Page 15 of Maximum Bet

The man pauses, then sighs. “Is there anything else I should know?”

I debate. The rhythmic tapping of my pen on my wooden desk gives a soundtrack to the silence.

“Yes,” I say, drawing out the word. “We have a video that could cause Santos a lot of trouble.”

“Oh?” My contact perks up. “What’s on the video?”

I hesitate. “That I’m not ready to tell.”

“Okay,” he drawls. “Might I be able to see this video at some point?”

“I don’t know. To be honest, I’ve promised it to my cousin.”

“Then why tell me about it?” He’s frustrated. I don’t care. I’m giving him more than I should—more than I would give anyone else.

“So you know. In case we get to the point where it makes more sense for you to take possession of it.”

“Does this video contain the kind of evidence that could cause Santos problems?”

My lips curl into a smirk. “Fuck, yes.”

“All right.” The man hums. I hear the faint sound of typing. “I’ll start looking into the Caribbean. I’ll contact you again soon.”

“Looking forward to it.” And I am, because I have a feeling the next time we speak won’t be under these kinds of circumstances.

“Stay safe, Dominic.”

“You, too.”

I end the call and return to the window, second-guessing the deal I’ve made with the devil. If word gets out that information is leaking from me, my family will be caught in a war of retaliation. But I’m a selfish prick, and for my own good, I won’t cut contact. It’s either the stupidest or smartest decision I’ve ever made. Hopefully, I never have to find out which.

Chapter 7

Cassandra

“Yes, Dad. I’m safe.” I roll my eyes, not for the first time since I answered the phone. I’m in the back seat of Dominic’s sleek, black Escalade, being chauffeured to my shopping date with Sadie. Sam, Dominic’s driver, is behind the wheel, while my new bodyguard, Adam, takes the passenger seat. “You know I’m not allowed to go anywhere in this city alone.”

My father grunts. He’ll never be thrilled that I have to live my life with a constant security detail. Still, after working with Dominic to save my life, he’s willing to acquiesce that my fiancé is the one other man on this planet willing to go to great lengths to protect me.

“All right, Cas. You have fun with Sadie, and tell her I said ‘Hello.’”

“I will.” My tone softens as my father’s fondness for my friend breaks through. He believes Sadie is a good influence on me, despite her getting knocked up by a Mafia associate. “I love you, Dad. Stay safe.”

“Always. Love you, too.”

I drop my phone to my lap and end the call. My father is trying, and that’s all I can ask. I can’t imagine it’s easy to be a high-ranking federal agent with a daughter who’s about to marry one of the country’s most influential organized crime leaders.

“Miss Bain,” Sam says, steering us in front of an upscale shopping plaza halfway to the city’s suburbs. “Text me when you’re ready to go, and I’ll meet you back here.”

“Got it. Thank you, Sam.”

I wait as Adam jumps from the car and swings my door open. He offers me his hand before I gingerly step from the vehicle.

“Where to first?” he asks, sunglasses perched on his Roman nose. Adam is an associate whom Dominic pulled from one of his father’s casinos. His tan skin and dark chocolate hair hint at his Sicilian background. A Romano associate by lineage, he’s one of the most trustworthy men in the organization, exactly who Dominic wanted for my protection detail.

“I’m supposed to meet Sadie by the water fountain,” I say, leading the way.

Adam falls in line at my side. He’s out of place in his navy suit and gray tie. Women in sundresses and men in casual slacks and polos glance our way. I can’t say I’m not part of the reason for the attention. In my yellow Prada dress, Louis Vuitton purse, and Jimmy Choo wedges, I look every bit the Mafia queen I’ve become.