Merry with a Gambler (Love Beach Holiday Collection)

Chapter 11

CHAPTER 11

Stack (Dax)

I hated leaving the bar without being able to touch Boots goodbye. Eye contact was all we had. Pax is right, I have to be careful not to endanger her. The sooner I get this assignment over, the sooner I can take some down time.

It’s Saturday and the cruise ship is packed with semi-pros, beginners and enough mom and pops to keep the liquor flowing. I-Tee let me know the cameras I hid when I came on the ship before are still in place but nothing of use was recorded. I’ll plant a couple more later.

Tonight, the game is on. As much as I love the rush, I’d rather be back at the Sandy Sipper with my girl. Shit. Maybe I’m getting old. Bowie and I have always been the ones to volunteer for undercover work. Maybe it’s time for some of the new guys to take over.

My hair is gelled back, and I’ve added a touch of gray to my beard. I adjust the designer glasses that house the miniature camera. I-Tee’s voice comes across clearly through my tiny earbud.

“Camera’s clear. We’ve got you. Just walk around and we’ll do our thing. Oh, you may want to loosen your ass a little to fit that prissy Armani suit. Right now, you’re stalking like a panther. The two don’t fit.

Using the middle finger on my left hand to push my glasses frame up I hear his laugh.

“Jed said to tell you if you damage the Jaeger-Lecoultre watch or diamond pinky ring, you bought them.”

I stroll the crowded floor impatiently waiting for a place at one of the better tables. I’ve already been able to win repeatedly at the smaller games.

I’ve made it clear to the staff that I’m here humoring my elderly parents for the week. Tonight is all about being noticed, flaunting my wealth, ability to play and garnering an invite to the high-stake game we believe they hold below deck. We suspect more than cards are changing hands on this ship.

“Sam, the floor man approaches, “Sir, I believe I’ve found you a place at a table more suited to what you’re looking for.”

“Thank fuck. My mother booked us another few nights on the Faro. I’ll go stir crazy if I have to watch her at the slots and my stepfather at the craps table. Could you have the waitress bring me a Macallan, or the best you have.”

I spend the next two hours losing just enough they don’t get suspicious and over betting just enough to have the house interested in how far I’ll go. Making sure I come away ahead and cementing my friendship with the floor man.

“Did you enjoy the game, sir?” Sam asks.

“Name’s, Ellis Ghost, Sam. Yes, that table was more challenging. I’m a little disappointed the stakes were lower than I expected, and it ended too soon.”

“Sir, did you say that you’re coming back again tomorrow?”

“Yes,” I release a frustrated sigh.

“You’re looking for a higher caliber of play and bets, correct?”

“Much higher, more challenge.”

“But you said you’re watching over your parents?”

“Tonight, yes. Tomorrow my sister will be with them. They have similar taste. I’m just the banker.”

“With the light parade this Saturday the gaming does take a bit of a hit. However, if you’re interested in a private party that extends until dawn, we’re hosting something exclusive for our Platinum Shareholder Club Members on Sunday.”

Lifting an eyebrow in question, I nod for him to continue.

“After we drop off the general guests the ship goes back out to clear our engines and there’s a shareholders meeting. The time back to port takes much longer and our shareholders can enjoy the comforts of the lower levels, socialize and get to know one another as well as extended play tables. There’s usually time for a few friendly games amongst the club members.” He nods toward the bar where some of the last group have gone to refresh. “You’ve already played with a few members this evening.”

“Does the bar stay open, and the waitresses hang around as well?” I tip my drink and openly study the redhead behind the bar.

“Of course. As a shareholder, we ensure you continue to have all the member benefits during our special meetings.”

I don’t miss his emphasis on the word all.

He meets my gaze with a slight smile. “Your driver would need to pick you up at our port site around seven in the morning.”

“What do I need to do to become a shareholder?”

“There’s a membership fee that we could charge to your account this evening.”

I smile at the redhead again and lift my glass indicating a refill. She smiles back.

“Sign me up, Sam.”

There’s two hours left of the cruise when I leave the table letting just enough frustration and boredom show.

