Page 49 of Mechanic

Rhodee sits, her posture stiff. The easy relationship that we had is now strained. My temper got the better of me when I realized she knew that Toni and Antonia were one in the same person and never corrected my assumption about Toni being male. I owe her an apology, but my feelings about Antonia are just too raw to do it yet.

“From what I overheard, someone wants the Poker Room? And they want Antonia? When?”

“Next Saturday night,” Rhodee says politely, but not elaborating.

“That’s fine,” I say in return, never wanting to turn down a big game. “Please add this to my calendar. Also, catering needs to know along with bar service. Can I assume you already have Antonia’s schedule updated?”

“Yes,” she says, keeping her gaze on the notes in front of her.

“Alright, it sounds like you have everything under control. Is there anything else?”

“Yes, Mr. Sereno,” Rhodee replies, still refusing to make eye contact. “The Vegas transfers are all here and settled in at the hotel. I emailed you the current room count for the hotel. I know that you had availability concerns with opening day approaching for the baseball team.”

“Great, thank you,” I tell her, already pulling up my email.

My eyes trail Rhodee as she leaves my office without another word. When she closes the door behind her, my body sags into the chair. I just want everything to get back to the way it was before that damn poker game.

Part of me is wrecked at the betrayal I feel after just a short period of time. It seems like a lie of omission. Why didn’t she tell me she worked here? Why didn’t she tell me that Shawna is her best friend? It all seems like a betrayal. Trying to figure out why I feel this way is part of my problem. My only thoughts are the women who have done a Jekyll/Hyde on me as soon as they learned about my wealth. I really thought that Antonia was different. I can’t fathom how hurt I would feel if I learned the truth after months of being with Antonia.

Chapter 28

Antonia

Not one to easily admit defeat, every day that I leave the casino, I contemplate leaving. Casinos are no longer a commodity confined to Las Vegas or Atlantic City. My current location and employer are a prime example.

The worst part is that it isn’t the job making me feel this way—it’s Roderick.

A man has never affected me like this before. Frankly, I haven’t gotten close enough to one to allow it either. There is just something different about him.

Stepping onto the casino floor, I push all thoughts of Roderick out of my head. I can’t afford to make a mistake. Especially if I do decide to leave the Wildfire.

Entering the table and weaving my way to the center for my assignment, the blood drains from my face at the nasty voice coming from behind me.

“Hello, Antonia. Long time no see.”

Turning around slowly, as if I am in a bad dream, I come face to face with an angry Tony DeSteffano.

He leans in to speak, just loud enough that only I can hear him.

“You can’t get away from me that easily.”

My entire body shutters. The menacing threat is clear in his voice.

“Wh-what table a-am I on?” I stutter out.

“Table thirteen,” he says, a knowing smirk on his face.

Tony chuckles at my nervousness. That table is directly across from his desk, giving him every opportunity to watch me.

Pasting a smile on my face, I do my best to ignore Tony and focus on the task at hand.

Silently, I seethe. How could Shawna not call and give me a heads up about him coming here? Roderick is aware that it was an employee who was stalking me. Although, in his defense, I don’t know that I ever gave him a name.

Day after day is more of the same.

Veiled threats from Tony.

My only reprieve is my day off or the odd shift that we don’t work together.

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