Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 145803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 729(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 486(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 729(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 486(@300wpm)
“Do you know why someone would want Mr. Wallin dead? That’s the real reason, right? And why don’t they just shoot him? Have a sniper kill him or something?”
“Daniel Wallin is a multibillionaire, Vienna. This casino is his baby. He loves it and he nurtures it. If he comes up with an idea, that idea makes money for the casino every time. Not a little money; massive amounts of money. If he sits down to play cards with the celebrity players, it’s gold time for the casino. He doesn’t do it often, but if he does, you can bet it’s televised and millions watch. He wins, Vienna. Every single time. He’s the real deal. He doesn’t cheat. He knows what he’s doing. He owns seventy-five percent of the casino, which is unheard of these days. Most casinos are owned by the same corporations.”
A knock on the door announced the food had arrived. Zale was gone almost before she could blink. “I don’t know what I’m getting myself into,” she murmured aloud as she went to the door.
She placed the cart of food between the cuddle chairs rather than using the formal dining table. She found she needed the comfort of the chairs. The chairs and the sheets and duvet were the things she would miss most about her stay.
Zale wrapped his palm around the nape of her neck. “I know the business I’m in can be scary, Vienna, but I’m trained and I don’t take chances. You’re good at what you do, and you have to trust that I’m good at what I do, just as you are.”
She wanted to tell him it wasn’t just about what he did—it was about who he was. She probably didn’t have to tell him. He most likely was afraid that was exactly what she feared most—that she couldn’t love him the way he was.
“You were telling me why someone might want to kill Wallin.” Deliberately, she took the lids from the chowder bowls to get them started. “They did bring fresh garlic bread.”
“I told you they would.” He flashed a faint grin. This one, she noted, didn’t quite reach his eyes. “If he dies, his shares might very well go to the rest of those investors. I have no idea how the corporation was set up, but that’s a hell of a motive. He’s been opposed to the idea of building a second casino, but his partners want one.”
“They’d kill him over that?”
“The casino rakes in billions, Vienna.”
“You just pointed out that’s because of him.”
“His start-up and his ideas, yes, but that doesn’t mean the success of the hotel won’t continue for years to come. If he’s opposing them, the investors may very well have decided to get rid of him in a permanent way. It isn’t unheard of.”
“People die all the time.”
“Wallin is very protected. After the first couple of tries, he’s been completely locked down, impossible to get to. He’s unaware, and so is his security, but my boss has sent extra personnel to keep him safe. They aren’t going to get to him.”
“Zale, you know there are at least two members of his security staff involved in trying to kill him.”
He nodded. “I know who they are. I want their boss.”
A chill went down her spine hearing his tone. She looked up and met his eyes. It was impossible not to see him—her Zale.
“I’m staying with you tonight. Rainier’s locked in tight.”
“Security has the key to your room. They could make a try for you both.”
He shook his head. “We’re prepared for that move.” His dark eyes drifted over her, giving her chills in a completely different way. “I’m staying.”
She didn’t have any objections.
CHAPTER SIX
The mood of the crowd was electric as the four took their places at the final table. It could have been stifling with so many people pressed around the low cordons, but the crowd was a distance away. Still, even though the room was air-conditioned and well ventilated, when Vienna first walked in, she felt the walls closing in on her, shrinking, as if they were collapsing under the weight of so many people.
Her lungs burned. There was no oxygen, the bystanders sucking all the air out of the room with their cheering and calling out. The voices faded into the distance as her heart accelerated, and the pressure in her chest increased until it was an alarming vise-like pain. Sweat beaded on her forehead. She choked. Tried to clear her throat. Coughed.
Vienna forced her mind to work through the fog of panic. She inhaled, taking air into her lungs, and exhaled, not looking at anyone but pushing the clouds out of her mind. What was happening? She didn’t have panic attacks. Her mother did. She was familiar with the symptoms because she’d grown up seeing them on a regular basis. What would cause her to suddenly experience such a thing?