next in command that you’d trust your life with?”

My life? Yes. Avery’s not necessarily. Even if Trey doesn’t think her life is in jeopardy, I don’t want any other man watching over her.

“I got it, Trey. I don’t need long chunks of sleep. I’m used to running and adapting on snippets here and there. We’re good. If my intuition starts to fail, I’ll let you know.”

“Fuck.” He runs his hands through his hair and leans back in his chair. “I don’t like how quiet Donahue has been.”

“Want me to flush him out?”

“Yes and no.”

“I get it.”

There’s a risk in pushing Micky into action if he’s not planning on doing anything. All bark and no bite. However, prolonging the inevitable is only dragging out the anxiety and upheaval of our lives. Primarily Avery’s.

“How about this?” I lean forward, resting my elbows on my thighs. “I’ll keep watch on Avery when she’s not at work until our meeting next week. We’ll work with Drake to make a strategic plan of action. I’ll put some feelers out with my men outside the casino to see if they’ve heard any action among Donahue’s people.”

Trey dips his chin.

“As long as my sister is safe.”

“Same goes for you, Baxter.” I stand and scoop up his beer bottle, tossing both our empties in his recycling bin by the door on my way out.

I haven’t minded switching over to the day shift. The casino floors aren’t as packed, and the poker room is quiet, but it’s not like my security team needs me there every minute of every day.

I’m enjoying going home at night and having somewhat of a normal routine. Granted, it could be because I’m responsible for keeping an eye on Avery, and watching her apartment isn’t a hardship.

If I had cameras recording the inside of her apartment, yeah. That would be pure torture. And a massive breach of privacy. I’ve planted bugs and cameras in plenty of residences, but never on a woman. My equipment is used to gain intel on the enemy.

More guilt takes over my chest as I imagine how upset Avery will be when she finds out I’ve been staking out her place. Or maybe she won’t be upset since the only cameras I have inside her apartment are pointed at the doors. I can see when she comes and goes, but nothing else. And I don’t have sound.

If I did, I’d be able to hear her get off to her pink bunny. Something she tortures me with almost nightly now through her text messages. I haven’t caved. I haven’t responded.

I don’t look at my phone until after I discreetly follow her home from work, then drive to my apartment and shower. Two missed texts. Both from Avery.

Avery:I ran out of batteries.

Avery:Heading to the store.

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