The redhead bartender has disappeared, and a younger blonde girl has taken her place. I’m killing time at the bar, mildly flirting with her as she works, when I-Tee’s voice comes through the speaker. “They did an inquiry into you when they accessed your account. They’re slick. I made sure they got your mega rich profile. You should be set for the big table tomorrow.”

“On your right,” he continues, “where the two velvet curtains indicate the hall leading to the restrooms, footage isn’t adding up. I think there may be an entrance to the lower level somewhere back there. Looking at schematics of the ship I think that may be what we’re looking for. I need you to go to the john so I can see what’s back there. See if you can find a camera.”

Waiting until a small group heads toward the restrooms, I finish my drink and glance at the bartender. “I’ll be right back. Save my seat.”

Lagging behind, I follow the others into the narrow hall. Once they’ve all disappeared into the rooms housing the stalls, I act like I’m waiting for someone and peruse the area.

“Glance high, along the ceiling where the walls meet. I want to check corners and seams,” I-Tee instructs. Next, I run my gaze over the mural painted on the wall of Faro being played during different time periods. “Stop! That’s it. They’ve got cameras behind some of the eyeballs on the painting. Fuckers. Okay, I’m missing a feed. Gonna go find it. Be careful. These bastards are tricky. No sneaking around tonight. Check-in before placing any more cameras.”

Back at the bar, I make conversation with yet another waitress. She seems edgy, a little twitchy. I catch her looking over my shoulder. In the mirror I see a suit subtly shaking his head and glancing at another guy at the bar who’s already had too many drinks. She smiles at me, moves down the bar and flirts with the drunk. Her furtive glances and shaky hand keep my attention. She’s not comfortable.

Taking my drink, I wander around the floor, pausing occasionally to watch a game. I notice the waitress removes her apron and heads down the hall to the restrooms. A few moments later the suit approaches the drunk and they take off together in the opposite direction. I get caught in the crowd when someone wins at slots and starts a celebration dance in the aisle. I see the suit and customer enter a door but can’t get there in time to follow.

Feigning a swallow of my drink I speak. “Did you catch that?”

Kalli answers. “Yep, got it. We’ll check it. I-Tee is pretty sure there’s a hidden stair in the bathroom hall. I’m supposed to tell you to be careful. He’s found one more camera feed but thinks there’s more.”

Before the ship docks, I find an older couple and strike up a conversation then assist the feeble woman down to the dock. A black limousine is parked at the end of the pier, the driver stands beside the passenger door.

I turn to the older couple. “Do you have a ride waiting?”

“Oh no,” the woman says. We’ll just call a car. We never drink and drive. Our hotel is just a few miles away.”

“There are a lot of people waiting for rides. It could take a while. My driver is here, may I have the pleasure of giving you a lift?”

After we drop them off, I climb in front. “What the hell are you doing here Silk?”

“Playing fucking chauffeur to you. Steel and Pax are getting some bad vibes. They want you to have back up.”

“I don’t need you watching my back, but I wouldn’t mind you keeping an eye on Boots.”

“Save your complaints for the captain. Where’d you leave your vehicle? I’ll take you to it then follow you back to your place.”

“You’re not staying with me.”

“Why not? We’re bros? You afraid your girl?—"

“Don’t say it if you want to walk again.”

His laugh fills the car. “I’m in the unit next door to yours, sucker.”

“I’m not kidding. Watch over her but stay the fuck away from her. I don’t want you trying to smooth-talk her.”

He gives me a shocked glance and raises his eyebrows. “What the hell is in the water down here? First Patch, now you bite the dust?

Shaking his head he merges into traffic. “Hell, the whole fucking team must be drinking the water. Silo and I are the last two standing.”

Was that a touch of wistfulness I heard in his voice?

He drops me off at the parking garage where I left my SUV. I go home, quickly change and head out on my bike to the Sandy Sipper. The smooth bastard is already at the bar dressed like a construction worker and making light talk to my girl.

I glance over and see Pax try to hide a smile. I’ll kick both their asses when this is over.

Right now, I just need to stake my claim. Boots is mine, and I’m gonna let her know tonight.