Page 35 of Worth the Risk

Wow. Good answer.

Manda pauses for a moment before nodding. “Well then, I guess you kids best be on your way.” With that, I know I have her approval.

Before she’s able to mutter another word, I link my hand with Leo’s and tug him toward the door.

“Bye, Mom. Bye, Manda,” I croak out.

“Bye, sweetheart,” Mom chirps.

“Bye, Kylie. I’ll be in the kitchen sharpening my knives. Call if you need me,” Manda says.

When we arrive at Leo’s SUV, he opens the passenger door, helps me in, and shuts it behind me. Glancing at the living room window as Leo jogs around his car, I notice the curtains moving.

They’re peeking out.

Leo slides behind the wheel and pushes a button to start the engine, and before long, we’re on the road. I’m not exactly sure where to start a conversation since I’m still mortified over Manda’s threat.

“So, exactly how sharp are her knives?” he asks with a chuckle.

“I’m so sorry she said that,” I say. “Manda has never had a filter. She’s a little protective, especially after what my ex, James, pulled. I promise you she will not cut off your balls.” She may try, though, but I keep that part to myself, inwardly giggling at the image.

“I run almost every morning. I think I can outrun her,” he jokes.

I laugh out loud this time. “I’m sure you can.”

“So, Manda is your…”

“Grandmother,” I answer. “When my mother had me, she insisted she was too young to be a grandmother and didn’t want to be a Nan, so she gave herself the name Manda. Her real name is Amanda.”

“I don’t think anyone has ever threatened to cut off my balls. I guess I’d better treat you right because I’m kind of attached to them, so I’d hate to lose them.”

“Yes. That would be such a tragedy,” I tease him.

“Damn straight it would.”

When Leo puts on his turn signal, I recognize the building coming into view. Knight’s Casino.

I should have realized. Leo is new in town, and this is probably the only place he knows well enough to take me to dinner.

After parking close to the casino’s entry—special privilege, I imagine—he comes around to my side, opens my door, and helps me out before guiding me into the casino. I’ve been here before, and the outside is truly majestic.

Still holding my hand, he escorts me through the lobby doors. Inside is a two-story-high fountain resembling a forest. Water trickles from different areas into a pond where several koi fish are swimming.

The casino is ten stories high, and the first floor houses a pool, spa, jacuzzi area, as well as a reception.

We head up an escalator. The second floor is guarded by security officers, although we don’t head in there.

Getting off on the third floor, we head to the right, where we enter a dining lounge. We stop when a young hostess recognizes Leo. “Right this way, Mr. Knight.” She runs her eyes down the length of his body before leading us toward a booth, not once peering in my direction, her focus clearly on Leo.

What nerve.I’m right here, bitch.

Once at the booth, I slide in one side, sadly releasing Leo’s hand so he can get in on the other side.

Our hostess is obviously still checking him out when she hands us our menus and says, “If you need anything… anything at all… come find me.”

“Thanks, Tiffany,” he says, his tone friendly.

She throws him a flirty smile and saunters away, swaying her hips as she goes.

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