Page 28 of Hunt Me

Maybe walking was a bit of an overstatement, but I’d wait to see how cooperative he was before I made my decision how far we’d go with the interrogation.

He grinned and I’d be damned if his eyes were sparkling like he knew a secret. “I know who you are.”

“Well, that’s something. Why were you stealing from us?”

“Because it’s what I do.”

“Ah, a career thief. Let me be the first to tell you that you picked the wrong place. Your punishment will reflect your careless actions. Onto the more substantial question. Why are you so interested in our sports betting division?”

While there were careful regulations regarding betting on sports teams in Vegas, we toed the line on the floor without question. It’s what we did in our secure and extremely private and pricey inner sanctum clubs that crossed the line. Yet he didn’t know that. Or did he?

“I’m a sports agent. I was curious as to what you offered.”

I turned my head toward Sasha to see if he could confirm. Sasha shrugged. There also wasn’t a requirement low-level players provide either their employment or financial records as we did with the high rollers. “Interesting. What do you think, Mr. Shane, about what we do?”

“I think you run illegal practices.”

At least the guy was being honest.

I chuckled. “We run a tight ship around here, Mr. Shane. I assure you what we do is completely within the limits of thelaw.” Whoever he was, he was no agent. He was searching for information. The question was for whom?

Through the years, I’d learned the art of intimidation was useful. So was allowing a squeaky wheel to return to their masters. He was nothing but a courier of information and I wasn’t in the mood to play dump the body where it wouldn’t be found.

“Very well, Mr. Shane. Now, while I apologize for the inconvenience, as you might imagine, you are forever banned from entrance into any of our casinos or resorts. In addition, my associates are going to provide you with another taste of why ignoring our rules and helping yourself to hard-earned cash isn’t in your best interest. But at least you’ll learn I’m a man of my word.”

When he grinned like he was one-upping me somehow, a moment of pure, raw anger rushed to the surface.

Unable to help myself, I issued several brutal punches, appreciating the sound of bones in his nose shattering. What the hell. The man could use a good nose job anyway.

If I was in a different mood, I’d dislocate his shoulder for an additional reminder of his sin, but this was his lucky day. I simply wasn’t in the mood. Interesting. Maybe Kazimir had been right and that I’d needed to get laid.

Thoughts of the perfect angel suddenly drifted into my mind. Inappropriate but nevertheless delicious. As well as relaxing.

I headed to the cabinet located in the room, swinging open the doors and grabbing a rag to wipe blood from my hand. Shit. There were two spots on my nice white shirt. Maybe I’d start wearing black.

“What do you want me to do with him?” Sergio asked as he crowded close.

“He’s hunting for information. Let him go so he can slide back to the vermin he’s working for. Just give him a couple more satisfactory reminders not to fuck with us.”

“You think the Irish have returned.”

“I think we need to pay very close attention to the comings and goings within our resorts. Something is going on.”

Sergio nodded. “You’re very different from your father, Mikhail. Take that as a compliment. I like to think I’m due some credit for that.”

“You’re probably right. If my father were here, the fucker would be dismembered by now, already in plastic bags ready for the dumpster. Let me know if he whimpers anything else.”

What I hadn’t elaborated on was that if I discovered Tristen was attempting to use plants in my operations, I’d hunt them down, creating festive body bags for delivery by UPS.

“Will do, Pakhan.”

I gave Sergio a look and he threw up his hands. Other than the lower ranks, soldiers who wore suits and kept the casinos secure, he was just about the only man in the upper ranks who used the term freely. Yet the respect for my position was strong, loyalty more so.

Issues with employees were rare.

That was because punishments were swift and harsh, just like the one the soldier who’d dared touch what didn’t belong to him would face.

As I threw our guest another look, I caught him eyeing me even as he suffered and blood trickled down his chin. The strange sense of nagging continued in the back of my mind.