Chapter 142Cephus’ POVWhen I go to the casino, time stops, people freeze, and the animation fades, everything becomes a muted scene with no life in it.I used to get all the eyes in the room when I walked in.I get them now, too, but not before they take her in first.Katie has no idea what’s going on.Her cheeks are flushed. Maybe it’s from the sun today, or maybe it’s from walking next to me.Her hair and eyes steal the show.I’ve never seen someone more magnetic in my life, and I’ve seen women covered with glitter, clad in sequined costumes, wearing feathers and tiaras.I run the kind of business where magnetism is instrumental in making money.People like to be distracted, see magnificent things, and fully experience them.That’s what makes this even more fascinating.The way she draws people’s eyes to herself without even knowing is astounding.Even I’m distracted by her dress.Not only that.I couldn’t think straight the entire day.The image of her almost naked in that lounge
Chapter 143Cephus’ POVI’m doing my due diligence to prevent it, and then I get this kind of shit?Why?I’m paying the right people not to have FBI agents at my door.Vito looks at me without answering.“I can’t get in touch with my people right now. I don’t know who’s ratted us out or why.”Yes, it could be the FBI agents who are on my payroll. Maybe they have become susceptible to blackmail.Or maybe there is a new player in town, overbidding me. Offering more.This is not about the money, after all. I have money. I’ve already given them too damn much, but I could up that sum.This is about power.“That Boris guy…” Vito says, his voice trailing off as he unbuttons his jacket and slides into an armchair.“Yeah… I know.” I mutter, reaching inside the drawer and going for my pack of cigarettes.I retrieved one and put it between my lips.Fire goes through my veins, and I’m so tense I could easily break someone’s neck.I crash into my seat and light my cigarette.“I knew it was all a d
Chapter 144Cephus’ POVShe looks normal, although there’s nothing normal about her roaming around.And she knows that.I look at the time stamp.This happened a few moments ago.“She’s gone,” I say, pushing up and yanking my suit jacket off the back of my chair before putting it on.“Where are you going?” Vito asks.“I’m going after her.”“Where?”“I don’t know,” I say, shrugging and sliding my pack of cigarettes into my pocket.I fucking hate this shit.I take it out and push it back into the drawer.They look at me when I lift my gaze.“I don’t need you.”“Are you serious, Boss?”“Yes. I fucking am. There is so much going on right now that me going after that fucking girl matters to no one.”With that, they stay behind while I head straight to my suite.* * *First, I check her room.There are things in my head. Things I couldn’t say out loud.So, I want to make sure I was right about her and didn’t lose my touch.I walk in and make a beeline for her room without as much as glancin
Chapter 145Katie's POVA lot is happening around me.And I mean a lot.There are so many people, voices, lights, and sounds.The crowd is having a good time while I try not to stumble and make a fool of myself.I pay attention to how I walk, sit, and speak.Well, I don’t speak much. I mostly take in the world swirling around me.It’s strange and intense at times as everyone seems to be a bad joke away from shifting from joyful exhilaration to having a nasty argument.This world is theatrical and volatile, yet Cephus doesn’t seem to be like that.He observes everything with undisguised thoughtfulness, reading the clues and participating in the conversations, yet still keeping his cool and being reserved.I think he’s seeing what I’m seeing.And maybe I’m learning from him to just sit and listen and, more importantly, read the room.I furtively glance at him.His eyes move around the room, but all I see is his magnetism. Pure testosterone flows through his blood, fueling his power over
Chapter 146Katie's POVA sigh leaves my chest, and my eyes fly to the window.I wish I could go outside––have some fresh air.I push my chair back and walk to the wall of windows.Lights play outside in a magical dance of perdition. I slide the glass doors open and walk onto the terrace.The evening air gives me a chill, and it’s cooler than I expected. My eyes move to the world outside, the cars and people on the sidewalks.I could be right there right now. Getting lost in that crowd and forgetting that I can’t get any sleep.What if I go down there?The idea sounds crazy, especially since I have no business being there. But… I would be outside only for a few minutes.Half an hour, maybe.I spin around and go straight to my room, where I remove my necklace and deposit it in the drawer before picking up a jacket from the closet.The problem is… How do I get out?I’m sure I can’t use the elevator without running into his bodyguards.I’ll find a way.I collect my purse and quietly snea
Chapter 147Katie's POVThe bright world of Las Vegas ends where the desert begins.If you turn your back to the city and just look into the night, your whole life has a different feel.You forget about the angst of living and ugly people making your life unlivable at times.I don’t remember a time in my life when I felt so alone.I miss my home, and I miss Tina and Jen. I even miss my old job with its grueling hours and rowdy crowds.I wish I could go back to that without facing my father's wrath, but that’s not possible.And he is no longer possible.He has no place in our lives.I stare at the starry sky, wishing so many things for myself and Tina, most of which seem impossible.And then I look back at the brightly lit city, and it’s like staring at my destiny.And I’m not sure I want to go back, but on the other hand, I know I can’t fight it.So I go.After spending a few more moments enjoying the view, I make the trip back.I arrive at the hotel around midnight and park my car in
Chapter 148Katie's POVWithout her, I have nothing. In the same way, I have nothing without you if you get in trouble. I can’t stop you from doing what you need to do if that’s the best course of action for you… And I’ve already told you I’d do anything for you and wouldn’t mind if your face was the last thing I saw if we’d gotten to that. But if you don’t need to do any of that… To end me… Then you have to let me go.”His eyes glint with quiet determination before I lean to him and place a soft kiss on his lips.He doesn’t move like he’s carved in stone, and I break away from him this time without him stopping me.I’ve never kissed a man like him before. I’ve never kissed a man.They kissed me, and they were boys.My ex included.As I pull away from him, he doesn’t move, yet the heat of his body curls around me as if wanting to make me stay.His eyes burn like his skin, fueled by his turmoil.“I’m going to sleep,” I say. “It’s been an eventful evening.”I pull away from him for goo
Chapter 149Cephus’ POVKatie has slept the whole afternoon, and though I want to wake her, every time I walk into the room to do it, I can’t. She looks so at peace in bed, and I know if I wake her, the peacefulness that resides within her now will be gone.Instead, I sit in the chair across from the bed and watch her delicate body. I appreciate her plump lips, the slope of her back, and the way her mouth parts as she allows a sigh to escape her lips as she sleeps.She is magnificent, and she is mine. No longer able to hold back, I slip back into bed beside her. I need her to wake up. I need to talk to her, tell her how much her life has changed. The moment she saved my life is the moment she became a part of this war.“Piccolo…” I whisper in her ear. She doesn’t move, and for a moment, I think she doesn’t hear me. That is until my eyes sweep across her face. Her big, brown, doe eyes are wide open, peering up at me.“What time is it?” she asks, her voice full of sleep. I smile at the