Ricardo's POV
The Marino Tigress Casino.The sound of chips clinking, dice rolling, and voices shouting in Spanish fills my ears as I adjust my cufflinks.
I'm dressed in my finest suit. I have the envelope in my hands, the one containing the photos I've studied all damn day. Enzo. The places he stood, the games he played, the faces that were around him. Every detail has been plastered into my memory.
Beside me, Lana looks exactly how I like her; hot, dangerous, and impossible to ignore. A dress that hugs her curves, heels that make her legs look even longer, and hair cascading down her shoulders. She is a woman built to tempt and ruin men.
I grab her hand. "Come," I tell her. "Pretend like you're happy to be here."
"Oh and remember the plan. I walk, then you follow me afterwards. Copy?"
"And what if I decide to run?"
I smirk. "Ouu, I would love for you to try that."
Lana exhales sharply, knowing she has no choice. She's smart enough to know what's at stake. I move through the casino, past blackjack tables, past women in low-cut dresses draped over men with deep pockets. I lead her straight to the first place I saw Enzo in the pictures, standing by the pool table with a group of high rollers.
The moment I approach them, my eyes land on the man I was hoping to see. A man in the pictures, who looked like he was in his late forties. I didn't know his name, but I am about to find out.
I don't know how to play pool, but I don't need to. I just need a way in.
"Gentlemen," I greet.
They acknowledge me, some with nods, others with expressions I can't quite read. A few of them know who I am, I can tell, but they play dumb.
The man I'm eyeing chalks his cue, eyeing the table. "You play?"
"Not really." I slip my hands into my pockets, watching as he lines up his shot. "But I hear there's more to this game than just sinking balls."
Andre smirks. "That's what people who don't play say." He angles the cue stick, then takes his shot. The cue ball smacks into the others, sending them scattering. One ball sinks effortlessly nto the corner pocket.
I nod. "Impressive."
He shrugs. "You'll learn a thing or two when you spend enough time around us."
The men chuckle, exchanging drinks. But I'm not here to make friends. Minutes later, Lana joins us.
"Good evening, gentlemen," she purrs, making sure her cleavage is front and center as she slinks towards the table.
The man I'm eyeing and the others pause, as their eyes turn to her. Lana moves gracefully, walking around each man. Then, right on cue, I cough. That's our guy and that's our plan.
Lana stops beside the man I'm eyeing, trailing her fingers along his shoulder. He stiffens slightly, but he doesn't move away. If anything, he leans into her touch.
He chuckles as he scans her. "Who owns the chick? She knows how to make a man's dick rise within seconds."
The men burst into laughter.
"Or maybe you're just horny as fuck, Andre," one of them quips, making the others laugh even louder.
Andre, that's his name. I don't laugh. I grip the edge of the pool table, forcing myself to stay composed as Lana leans in and whispers something into Andre's ear. Whatever she says makes him grin like the devil himself, rubbing his palms together in delight.
"Apologies, amigos," Andre says in Spanish, straightening up. "I have to go."
The others shake their heads, laughing. "You serious?"
"I'll send images to your wife and kids!" one of them jokes.
Andre smirks. "My wife will learn to accept who I fucking am!"
I clench my jaw as he turns to leave with Lana. That's enough. I glance at one of the men, forcing myself to keep my voice neutral. "Where are they headed?"
The man takes a sip of his drink. "Private room, maybe. Andre likes to get his dick wet. Rough and violent, that bastard."
That's all I need to hear. I turn, walking away from the table. There's no way in hell I'm letting that bastard touch Lana.
Lana's POV
I saunter into the private room, with my hips swaying seductively. I turn to face him, taking in his appearance. His eyes are dark, he lost his jawline to face fat, and his body is skinny fat. I can see the desire in his eyes, the lust, and it makes me feel powerful.
I run my fingers through my hair. My tight dress accentuates my breasts and my ass and I can see Andre's eyes roaming over my body. I move closer to him, I can feel his breath on my skin and his dick hardening in his pants. I reach out to touch his chest. "Oh papi…" I moan.
He grins at me. "You're a beautiful woman." He leans in, then his lips brush against my ear. "But I'm not interested in games."
I pull back with wide eyes. "Games?" I ask with feigned innocence.
He nods. "I know what you're doing. You're trying to seduce me. But I'm not interested in playing your little game."
I swallow hard, my heart begins to pound. I am afraid, but I push it down. I need to stay in control, I need to stay calm. "I don't know what you're talking about," I say.
He grins at me with gleaming eyes. "Sure you don't," he says in a mocking tone. "But it doesn't matter. I'm done playing games. I want you. I want to fuck you."
Andre walks back to the door, locks it behind him and turns to me. "I'm done with this bullshit."
I gasp, I don't want that. But before I can react, his hands grip my waist, and he slams me against the wall. No. This isn't how it's supposed to go.
I press my hands against his chest, trying to push him back, but he doesn't budge. His breath is hot against my neck, and I can feel how very impatient he is.
I force a nervous laugh. "Come on, baby, what's the rush?" I try to sound sultry, in control. "We haven't even had a drink yet."
His hands slide lower. "I don't like foreplay," he says. "I'm hard. And I need to handle you the way I want."
I try to twist away, but he pins me tighter. I'm losing control. "I—" I try to speak. "I don't want this."
Andre lets out a cruel chuckle. "Well, too late for that. When a man's throbbing hard you don't tell him to stop."
I struggle against him. "Let me go," I cry desperately. "Please, let me go."
He grins at me. "Not a chance. You came to me, you seduced me. Now I'm going to fuck you." He reaches down and starts to unfasten his belt.
My fear is now intense. I can't let this happen, I can't let him take me like this. I need to get away, I need to escape. "Ricardo!" I scream, my voice is high pitched and desperate. "Ricardo, help me!"
Andre is stunned. "What the fuck?" he growls in a low voice.
I don't stop, I keep on yelling and screaming my lungs out for Ricardo. So, he grips me harder, shaking me. "Whatchu screaming for? Puta!"
Tears fill my eyes as I struggle. "I don't want you in me!"
His breath is ragged and full of fury. "Stay put bitch!"
I thrash against him. "Ricardo!" I scream again.
"Lana!"
That's Ricardo! My heart nearly bursts with joy at the sound of Ricardo's voice.
"Ricardo!" I scream again.
Andre's grip tightens, his brain is struggling to catch up with the situation because he's not thinking anymore. He's just a beast running on primal instinct.
And then I hear it again, the sound of Ricardo's voice. It is now closer. "Lana!" he yells. "Lana, I'm coming!"
Andre yanks me back, as his hands fumble to strip me naked. Then, the door rattles incessantly. It has to be Ricardo, so I yell. "The doors locked!"
Andre curses, pulling me away from the wall. "Who the fuck—?"
He realizes I've done something he doesn't like, and suddenly, I see a shift in his posture. He's not just angry anymore. He's pissed.
"What the fuck have you done?" he snarls, shoving me back.
My breath is shaky, but I don't look away from him. I can't show fear. Andre's hand moves to his pocket and I see metal. I slowly realize that he's reaching for his gun. Then,
Bang!
The door swings open as Ricardo shoots the lock off. And then he's there, standing in the doorway, with his gun aimed directly at Andre's head.
"Drop it," Ricardo orders lethally.
Andre scoffs. He glances at me, then at Ricardo. He is defeated. Slowly, he lifts his hands in the air as his gun clatters to the floor.
"Alright alright. You got me, Ricardo Borrelli."