Concealment (The Cassano Series Book 1) (2 page)

Theo

“Take a seat.” I point to the chair in front of my desk. “Two grand a month must be spent in the hotel and at least another three grand to play poker. In addition, you will receive the customary VIP perks.”

A hard swallow has Mr. Glover reaching up to loosen his tie. “Five grand a month? That seems steep.”

“You declined the eight grand per month package. This is the lowest we go. Along with playing high stakes tournaments tax free, we have gorgeous servers.

“The ones exclusive to the Elite and Royal lounges are intelligent and receive a generous salary, so they’re eager to serve you. There is also complete anonymity here. Take it or leave it.”

He stares at me before smirking.

“They better have been valedictorian and a beauty queen for that price.”

I exhale a deep breath. We have a wait list, so I don’t have to deal with bullshit.

“Let me make something clear, Mr. Glover. You don’t make demands in this hotel. You give respect, or you will never step foot in this building again. Understood?”

A hint of fear casts from his eyes.

“Understood.”

I slide the manilla packet across the desk.

“Here is the paperwork you must fill out. It does ask that you disclose a great deal of financial information, but no one will view the file besides Mr. Cassano and me.”

Standing, he follows suit before we shake hands. I show him out, wondering if we’ve made a mistake trusting him.

Victoria

This is my fourth day, and I’m surprised over how generous my tips have been. It’s not a huge deal since it’s a second income.

I’m also surprised over how tired I am. After my day job, spending another six to eight hours on my feet is kicking my ass.

As soon as I nail this guy, who believes he’s above the law, I can get the hell out of this hooker outfit.

I take a glimpse of myself in a floor to ceiling mirror lining one of the walls.

“There’s no need to look in that mirror, sweetheart; you’re smokin’ hot.”

Glancing into the glass again, I fight an eye roll when I see a guy grinning.

He’s sitting on a tall chair at a blackjack table with two other men who are snickering and likely his buddies. They’re probably here on vacation, expecting easy lays.

You’re a server right now, sweetheart, so play the part.

Planting a grin on my face, I turn around.

“Thank you. Can I get you fellas another drink?”

“You can tell me when your shift ends, so I can show you a good time,” the same man says.

“Hmm, as tempting as that sounds, the boss frowns on smokin’ hot servers spending time with customers off site.”

I’m to the right of him as his hand slides across my ass and rests on it. His fingers are where I normally carry my weapon, so I fight the instinct to take him down this very second.

This job is critical, but he is
not
getting away with this shit. “Sir, remove your hand from my ass, or I will be handing you yours.”

If I hadn’t dealt with assholes for years as a cop, I’d maybe be flattered since he appears much younger than my thirty-two years.

He’s a pretty boy with blonde hair and blue eyes. The kind of guy who probably screwed all the girls in his hometown, but this is Vegas; attractive men are a dime a dozen.

His demeanor changes to serious.

“I think you’re here to serve me, so I wouldn’t be giving out orders unless you want to find another job.” Turning to his friends, he smirks.

“No more bets,” the dealer announces.

“OK, I think you made it clear what you’re looking for, so I’ll
serve
you,” I say with a smile.

“That’s more like it.” His other hand sweeps across my stomach while he squeezes my ass. As he attempts to pull me in close, I smell the alcohol on his breath, which better explains his poor decision making skills.

Reaching my right arm back, I cover his hand that’s on my ass and slip my middle and index finger under his palm. Burying my thumb into the pressure point in the web of his hand, I grab hold of it.

Turning my body clockwise, I twist his arm while cranking down on his wrist. This happens fast, and when I’m finished, I’m standing behind his chair with his arm twisted into a standard wristlock, palm up and fingers facing the ceiling.

As he whines like a child, I put my mouth to his ear. “I’m going to tell you this once. Don’t ever touch me again.”

Letting him go, I pick my tray up from the floor and start to leave, but I run right into someone’s chest. Looking up, I see a man with golden blonde hair in a suit.

