Chapter Ten
Zach sat at the blackjack table and smiled at the redhead tucked against his side. He won another hand, collected his chips and slid one into the top of the redhead’s tight blue dress. “Go get us a round of drinks, sweetie.”
She gave him a practiced smile, turned and headed for the bar, working that killer dress of hers and those heels. He’d have to be dead not to look, but what he really wanted was to see Lucy in a dress like that.
Glancing over to the door, Zach saw Lucy come in—baggy jeans and her work shirt flapping—and head for the back office. She kept her stare locked in front of her. He played another round, heart thudding—almost time. Lucy came out of Martino’s office, her face pale. Zach threw in his hand, scooped up his chips and headed after her.
He caught up with her at the door. “Hey, Lucy!”
She turned and lifted her chin. Arms folded she glanced at him. “Zach Collins. What do you want?”
“So is this how you spend the money I pay you?”
She propped a fist on her hip. “That’s none of your business.”
He grabbed for her arm and she jerked away. From the corner of his eye, he could see the redhead hovering behind him, two martini glasses in her hands.
“What do I have to do to get you to keep your distance? I don’t like you touching me. And I don‘t want you.”
The words came out like a slap and for an instant Zach stepped back—hell, he almost believed it. He swallowed hard. Turning away, he grabbed one of the martinis from the redhead and lifted the glass. “Here’s to you Lucy Ennis. May you get what you deserve someday!”
She grabbed the other drink from the redhead and threw it at Zach’s face. He dodged just in time and the redhead got the martini down the front of her dress. She let out a shrill screech and froze, mouth working like a fish.
Glancing back, Zach saw Lucy storming out of the casino, pushing past the guards at the door.
Just as well, Zach thought. The two burly men headed toward the scene he and Lucy had just enacted didn’t look happy. He handed the redhead a handkerchief, and said, voice loud, “What’s a guy have to do to get a little respect around here—and some real action!”
The thick-necked guys in dark suits came up to him. The man on the left leaned closer. “Mr. Martino would like a word with you.”
The redhead was still quivering, but trying to pat herself dry. Now she froze. Zach smiled. “Who?”
The guy jerked a thumb to the back office. “He runs the place.”
“Good. Now we’re talking.” Giving the redhead a pat on the butt, Zach smiled. He handed her five hundred in chips. “Keep my seat warm, sweetie. And see if you can dry off.”
Tugging his Stetson down, Zach followed the hired muscle. He’d already sized up the rest of the place. These two had to be bodyguards, the rest all looked like rented security. Martino didn’t have a large operation. No wonder he’d put the squeeze on Lucy. You always needed cash to expand, and he had already figured out that Martino was only hired management here. Possibly skimming, and definitely looking for the funds to open his own place.
He followed the suits down a long hallway with dark paneling and prints of Indian dancers to a set of large double doors. Thick carpeting hushed their steps. One of the suits opened the door, the other positioned himself with his back to the doors. Zach stepped inside.
Martino looked up from a large ornate, oak desk. To the right a bank of monitors flashed different views of the casino. Good. Martino had had a great view of the argument with Lucy.
Coming around, Martino gestured to one of the two leather armchairs in front of his desk. He perched on the edge of the desk and smoothed his suit. Zach didn’t miss the budge underneath the suit, or how it was cut to allow a handgun to be carried. “Mr. Collins. I do like to meet with our exclusive Player’s Club members, but we haven’t had that pleasure yet.”
Zach sat in the chair, crossed one boot over the other and glanced around. “Nice place you run. Don’t usually go to many of the Indian casinos—play’s not high enough. But you seem to let the riff-raff in here.”
Martino’s mouth tightened. “I’m sorry that you...you had an altercation with...”
“Lucy dammed Ennis. Girl works for me. Didn’t know she had a mouth on her when I took her on. Thought she’d be good for a roll in the hay, but she’s a ball breaker, that one. How the hell do you know her?”
Mouth thinning, Martino stared at Zach. “And just why do you have taken an interest in her?”
“Like I said—she works for me.” Zach leaned forward. “Now th
at friend of her—that Charlie. That’s the real reason to want to get to know Lucy Ennis.”
Martino blinked. “I’m afraid I don’t...?”
“You got anything to drink around here?” Zach pushed his hat back. “A fellow gets thirsty talking so much.”