Page 42 of Targeted By Desire

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But if you’d like me to chase you again, all you have to do is ask.

“Ugh,” I yelled, throwing my phone across the room. Pressing my legs to my chest, I lay my face into my knees and ran my hands over my braids.

This motherfucker was really getting into my head, making me paranoid. And I’m sure that’s exactly how he wanted me. Scared and flighty and skittish - like a deer dodging the claws of the lion hunting it.

But, I wasn’t a fucking deer. I had teeth just as sharp as his. It was about time I bore them.

THE ASSASSIN

Acting is not my thing.

Usually, I left the theatrical assignments to the others. But, Ares specifically stated he wanted Maria and me to complete this job when we met with him the other day. Not because the task was more challenging, but because he wanted to make sure it was done right.

I didn’t think he knew of the mishap with the agent, but the gleam in his eye when he emphasized the need for accuracy on this job made me reconsider. It was stupid of me to think we could keep any information from him. While it may not seem like he was looking over our shoulders twenty-four-seven, he was always watching.

Thankfully, this mission was easy enough for redemption. Our target was a well-known head of an underground gambling ring. I don’t know what he did or who he pissed off, but someone with a lot of money and power wanted him dead.

To prepare, Maria and I made ourselves familiar with the establishment where he ran his ring.

The casino was nestled in the perimeter of Las Vegas, bright enough to attract tourists but far enough from the masses to stay off law enforcement’s radar. For the past few nights, Maria and I hung around the poker tables, intentionally getting the attention of the men with close proximity to the underground operation. The more they liked us, the more they were inclined to bring us into the room where the real action happened.

I was sure tonight would be the night based on the way they were eyeing Maria.

Her black acrylic nails contrasted against the color on the back of the cards she was holding, and her smoky eyes sensually shifted back and forth between the other patrons sitting at the table.

One of the right-hand men of the ring, Louis I think his name is, had his gaze fixed on her. For once, not with lust, but with admiration and respect.

Maria had been busting his and the rest of the men at this table’s ass from the moment we sat down. An accomplishment from all the studying she did during our travel down here. She already knew I wanted no parts of pretending to be friends with these idiots, so she agreed to play the bait to reel them in.

“What do you got, doll face?” Louis asked.

Maria smirked and held a finger to her glossed lips.

“Are you raising or folding?” he pressed.

She glanced at her dwindling pile of chips, then at the community cards on the table. The river card - the fifth and final - had just been flipped. Her lips pursed into a soft, thoughtful pout.

Slowly, she picked up a small stack of chips and pushed them toward the center, moving with a balance of confidence and urgency to make them wonder about her hand.

The rest of the table took the bait. Laughing at her restraint, they shoved in their stacks, most going all-in.

“Call,” Louis said with a grin, tossing his chips forward.

One by one, the hands came out. A pair here. Two pair there. Louis laid his cards down with a triumphant smirk: full house, kings over sevens.

“Not bad,” someone muttered.

Maria, still wearing her little pout, placed her cards gently on the table.

A straight flush.

“Damn,” Louis muttered, his grin still present despite the money he just lost. “You’re more than just a pretty face, aren’t you?” His eyes went to me. “No wonder you let her play for you.”

“What can I say?” I replied, gathering the chips for her. “Behind every rich man is a smart woman.”

Maria beamed at the compliment. She leaned in close, placing her lips near my ear. “Ass kisser,” she teased. Uncrossing her legs, she added, “Drink?”