Page 5 of Maximum Bet

“Oh, Cassandra, you look beautiful.” Cecilia steps forward, wrapping her arms around me for a quick hug. Her embrace is warm and welcoming. I couldn’t be luckier to be gaining her as my mother-in-law.

“I love your dress,” I gush, motioning to her ensemble. The beads sparkle in warm lighting.

She chuckles and runs a hand over the fabric. “I can’t tell you how many times I asked Marco for his color scheme before I gave up and texted Amanda.”

I lean in close with a grin. “I recommend a pale pink for our wedding.”

“I’ll start shopping tomorrow.” We giggle, our sparkling wine taking effect. “Now, honey, tell me how the show is going? Everyone in Vegas is giving Il Palazzo’s production rave reviews.”

The smile on my face feels forced as I work to come up with an answer.

I love my job as a dancer in Dominic’s luxury hotel’s show. If it weren’t for the position, he and I would never have met. It wasa mishap, involving being locked in a restroom together on my first day, that led to his pursuit of more between us.

The problem is that after years of training as a classical ballerina, I imagined more for my career. A devastating injury to my foot took me out of the ballet world, and I meant for my stint as a Las Vegas showgirl to be temporary.

“It’s going well. The theater is packed every night.” I nod, attempting to convince myself that’s all that matters.

“But . . .” Cecilia urges for more.

“I’m starting to wonder what comes next,” I admit.

Her expression softens as she gently squeezes my arm. “Is Dominic still giving you a hard time about performing?”

I can’t hold back an unladylike snort. Dominic has been urging me to quit for months. A combination of possessiveness and the instinct to provide for me underlies his request. “If it were up to him, I’d spend my days lounging around the Il Palazzo penthouse with nothing to do but cook him dinner at the end of the night.”

“He means well.”

“He needs to understand I have to havesomethingto do.” I shift in my heels, downing the last sip of my drink. “But maybe that thing isn’t dancing anymore.”

The band, which has been setting up on a stage in front of the dance floor, begins its performance. Amplified music cuts off the end of my sentence, causing Cecilia to point toward her ears and shake her head. I mouth that we can talk later.

Vincent and Dominic turn toward us, offering their arms to escort us away from the speakers.

Dominic and I continue to make rounds, greeting guests, until the faces and names become a blur. The entire time, my admission to Cecilia lingers in the back of my mind.

My world has changed. Maybe it’s time to move on to the next stage.

I just need to figure out what that is.

Chapter 3

Dominic

By the time the MC announces Marco and Amanda’s entrance, I’m ready to cut out of their reception and take Cassandra home. Weddings are nothing but business gatherings masquerading as social events. God only knows what nonsense I’ll be forced to address at my own.

I clap along with the crowd as the couple begins their first dance, then sip my scotch as I scan the patrons.

Jorge Santos hasn’t left my radar all night. I’ve spotted Nico and Leo watching him, as well. Our meeting tomorrow has us all on edge. My skin crawls with the knowledge that he and his crew from Miami are in my city. My father offered them rooms at Le Château, his boutique hotel. The closer they are, the better we can monitor them.

The dance floor opens, and my attention shifts to the beauty on my arm. A wistful smile graces Cassandra’s features, and I’m sure thoughts of our upcoming wedding fill her head.

“Do you want to dance?” I ask, leaning close.

Her voice releases on a sigh. “I’d love to.”

We snake our way between tables and guests onto the dance floor. Cassandra fits in my arms perfectly. Her body and soul were made to complement mine. My hand rests on the small of her back, dangerously low as I pull her tight against my frame.

I place a lingering kiss against her temple and reminisce over the better part of the past year that I’ve spent with her. From our first night together, after which she disappeared, as if I would ever let her go. Then came our battle with Alexsey Kozlova, the underboss of a Russian Bratva organization. Cassandra came to my rescue, killing the bastard after he shot me in the shoulder. It was only days after my surgery that her father showed up at Il Palazzo with his narrowed eyes and preconceived notions. It wasn’t until he and I had to work together to bring Cassandra back from the Kozlovas, who had kidnapped her, that we formed an amicable relationship.