Page 26 of Hunt Me

“One of the high rollers managed to steal almost six hundred thousand from the house. Caught him just before he left the premises. He managed to beat up one of the security men in the process.”

I whistled. I’d certainly seen my share of card sharks over the years, including women who were extraordinarily skilled. One had even stripped us of one hundred k, never to be seen again. But six hundred thousand was significant. Plus, physical altercations I considered unacceptable.

“Where is he?”

“Sergio and Sasha have him in the green room.”

If Sasha was in my club, that meant there was an issue. He had his hands full with the new development, the resort entirely different than our traditional portfolio.

The green room. That’s what we called the completely soundproof location near the main machinery room. When building the hotel, my father had instructed the architect to provide a soundproof facility with plenty of electrical outlets and a foolproof security system. With a tile floor and a drain system, my father had initially used it to dispose of anyone betraying him.

Since we’d legitimized, the room was rarely used. I honestly couldn’t remember the last time it had been put to use.

Which meant Sergio was worried about the guest’s identity.

I guess my hope that it would be a quiet night had been wishful thinking.

“Thank you, Ian. I’ll take care of it.” I shook my head, rising to my feet and immediately removing my jacket. I’d chosen to wear another white shirt tonight. A bad choice.

After removing my tie and unbuttoning my collar, I took my time removing my onyx cufflinks, placing them along with my watch into a jewelry box on my credenza.

As I headed for the door, I rolled up my sleeves. Days like these were reminders I was getting too old to play beat-the-chicken, a game I’d been introduced to as a child after coming to America.

I’d learned the hard way that scrawny kids with funny accents weren’t welcome in certain neighborhoods. I’d learned the game well, taking the brunt of their shit for two years. I’d refused to cry or complain to anyone, including my teachers. Even though a few times I’d been covered in bruises with a bloodied split lip, I’d never once told on them.

The childhood memories were bittersweet. I’d learned the importance of patience, even if I’d lost the attribute later in life. But doing so then had allowed me five inches in growth and a solid sixty pounds of all muscle.

That’s when I’d shifted the game to beat-the-bully. I’d gotten even. When they’d been found bloodied and broken, my father had been so proud he’d used his control of the police to keep me out of jail.

And the fuckers had never bothered me again.

Oh, those days were long gone but not forgotten.

I took the service elevator to the lowest level of the resort, heading through the breezeway toward the massive maintenance building. The stares were out tonight and as I walked to the secure door, I allowed my thoughts to drift to the mystery woman once again.

Why did it seem her scent lingered, her exotic perfume as tantalizing as her touch had been?

Thinking about her just before dealing with an interrogation might seem out of place to most, but the pleasant thought kept me from turning into the savage I’d once been. It wasn’t beneficial for anyone if the mask of prosperity was ripped away.

After the hand scanner light turned green, I threw open the door and took long strides down the corridor. Maybe I’d finally call it a night after dealing with the issue.

I nodded to a couple of employees as they walked by, both smiling as I passed.

It paid to treat employees well.

Just before walking inside, I rubbed my eyes. The next week would be hectic. Tonight I’d attempt to get my beauty sleep. I chuckled just before reaching the green room.

With the heavy machinery humming only yards away and the soundproof room, there was nothing I could do to the thief that would cause any alarm.

Sergio looked up as soon as I walked inside and I was surprised to see Sasha, our illustrious CFO and my youngest cousin leaning against the wall with his legs crossed at the ankles.

“It took you long enough,” Sergio teased. He flexed his fingers, the brass knuckles slickened with our guest’s blood.

The thief in question was hanging by his wrists from a thick metal pole, his legs dragging the floor. He could stand if desired, but his beating had exhausted him. I could tell that by his labored breathing.

“I’m a busy man,” I said in passing. Sergio was more than just a trusted employee who handled security as well as our off-sight betting arena; he was also considered family. His gray hair and lines around his eyes hadn’t dampened his spirit, his physicality, or his prowess. The man was a walking, talking legend, someone who’d been solely responsible for keeping me from turning into a true monster.

He had class and style while being deadly as fuck. I admired him perhaps more than I did my father.