Page 35 of Jackpot Joker

My eyes dart between the two bands, and my pulse quickens. When Penny mentioned I needed help relaxing, I knew exactly what she meant. Black is not an option; that completely defeats the purpose of my being here. Silver is a safe choice. It places the ball in my court if I want to be intimate. The problem is, I don’t trust myself to be bold enough to approach anyone.

“Gold,” I say, before I change my mind.

I watch nervously as Valentina slides the silk band across my wrist and tightens it. “Do you need me to provide you with a tour, or are you comfortable navigating things based on your knowledge from the other night?”

“I’ve got it,” I say, not wanting to spend any more time appearing nervous in front of this graceful woman. “Thank you for all your help.”

Valentina gives me another one of her small smiles and signals for me to scan my card. When the doors open, I make my way across the dance floor, the same as I did with Dario. As I stride toward the bar, several pairs of eyes linger on me—lions tracking the gazelle. Being a single woman alone in an establishment like this is a bit unnerving, no matter how many safety precautions they put in place, and I suddenly wish the thorn in my side were present.

When I reach the bar, I’m a little more at ease when the face of the familiar bartender appears. He smiles with teeth that gleam almost as bright as his shaved head and oiled chest. I attempt to pull my lips into a small grin in greeting, but my nerves are making it difficult.

“Welcome back,” he says. His friendly tone allows me to relax my shoulders. “Here alone tonight?”

I track the way his eyes search for his boss. “Yes. Could I get a bourbon and Coke, please?”

His grin is somehow larger now, and I’m certain his cheeks are touching his earlobes. “Didn’t peg you for a bourbon girl.”

“What kind of girl did you peg me for?” I ask, genuinely curious.

The bartender cocks his head, and his blue eyes travel down my body. His method of tracking is different, however. There’s nothing predatory about his approach. He’s simply… intrigued. “Martini.”

“Are you calling me dry?” I ask, and he throws his head back in a laugh that makes me ache for my friend Skyla. He seems easy to talk to and like a good time.

The young man shakes his head. “Not exactly. I was thinking along the lines of serious. Sophisticated. Selective.”

I can’t hide my smirk. “I do enjoy a martini, but tonight I feel the need for something that reminds me of home.”

His huge smile reappears as he nods his head to my right. “Well, in that case, between the bourbon and the sound of your sweet accent there, I may be able to help you out.”

My eyes widen, drinking him in and thinking there is no way this man wouldn’t stand out like a sore thumb in my hometown. He chuckles, making it easier for my smile to grow.

“Not me. I don’t have a death wish.” He nods to the end of the bar. “There’s a cowboy over there who can’t seem to take his eyes off of you.” The friendly bartender gives me a wink and turns away to make my drink as I look over in the direction he indicated.

Standing at the end of the bar is a man with broad shoulders who absolutely fits the bill of a dark cowboy. A beard covers his jawline, thick and matching the black button-down shirt that stretches against his large chest and stomach. Dark, painted-on jeans are held up by a belt buckle large enough someone could have won it on WWE Smackdown. My eyes drift down to black boots that complete the look.

On his wrist is a gold band that matches mine.

My eyes come up to meet him, my nerves causing my teeth to reach out and pull in my bottom lip. It must be the signal he’s been waiting for because the sexy cowboy lifts up from his barstool and heads my way. Maybe a taste of back home is exactly what I need tonight.

Chapter 18

Dario

Gio

Need you at Demone.

Dario

Is there a problem?

Gio

For you.

Fuck. I look across my desk at my head of security. Leo informed me his team located a surveillance device—not belonging to us—in my hotel lobby. I’m not sure who is trying to spy on my business, or me, but I know it felt good to shatter that fucking camera to pieces. I look down at the remnants scattered on the white marble tiles of my office floor, shaking my head. Where there was one, there will be others. “Keep your eyes peeled, Leo, and have the boys do another sweep. There better not be a damn camera or mic in this place that doesn’t belong to us.”

Leo nods and silently heads back out to the casino. When the door closes behind him, I punch the top of my desk. I’m already dealing with too much shit; now I have to go find out what problem awaits me next door.