Let it Ride (Casino Nights #1) Read Online Free Page B

you didn’t have to leave just because I
did.”
    “I’ll walk you to your room.” Before
she could speak again, he continued. “Which wing?”
    “The north.”
    “Good, I’m in the north also, the sixteenth
floor.” He put his hand just above her ass as he steered her to the north
elevators.
    “I’m on the same floor.” She smiled
a little.
    “That’s convenient.” His smile grew
bigger. “In case I need to borrow something in the middle of the night.” Of course
he had arranged for them to be on the same floor. This was his opportunity to
get to know this fascinating woman and handling the logistics had been easy.
    “Or I have trouble sleeping and need
somebody to entertain me.” She gave him a knowing smile. At the sixteenth floor
they exited the elevator.
    “I know a better remedy to help you
sleep than a game of cards.” He gave a low chuckle.
    “I’m in room 1615, this way.” She
veered to the right and he followed.
    At her door she produced her
keycard. “Well, this is me.”
    “I could come in and help you check
the room,” he offered half in jest.
    “Appreciate the offer.”
    “You’re serious?” He felt his
protective instincts flare. He was born with them but the military had honed
his skills.
    Her eyes narrowed briefly before she
gave him a nod and ran the card through the lock. When the light showed green,
she pushed the door open.
    It took all of his control to not
hold Francesca back so he could be the first through the door. She’d worked in
security and obviously knew what she was doing. He would let her go first but
he would be following closely behind her.
    Francesca turned her head and caught
his eye, then pushed the door open and walked into the room. She motioned for
him to check the bathroom and the closet as she continued on deeper into the
room.
    “Clear,” Remy stated after closing
the closet door.
    “Thanks for your help.” Francesca
kicked off her shoes.
    “No problem.” He stood in the small
hallway, making no move to enter the bedroom part of her room. “Will it upset
you if I tell you that I was teasing about doing a security check?”
    “I’m cautious, it’s been instilled
in me by Jimmy and others. Checking my room and surroundings are second nature
to me,” she stated seriously. “You can sit if you want.” She motioned to the
large club chair as she dropped onto the corner of the king-sized bed.
    “Thank you.”
    “My staff wanted me to travel with a
security detail, so I couldn’t very well run into a problem on the first night.
They would never let me forget it.” She widened her eyes as small laugh
escaped.
    “I imagine that Mr. O’Haire would like for you to have security with you
whenever you leave The Red Rose.” He had met Jimmy O’Haire through business on two occasions, one of which had included Francesca. It was
obvious that the man was fiercely protective of his daughter.
    “For the last year, I’ve rarely
travelled anywhere without someone or a detail with me.” She looked down at her
feet.
    “Steven Blake has stirred up a lot
of folks, caused a lot of work for people. He seems to have a real hard-on for
Mr. O’Haire and his company. I imagine that would
include you.” He had heard rumors of death threats against Jimmy.
    “It was my idea.” Francesca was
still looking down. She didn’t elaborate.
    “What was your idea?”
    “For our company to be a stalking
horse in some purchase deals. When I was approached the first time, I saw it as
an easy way to make some money. A property is for sale, Rose Holdings goes in,
does a public walk through, applies to that state’s licensing board, and then
other buyers become interested. We get a negotiated fee if other buyers are
attracted. We check out most casinos that go up for sale, even the ones that we
have no interest in. I saw it as a way to stay current on the market and our
competition. I convinced Jimmy that since we were already doing the research,
we could get