Page 47 of Hunt Me

“How’s it going tonight, Charlie?” I asked as I flanked his side. The blackjack dealer had been with me for ten years.

He grinned as he threw me a look. “Only one issue, but security handled him immediately.”

“Any inebriated guests?”

My employee knew what I was asking. “Nothing substantial.”

“Keep an eye out.”

“I always do.”

I clapped him on the back. The man had an uncanny ability to notice card sharks from across the room. “Remind me to give you a raise.”

“You got it, boss.”

Within every club, we’d had a discussion with the managers. If anyone was caught with illegal drugs, they were to be reported and eventually tossed out. But they were well aware one of the family needed to have a chance to speak with them first.

As I headed toward the executive elevators, I continuously scanned the floor. Just before I moved through the secure door, I gathered a whiff of perfume and for a moment, I was brought back to two nights before and the time spent with a beautiful woman.

I turned around, searching for the source. When I locked eyes with another beautiful woman, she lifted her eyebrows as if eager to accept my invitation.

Only it was to the wrong woman. I merely gave her a nod as a dismissal and turned away just like I’d done the night before.

Here I was prowling the halls of the resort, still curious if I’d find my raven-haired beauty. I was disappointed once again. A smile crossed my face as I realized I could easily find her identity. I had a half dozen methods of doing so, including contacting my sister if necessary. Perhaps the anonymity was more fun.

I shook my head, laughing at myself before allowing the scanner to check my fingerprints. The meeting I was headed to was important, a final sit down for the newly formed alliance. With the Costas returning to Reno in the morning, we’d agreed holding the meeting off business hours was a necessity.

Since I was alone in the elevator, I allowed myself to envision the stunning beauty once again. Even though regrets weren’t part of my nature, I did regret not waking her, enjoying another delicious round of passion.

The elevator doors opened and I immediately heard voices. I’d purposely arrived late as I wasn’t a patient man and waited for no one.

When I headed into the room, I was surprised at the jovial tone of the conversations.

Everyone had gathered, only the patriarchs of all three families were absent.

In attendance were Kazimir and Alexsey, my two younger brothers; Vissarian, Sasha, and Nadia, my cousins; and from the Costa clan were three of the four sons. Since Giovanni was on his honeymoon, Stefano, DiAngelo, and Alessandro were representing the Italian alliance.

The conference room was filled to capacity, the liquor flowing.

While the final contracts were on the table, they were being ignored. Yes, we’d all had ample opportunity to go over the final details, but I’d demanded we all be in the same room when they were signed.

“Lainey Rose,” Alessandro said to Sasha. “How did you pull that off?”

He laughed. “I told Lainey she had a very special fan who’d be highly disappointed if she didn’t agree to her daddy’s terms.”

“Smart kid,” Alexsey muttered.

Sasha beamed. The man could be father of the year. “Nina received Lainey’s entire collection signed by the artist. The hit of her birthday.”

“The unicorn didn’t take precedence?” I teased.

He threw me a nasty look. “She tried to sleep with the damn thing.”

Chuckling, I took my seat at the head of the table, not bothering with a drink. This wasn’t a social visit or a celebration. While they continued talking about nonsense in my opinion, including the new sports stadium recently opened to the public, I drummed my fingers on the table.

When I’d finally had enough, I slammed my palm down, the force enough to draw their attention.

“Mikhail?” Vissarian asked. He knew my mood swings, the darkness festering inside. He’d learned early on how aggressive I could be.