Page 34 of Mob Star

“Hola, chica.”

I move over to let the guy next to me have more room at the roulette table. It was a great afternoon on the beach with the girls. I definitely ate way too much at the buffet, and I’m up a hundred dollars at this table.

“Whatcha drinking?”

I slide my plastic cup over. “Just a soda.”

I am. I slept super well, but the last few days have caught up with me. If I drink any more than the wine I had at dinner and the couple of cocktails from earlier, I’ll fall asleep where I sit. I already have a strong case of heavy head. I feel like putting my head down and closing my eyes. But I also want to see if I can make back my part of the suite and the drinks I bought today. That’ll make it a good night.

“That’s boring. Let me get you something better.”

“No thanks. I don’t drink.”

“That’s not true. I saw you out at the pool today. Looked like a couple Blue Hawaiians went down easy.”

The way he looks at me tells me he means something entirely different. Gross.

He’s not bad looking or even that much older than me, but he’s skeezy the way he’s coming onto me. I look at Terry, who’s sitting across from me. She’s trying not to laugh. I feel like sending him over to her. I feel like sticking my tongue out at her.

“I’m done for tonight. Thanks though. Excuse me.”

I reach to place my bet, and his hand brushes my arm. I ignore it. But when his leg nudges mine, I pull away.

“Come on, chica.”

Why is he calling me that?

“Permítame pagarle una copa.” Let me buy you a drink.

My Spanish isn’t great, but I understand him. I ignore him. I play a few more spins, and I’m still up. I signal to Terry that I want to leave, so we gather our chips.

“¿Se van tan pronto? Vamos mami. Trae ese culito puertorriqueño apretado aquí.” Leaving so soon? Come on, mami. Bring that tight little Puerto Rican ass over here.

This isn’t the first time someone’s confused me for Puerto Rican, though it’s just as often Dominican. When he stands and tries to brush his hand against my ass, a security guard appears.

“Leave the lady alone.” The security guard’s voice is so low it could be Barry White but gravely, like Bruce Springsteen.

“Mind your own business.”

“She’s getting up to leave, and she’s already been ignoring you. Leave the lady alone.”

“She’s with me. Aren’t you, babe?”

“I’m—”

“I’m pretty sure my girlfriend is with me.”

I spin around to see Finn walking over. He appears relaxed, but there’s that energy vibrating off him that first attracted me to him when he threw Tony out the first time. I’d only followed Tony because I felt obligated to when it looked like Cormac and Seamus were going to play pinball with him.

“Bullshit, she’s your woman. Why was she leaning over me like that if she didn’t want me looking at her tits?”

“Because you were in the way, and she was polite enough not to shove you off your stool. You’re cut off. Todd, escort Mr. Juarez back to his room. Make sure he’s tucked in for the night.”

“Who the fuck are you? I’m not done playing.”

“I own this casino. You’re about to be thrown out altogether. Go to your room on your own or have my guys toss you out on your arse. You’ll find every place in Atlantic City that isn’t some roach motel is suddenly booked up.”

“You can’t do shit.”

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