Page 20 of Playing with Trouble

“It’s not negotiable,” Jerry said sternly.“Not only are we not taking any chances with your safety, but for corporate it’s also a liability issue if a known risk isn’t properly mitigated and then something happens to you.You don’t have to like it.You just have to deal with it.”

He opened the door to his office and gestured me inside.I walked past him, mouth opening to issue an argument, but the words died in my throat and I stopped dead in my tracks, my stomach dropping like I’d just walked straight off a cliff.

Standing in my boss’ office was none other than Ford, leaning casually against the edge of Jerry’s desk, arms crossed over his broad chest, every line of his body relaxed in that infuriatingly confident way of his.I hated how heart-stoppingly gorgeous he looked in his dark gray suit, the jacket perfectly fitted to his broad shoulders and the rest of his lean body.That sinful mouth of his curved into the faintest smirk, and despite my best efforts, my pulse tripped all over itself.

Seriously?Out of all the bodyguards in Vegas, it had to behim?

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I muttered.

“Nice to see you too, Violet,” Ford drawled, his tone much too amused.

I turned back to Jerry.“I don’t need a babysitter,” I insisted.Especially not this one and definitely not him being a part of my life 24/7 for the foreseeable future.

“I’m not here to babysit you,” Ford cut in smoothly.“I’m here to keep you safe and alive.Big difference.”

“Fantastic,” I said, unable to keep the sarcasm out of my tone.“My very own shadow.Should I get you a matching dealer vest so you blend in?”

He dared to chuckle, and Jerry looked between the two of us with a little confusion.“You two know each other?”

“My coworker is engaged to her sister,” Ford explained.

“Ahh,” Jerry said, glancing at me.“Is this situation going to be an issue?”

Of course Jerry would ask that.My pride reared up immediately, every instinct screaming to sayyes, it’s going to be a huge issue, get him out of here before I throw something at his head, or tackle him to the floor and do unspeakably filthy things to him.But I wasn’t about to look like some diva employee who couldn’t play nice when my boss was doing the courtesy of keeping me safe.The last thing I needed was to sound ungrateful, or worse, like I couldn’t handle myself around Ford.If he could be professional, then so could I, right?

Besides, I wasn’t about to give Ford the satisfaction of thinking that he could rattle me so easily.

So I bit back the dozen inappropriate comments that were on the tip of my tongue, forced my tense shoulders to relax, and swallowed my pride like a jagged little pill.

“No, no problem at all,” I replied, my tone sweet enough to pass for polite, but laced with just enough bite to make Ford hear the lie underneath.

Jerry nodded once, satisfied and relieved.“Good to know there won’t be any issues.”

Outwardly, I was the picture of composure.Inwardly, though, I was a mess, a shaken cocktail of irritation, nerves, and something hotter I refused to name.Being stuck with Ford day and night wasn’t just going to test my patience, it was going to wreck my self-control.

Because sooner or later, something—me, him, or the rules we were supposed to follow—was bound to snap.And if I wasn’t careful, it wouldn’t be the threats that wrecked me…it would be Ford Perish.

CHAPTER9

Ford

Violet’s attitude should have annoyed the hell out of me, but in true Violet fashion, that fire and fight drove me crazy in all the wrong ways.Because if it had just been the two of us alone in the office, I would have been tempted to repeat what had happened at The Players Club and put her across my knees so I could spank her ass and remind her who was in charge.

But this wasn’t a BDSM scene and it sure as hell wasn’t a game.This was Violet’s life on the line and until the police proved otherwise, I had to assume she was being targeted and in danger.

The head of security, Conway, had already filled me in on the details prior to me meeting with Violet.He’d shared what information they’d been able to gather so far.Since they’d had the man’s face on the security feed, and he’d used a credit card a few times in the casino, they knew his name was Joe Johnson.He was new to town, volatile, and had already been banned from another casino for losing his temper.

Unfortunately, they hadn’t been able to find a home address for him in Vegas.His last known residence had been Chicago, and there was no employment record for him in the city, either, which made him difficult to find.Also, unfortunately, he wasn’t a priority to the police when they had more pressing issues on their hands, and there was no proof that he’d been the one to sideswipe Violet.

Conway promised to keep me updated, but for now my only job was to keep Violet safe and that was something I could do.

Violet headed out to the casino floor to start her shift at one of the poker tables, and since I’d been given clearance I was able to stay close, remaining in the pit with the gaming supervisor.

I kept my eye on Violet as she worked the table.She was good—better than good, actually.She was a natural at charming the tourists and engaging people in the game.But she also took her cues from the gamblers at the table and there were times when she remained quiet and dealt the cards while exuding silent professionalism.

It was no wonder the casino valued her.A dealer’s worth came down to trust, and Violet had that in spades.The manager on the floor had mentioned she was often requested for private games in hotel suites or the homes of high-rolling whales.The casino didn’t hand out that responsibility lightly.The dealer had to be sharp, reliable, and composed, and Violet was all that when it came to her job.

I also learned that Violet’s shifts varied.Sometimes days, sometimes evenings.Tonight her shift ended at ten pm, and while she clocked out and gathered her things from the employee room locker, I placed an order for dinner on my phone, making sure it was delivered to Violet’s place, since I’d been given her home address as part of the assignment.