Deadly Odds Read Online Free Page B

told you, he’s shitting elephants.”
    “Why is she here then and not at Dominion?”
    Don shrugged. “I guess we’ll find out.”
    “After you left my office, I went downstairs and introduced myself.”
    “You were trying to pick up the security consultant?” Don threw his hands up. “Jesus, Ross.”
    “Hey, I didn’t know. All I saw was a suspicious—and gorgeous—redhead, and you know how I feel about redheads.”
    Don laughed, but let out a long sigh. “My blood pressure can’t take this. You’re killing me, kid. Sucking the life straight from my body.”
    “Don’t blame me. It’s the ribs. Do you even know how much fat is in those things? You have to eat better or I’ll be rolling you out of here in a body bag. You’re a pain in the ass, but I like having you around.”
    Voices—one belonging to Marcia—carried in from the hallway. “Right this way, Ms. Daniels. Mr. Cooper and our vice president of security are in here.”
    Mr. Cooper? Marcia had never once called him Mr. Cooper.
    Seconds later, Marcia led the gorgeous Kate Daniels into his office. Now that she was standing, he got a better, up close look at her and the bottom half was just as good as the top. She wore a black, belted wrap dress that fell perfectly over her hips and gave her lean frame added curves. He pegged her as an athlete. The runner’s build and her high-heeled sling back shoes only added to the toned look.
    Being a clotheshorse, Ross knew quality and Kate Daniels wore it. Simple. Refined. Elegant.
    She smiled and held out her hand as she approached. “We meet again.”
    “We do indeed.” He clasped her hand, but didn’t do any cheesy lingering. Not his style and a woman like this deserved better. “This is Don Sickler, our V.P. of security.”
    Don stood, but barely reached her nose. With Don at 5’8”, Ross estimated Kate to be around 5’9” in her stocking feet. And the way he saw it, her height would be damned near perfect for him.
    But not until he politely declined whatever she was about to try to sell him.
    He’d learned early in his career that business and pleasure didn’t mix, but prided himself on his ability to date a woman and then leave the relationship with no hard feelings. He was, in fact, a pro at it. What that said about him, he wouldn’t dwell on. Not with all his friends either getting married or having babies. The list of weddings and christenings he’d attended seemed endless, and he’d taken to going alone because the cracks about the flavor of the week had suddenly begun to annoy him. In his twenties, the endless dating had been an ego trip. At thirty-four it was getting old.
    Fast.
    He offered Ms. Daniels a chair. “What can we do for you?”
    She set her briefcase on the floor and sat, taking a second to adjust the hem of her dress. Don watched as she smoothed the fabric, her long fingers sliding over her knees. Her French manicured nails, like the rest of her, were perfection.
    She crossed her legs, reached for something in her briefcase, and Don slid Ross the universal my heart stopped look.
    I hear you, buddy.
    If the two of them got out of here without making fools of themselves it would be a miracle.
    She set her notepad on her lap, tucked her hair behind her ear and glanced up at Ross. “Okay. All set. Where would you like to begin?”
    She was asking him? Huh.
    Don drew his eyebrows together, but for once didn’t speak.
    She flopped out her hand. “The review. Where would you like to start? Any areas of particular concern?”
    What the hell was she talking about? “Areas of concern?”
    “Yes. Anything in particular? Slots, table games, Sportsbook.”
    “Lady,” Don said, “what the hell are you talking about?”
    Ross may have been thinking it but, as usual, Don was the one to say it. New to Don’s direct manner, Ms. Daniels gave him a hard look. “ Excuse me?”
    Scorcher. The lady had a steel spine underneath all that polish. Ross held his hand up before Don lost