Unspoken Obsession (Casino King #4)

4. Dante

DANTE

E very time I host an event at the casino I stand by the bar and search the crowd of faces for that mysterious woman.

It's ridiculous because it's been years since the night I met her, the only time I've ever seen her - yet I can't stop myself from hoping that one day I will see her in a crowded room, and I'll just know it's her.

I swirl the ice in my glass, letting the whisky splash over it. Then I take a sip and lean against the bar, wanting the night to be over, I'm so bored. I only attend these events in the hope she will show up. When I've wasted enough time talking with people I don't care about - I leave already down that she wasn't there yet again.

Over the last three years, I've had two constants in my life: the constant search for my little sister, Dani, and the constant fantasy that one day that beautiful woman in the gold dress will just walk back into my life.

I think my obsession with her has caused me to piece things together in my mind that have nothing to do with each other.

I can't seem to stop this persistent nagging that the mysterious woman in gold is linked to my sister's disappearance.

It's foolish. My brain is blurring things together, the idea is in there, and it won't leave.

"Dante, another successful event," Lorenzo says, leaning against the bar next to me.

"I guess so," I reply with disinterest. "Another night, another event—" They're all the same.

Downing the rest of my drink I slide the empty glass onto the bar. Waving the bartender down and pointing to it. "Another."

He nods.

Turning to Lorenzo I ask, "What happened with that family that skipped town - did you find them?"

"Yes, I finished questioning the oldest brother this afternoon. He was acquainted with your sister, but they aren't the ones responsible for her disappearance. Their story checks out, he wasn't even aware she was missing."

"How can you be sure he's not lying?"

"I was very - persuasive - when I asked. Also, they are small fish in a big pond. They don't have the resources for something like that. They're into small, petty crime. A kidnapping would be a hell of a stretch, he's on the dumb side."

I sigh. He's right. We are getting so desperate we are looking at desperate leads that are wasting our time. But I'm stuck. I'm at a dead end and I won't give up.

"Why did they skip town then?" I ask, my eyes narrowed.

"Gambling debts they couldn't pay - the father owed a fuck-ton of money to Antonio Musetti."

"Fuck. That is not a man you want to be indebted to." He collects bodies when people run out of money.

"I'd sell my left ball before I borrowed money from a man like Musetti. And I wouldn't want to owe him any favors either." There are men in this city that I never want to associate with.

Antonio Musetti owns the second-largest casino in Las Vegas. His is on par with mine; his business is expanding as vigorously as mine. I am not allied with the man, nor am I enemies. We've got an unspoken respect, a silent agreement to stay the fuck away from each other. From what I have heard - he is one of those people I wouldn't want to be in bed with, anyway.

But as long as he stays on his side of the line, and I stay on mine - we've got no problems. It is obvious to both of us that there would be chaos if we interfered with one another. It wouldn't be worth the loss on either side. And we are both too smart for that.

Over the years, a few leads point in his direction when Dani's disappearance comes up. But until it's something concrete and more than rumors and gossip - I will not pursue those leads. I suspect that many of Antonio's adversaries would be thrilled if I were to believe that he is at fault - and to start a full-scale assault. It would wipe out half of my empire and more than half of his - and the worms would come from the woodwork to eat off our carcasses.

No.

If someone brings me tangible evidence that Antonio Musetti was involved - I will go after him. Until then, I will keep stay in my lane, and keep searching.

Business is booming. In fact - it's better than good. It's fucking incredible.

Over the last few years, I've purchased three additional casinos. Smaller than the River - but still very lucrative.

I've expanded my empire to impossible heights. With each expansion, I add new partnerships and collect enemies too. There's always a jealous rival in the wings waiting to take his shot.

Recent issues in the underground tunnels are getting out of hand.

We've got video footage of trespassers sneaking in and out. Two of my guards were gunned down last week, and it has forced me to double up on security at every entry and exit point. I don't understand why it has been so difficult to find out who is behind this. What started as a small, pesky annoyance, has now become a serious problem that needs urgent attention.

Despite the security breach below, I'm rolling in money. It still hasn't helped me find my sister - or the mysterious beauty who haunts my dreams.

Life is cruel.

I have money, success, power and yet there is a hole inside me. An empty, numbness that nothing can fill.

I am devoid of emotion, alone. I have no one to share all this success with. And until I find out what happened to Dani, none of it will matter. I will still be a failure.

The fantasy that keeps me alive and pushing and able to do anything at all - is the memory of that little fox -- how she made my entire body pulse with life, a blinding light, electricity in my veins. I want that again. I need it.

And the hope that it might happen again is what keeps me going.

"I'm leaving. I'm sure everyone is drunk enough not to notice."

Lorenzo chuckles. "These idiots wouldn't notice a fire alarm if it went off now. They are all either high or smashed; most of them don't even know where they are. Besides, they call you 'The Shadow' for a reason."

"Yeah, funny, but I'm sure sneaking out of a party is not the reason." I chuckle. "I want to get an early session in at the gym tomorrow. So, are we still on for our meeting to discuss the figures?"

"Yes, sir. Do you want me to drive you?"

"No, I'll stay here tonight. No point in leaving the city when I want to be back here so early."

Lorenzo lives in the casino hotel. I gave him a residential suite. He's earned it.

I live in the casino penthouse; most nights that is where I stay, but I own a mansion outside of the city limits. It's my sanctuary for when I need an escape from this life -- a little time away from the bullshit.

There hasn't been much escape recently.

I nod a goodnight to Lorenzo and leave him standing at the bar to entertain the pretty girl who is desperate to talk to him.

No woman has caught my eye since that night. They're all bland, and uninteresting, and never get my heart racing.

I end up comparing them to her, and not a single one has stood a chance.

Not one has come along and sparked the same fire she ignited in me.

What is it about her that has me so obsessed?

After all these years I've got to wonder if I've just built the idea of her up in my head, and one day when I find her, she is just going to be an ordinary girl.

I laugh to myself as I climb into the elevator.

Not a fucking chance.

There was nothing ordinary about her.

The elevator carries me up to the penthouse suite while I stare at my reflection in the mirrored walls.

I run my hand across the shadow of stubble on my jaw.

Would she recognize me if she saw me now, without that mask?

I press my thumb against the fingerprint reader and my door clicks open.

It smells of coffee and the scent of fresh laundry. I guess they changed the bedding just before I got back.

I'm tired, so I go straight to my bedroom, peeling the layers of my clothing off as I go. Tossing the shirt over the back of the chair and kicking my shoes off next to the bed. I flop backward, lying naked, letting the cool air-conditioned air touch my skin.

If I knew she would haunt me for years - I would've gone slower that night, taken my time with her, and savored every second I had her in my hands.

I should've followed her or made her tell me her name.

It seems too impossible that she just disappeared like she was never real, to begin with.