Read Online Double Blind by Vanessa Waltz - Free Book Online

handsome, and quite charismatic. I can’t help but smile back.
    “How are you doing this evening?”
    “Pretty well. You?”
    “Oh, I’m excellent.” He beams at me.
    I get the feeling that he’s a happy-go-lucky guy. God, I already feel guilty.
    “Let me show you where you’ll be dealing.”
    He shows me to a deserted table and I automatically take my place behind it. Carmine sits across from me and gives me a sad little smile.
    He leans in secretively. “Listen, I know why you’re here. Tony told me everything.”
    I seriously doubt that.
    “You’re not here by choice, but that doesn’t mean that working for me has to be unbearable. I’m a pretty good boss to work for. I’m not gonna give you a hard time so long as you do your job. Okay?”
    My lips somehow pull into a smile as pressure builds in my head. He’s nice. My insides harden when I think of Vince and his mother. I’ll do anything to protect them. Even if it means I need to sacrifice someone else.
    How far I’ve fallen.
    “Sounds good, Carmine.”
    His fingers smooth over the felt. “You’ll be paid an hourly rate, plus any tips you get from customers. I take fifteen percent of your tips, and you’ll get overtime pay during holidays. The dealer always hits on a soft seventeen. Gives the house a slight advantage.”
    My eyebrows rise. Fifteen percent? That’s a lot better than I thought it would be. His tanned face breaks into another smile and I try to gauge him through his hooded eyes. Does he like me? I decide that I should take it slow. I’m in no hurry to ‘get close’ to this man who I feel nothing for, but I think he would find it suspicious if a recently engaged woman started hitting on him.
    “Well, I see customers coming in. Gotta go.”
    He gives me a roguish wink and gets up from his seat to greet the new guests. I plaster on a fake smile as they surround my table for Blackjack. Carmine stands nearby, his eagle-like eyes watching me out of the corner of my eye.
    I wonder if the men at my table are connected somehow, or if they’re just wealthy businessmen flying into New York who just want to blow off some steam. Two forty-ish men dressed in slacks join my table with a giant box of chips. Three other join, immediately engaging me in small talk.
    The cards fly out of my hands. I love the suspense—the energy. I can feel it building in my body, healing me. All of my worries fade away, and all I focus on are the tiny printed spades and hearts.
    It’s a casino, so there are several decks in the shoe. It’s much harder to count cards, but I do it anyway to amuse myself. The chips fly towards me, and I pocket any tips I receive. People at the table make small talk with each other, and their bets get a little more extravagant as cocktail waitresses bring them free drinks. I watch as Carmine walks around each table, making sure each guest is having a good time, handling any issues or complaints that come up. I’m trying to learn as much as I can about him.
    Then there’s movement at the door and I look up.
    Oh, shit.
    Vincent.
    My heart pounds hard against my ribs when I recognize him, a mixture of relief and fear overwhelming me. It’s only been one day, but I already miss him. I wonder how he’s doing.
    He’s standing there, as bold as brass, looking at me like he’d quite like to strangle me or bend me over the poker table to fuck me. Who knows.
    The last thing I need is Vincent causing a scene at my new job, but his head finally turns away from me towards Carmine, who heads him off.
    Fuck.
    They talk to one another in hushed tones. I can’t conceal how awkward this is, and I’m completely distracted by his presence. So much so that one of the players snaps at me.
    “Come on, we’re waiting here.”
    I smile painfully and return to the game. My eyes still flick towards them, and I think I see Vince’s eyes glancing back towards me just as frequently. Suddenly, a cocktail waitress slides up next to him. She’s dressed