Jack of Spades (Vegas Underground 2)

An uneasy sensation twisted through my belly because I could picture it all too easily. Stefano with an arm around a bimbo on each side. Stefano getting his dick sucked by one while he slapped the other’s ass.

But no. He was anything but excited about this bachelor party. And a man with his looks and personality wouldn’t ever have to pay for sex.

Nico was right, though. Stefano was pissed when he found out I’m dealing for tonight. Even now, as he walks briskly around, barking orders and getting things settled, I can see he’s uptight. He comes off as angry with me, but I’m trying not to take it personally.

I know how it is with family.

I’m never Miss Sunshine around my dad. Or my mom for that matter, even though I love her. Maybe I resent her for being a doormat to my dad—for marrying him in the first place. I don’t know what it is, but she drives me freaking bonkers, too.

The door bursts open and Nico comes in first, followed by a stream of Italian men—dozens of them. Most look older than Nico and Stefano, but there are some younger guys, too. They’ve been drinking already. Maybe they started at a bar downstairs.

“Stefano, where are the girls?” a guy about ten years older than Nico demands. He pronounces Stefano’s name with an Italian accent, so it’s STAY-fano instead of STEH-fano.

“Ten minutes, Junior,” Stefano calls back, his affable smile in place, even though I can tell it’s fake. He cranks up the music, lowers the lights and flicks his gaze to me. He’s been almost curt all evening, and now he scowls.

I give him a what? shrug and he shakes his head.

Two hours later, the party is totally out of hand. Topless girls in nothing more than G-strings straddle laps on the sofas and chairs. One of them got fucked right in front of the entire group.

“You put your dick in a girl, you’re paying extra,” Stefano shouted to raucous laughter. “I’m only paying for the strip tease.”

Sondra will be relieved to know Nico hasn’t even looked at a girl. She’s not the jealous type, but she has a history with men who cheat, and then Nico failed to mention he had a marriage contract to another woman when they started dating, so it’s a sore spot.

The visitors are all having a grand old time. The guys I recognize from the casino—the ones who live here in Vegas—they’re unimpressed by the whole affair. They all appear to be working tonight rather than enjoying the event.

Nico’s big bodyguard, Tony, stands at attention the door, stepping up to interfere every time a guy gets too rough or handsy with a girl. I notice nobody gives him any shit back. Of course, he is monster huge. Considering how protective he is of the women, I’m guessing he’s actually a big softy. I’ve talked to him a couple times and he seemed like a stand-up guy.

I’ve been dealing for two hours straight and I’m ready for a break, but I don’t think anyone’s going to relieve me soon.

The guy at my right gets louder and handsier with each new drink, each passing moment.

“Hit me again, beautiful,” he slurs, and palms my ass. His groping is nothing new and I step back out of his reach. This time, though, he gets aggressive and lunges forward to slap my ass. “Don’t move away when I’m talking to you.”

I’m annoyed but not too worried. All I have to do is get Tony’s attention if the problem continues.

Fortunately, Nico appears behind the guy and grabs his shoulder. “Hey, hands off this one; she’s not a stripper.”

“Aw, come on. She’s perfect!” The jackass stands up and comes at me, grabbing both my breasts.

Nico pulls back on the guy’s collar, but Stefano arrives like a tornado, jerking the guy back and punching him with a wicked right hook.

I dodge his toppling body and he crashes into my side of the table.

“Whoa, whoa.” Nico throws an arm around Stefano’s chest and yanks him back. “Take it easy.” Stefano’s expression is a dark storm. His black gaze is laser-focused on my groper. He is nowhere near finished.

“Stefano!” I snap, hoping to bring him back.

He continues to fight for his freedom.

“Enough!” Nico counsels. “He didn’t know she belongs to you. Now he knows. Take a fucking breath.”

Belongs to you. That’s the way these guys think. Like a woman is a piece of property.

“This is your girl?” the guy sneers, pointing from me to Stefano. “Why in the hell would you have her as entertainment at a fucking bachelor party? She’s a whore?”

Stefano goes crazy again and Nico releases him. Stefano decks the guy, knocking him into the table again, then he holds his shirt and punches his jaw again. I swear Nico takes his time before he and Tony pull him off.