“Excuse me, sorry,” I say before I attempt to walk around him. He steps to the left and blocks me.

“Whoa, hold on please. Holton, escort this man and his friends out of the hotel,” he adds, never taking his eyes off of mine.

I break our gaze and turn around. A young security guard is standing next to Grabby Hands.

“Hey, she assaulted me. You need to be firing her ass,” he says, pointing to me before he rolls his shoulder in obvious discomfort.

“I’m certain our cameras would tell a different story. I’m Head of Security, and I’m telling you to leave, not asking.”

Grabby Hands and his buddies get up from the table. “Fine, this place sucks, anyway. We’ll take our money elsewhere.” He glares at me before he and his friends are escorted out.

I slowly turn around to face Mr. Head of Security. He scrunches his forehead and holds his fingers to his ear. I see the cord from his earpiece and realize he’s listening to someone.

“Ms., I’m Kruse, and I need you to come with me. Someone would like to meet with you over this incident.”

Shit, I’m likely getting fired. “Yes, sir.” Passing a server, I hand off my empty tray. He leads me through the first floor of the hotel and onto an employee only elevator.

Kruse is closing in on seven feet in height, and the guy manning the elevator is even taller. He nods and holds his hand up to a thumbprint recognition security system. Where are they taking me?

We ride upward until we hit one floor after the thirty-ninth. The button is unnumbered and black, and there are three more after it that appear the same. Interesting.

The doors open to an exquisite lobby and a young male, who is sitting behind a curved desk in a white shirt and grey tie. He glances up and smiles.

Kruse tells me to take a seat in one of the five chairs that are sitting to the left in the sumptuous room. Giving the guy behind the desk a nod, he strolls to a hallway before disappearing from sight.

Once again, my legs are cautiously crossed, and I feel out of place in this fancy environment. After a few minutes, Kruse returns and holds his hand out.

“Follow me, Ms. Stuart.”

I stand, and as I pass the courtesy desk, the young guy smiles at me. It would be nice if someone told me who the hell it is I’m seeing.

I give a faint smile in return and accompany Kruse down the hallway. We pass several closed doors before we reach one that is open.

A man in a suit rises from behind an executive desk, and Mr. Head of Security leaves me alone with him.

“Ms. Stuart, I’m Theo Cassano.” He stretches out his hand and shakes mine. Cassano. This is one of the brothers.

Am I about to meet Adrian?

He’s attractive with hazel eyes and dark brown hair that has a hint of auburn highlights throughout.

His suit, overly tapered at the waist, accentuates the muscles of his upper body.

“Follow me,” he says, displaying a sober expression. Crossing his large office, he opens a door and steps back.

“You can go in. Mr. Cassano is waiting.”

Adrian Cassano is the owner of this hotel and casino. He’s also the man I’m investigating. Theo shuts the door behind me.

Taking a few steps, I look ahead and see the back of an executive chair sitting behind a massive, cherry wooden desk.

The view through the wall of glass serving as his backdrop gives away how extremely high up we are. I hear a male’s voice, controlled and smooth, and I assume he’s on the phone.

Slowly, he swivels to face me, and
holy shit
, he’s even more attractive in person. He also looks a little younger than thirty-five.

I feel exposed standing in this distinguished space in my hooker wear.

“Can you fax it to Theo?” he asks into his phone. “Thank you.” After pushing a button, he lightly tosses his cell onto the desk.

“Ms. Stuart, please have a seat.” He holds his hand out, signaling for me to take the chair in front of his desk.

His photos do not do him justice. Mysterious eyes, a dark shade of walnut, stare back at me, and a sheen casts off his black hair.

Swallowing, I do as he asks, and instead of crossing my legs, I snap my thighs shut and angle my legs to the side a little.

Do not let him intimidate you, Victoria. No one intimidates you.

Adrian

“I’m Adrian Cassano, the owner of this hotel and casino. I was quite impressed with your moves, Ms. Victoria Stuart,” I say with a smirk.

“It’s Vicky, sir, and how did you see that already? I mean–thank you.”

“Can you explain what transpired?”

“He grabbed my ass, which I would’ve excused, but he refused to move his hand afterward, so I had to do it for him.”

I eye her intently. That wasn’t exactly the response I expected. “So, you’re OK with random men grabbing your ass?”

She scowls. “No, but for the sake of my job, I was willing to let it slide once.” She’s giving me attitude, and damn, she’s gorgeous. This will be more enjoyable than I anticipated.

“I see.” Staring into her striking, green eyes for several seconds, I find she’s determined to hold my gaze.

“I think it would be best to move you to an environment where the cliental will not be touching you without your permission.

“Although the asshole deserved it, I don’t need a lawsuit, and he would not be the last to grab your ass.”

She continues to scowl. At least her attitude suits her day job. Yes, I believe I’m going to enjoy every second of my time with Victoria.

She will be easy to torment since she likely feels she has to keep her mouth shut around me. I have a suspicion that is not something she’s used to doing.

I’m sure she doesn’t want to lose this job and blow her case. The investigation I’m fully aware of.

“I’m sure you have more important things to do than this, so can you please tell me where to report to, and I’ll be out of your way?” she asks.

I stay silent. Her eyebrows lift and eyes widen as if she’s wondering what I’m waiting for. Grabbing my desk phone, I hit an extension and lean back in my chair.

“Blanca, can you please come to my office in fifteen minutes? Thank you.”

I get up and stroll over to my minibar.

“Victoria, what do you drink?”

“It’s Vicky, and no thank you for the drink. I’m on the clock.”

“You won’t be back on the floor tonight, and is Vicky short for Victoria?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Then Victoria, what can I fix you?”

She blows out a loud breath.

“I’m more of a beer kind of girl.” Hearing her chair move, I glance over and find her standing. “Oh, wow, your classic car photos are incredible. Can I look at them closer?”

“Sure.” After pouring a scotch, I pop the cap on a Corona and walk over to her. She’s standing at the wall to the left of my desk, admiring the six gold framed photographs, which are hanging horizontally across it.

When she turns her head just long enough to see her drink, the corner of her mouth tilts, but she quickly hides her smile and takes the beer.

As she stares at the photos of muscle cars, I stand next to her. The scent of roses fills my nose, and I recall what she did to that asshole’s arm. It’s intriguing how she’s both feminine and fiery.

“You appreciate classic cars,” I say.

“I helped my father restore a few over the years.”

With my scotch in my left hand, I point to a photo. “That one there was my father’s.”

“Was? Why would he ever get rid of it?”

“He died. I own it now.”

She peers up at me for a breath before turning back. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

We talk cars, and I find myself liking her as a person. I remind myself that she’s here to take me down … to crumble the empire I’ve built.

No one is going to stop me from my ultimate goal. No one.

There is a tap on the door, and Theo enters, letting Blanca in.

“Please take Ms. Stuart to be fitted for the Elite lounge, and put her on the schedule.”

“Certainly.” Hesitating, she examines Victoria, who glances around the room.

“Um, do you have somewhere I can dispose of my beer?” She blushes as I take it from her hand. “Thank you for not firing me.”

“Have a good night, Victoria.”

A brief smile edges her full lips before she’s breaking eye contact and walking briskly to the door.

No sooner than it closes, Theo marches in.

“Where is Blanca taking her?” he asks anxiously.

“She caused a scene, so I’m moving her to the Elite lounge.”

“Why didn’t you leave it alone? I’m sure Janice would’ve fired her.”

“I don’t want her fired. Another cop might weasel their way in here without me being made aware. If I keep her around and she doesn’t find anything, she’ll leave. Case closed.”

“You’re practically handing over the evidence by placing her in there.”

“She thinks we’re running a call-girl service. She won’t find that there. Know your enemies and keep them close, Theo.”

I shoot my brother a look, warning him to back off.

He scratches his dark hair. “Fine. As long as you know what you’re doing.”