Coercion (The Cassano Series Book 3) Read online

  Before she can rise, there is a pounding on my door, so I slide my chair away from her. “Who is it?”

  “It’s Jersey.”

  “Come in.” I clear my throat as Simon enters my office.

  Simon

  If guilt was a middle name, its first would be Xavier. I don’t know what my brother is up to, but he looks like he did when we were kids and got caught cussing into the air vents.

  My eyes flash to Tara, who used to serve clients in Elite. She’s now working under Zev and is wearing the same guilty look. She’s the exact person I need to speak to him about, so it’s odd that she’s in here.

  “Hey, I need to talk to you in private.”

  “OK,” he says as he clears his throat. His face is red, and he might even be sweating.

  “Tara, you should go home,” he says to her.

  “OK, um, I will be here tomorrow night for my shift, and I’m sorry about earlier. Good night. I mean bye.” Her eyes are all over the place as she gnaws on her lip and stands. “Bye, Simon.”

  “Have a good evening, Tara.”

  She’s passing me in a flash, and I grin at my brother.

  “You breaking the employee rule now, too?”

  He rolls his eyes. “No, what did you need?”

  “I actually came to talk to you about Tara. I no sooner got into the lounge, and Noah was cornering me. Seems we’re having a role reversal.

  “He told you to get him a date with Sadie. Now, he’s telling me to have you hand over Tara. What gives?”

  “That dick.”

  “We’ve already established he’s that, among several other vulgar words. Is this why she was in your office?”

  “Yeah, that’s why. I was telling her to stay away from Noah. He had her out to dinner tonight.”

  “Why do you care if he takes her out? He has spent time with other women in the lounge.”

  Zev shifts back toward his computer. “She’s different. She’s … I don’t know, more naïve than the other girls. He might hurt her. She reminds me of Blanca.”

  “The woman you’re not banging any longer. Are you sure you’re not looking for a replacement?”

  He glances over and glares at me. “I can find all the pussy I want. I don’t need Tara’s.”

  “Hmm … I didn’t say need.”

  “Look, I’m not letting her near him, so send him my way if he gives you more shit about it.”

  “Will do.” I grin at him. “Surprisingly, one women isn’t such a bad thing, bro. I get amazing sex and earth-shattering blow jobs before I curl up against a warm body. I sleep like a baby after. It’s awesome.”

  “Good for you.”

  I sigh. Zev needs to lighten up. “I gotta run and check on things at D/s, but if you’re not interested in Tara, you should encourage her to take a date with Noah.

  “He’s getting majorly pissed at us and losing trust. I’m worried he’s going to take a walk. I don’t believe he would do anything stupid the first time out with her.”

  “If I recall correctly, you didn’t want him near Sadie.”

  “Yeah, and that was mainly because I liked her. You don’t like Tara, so no big deal, right?”

  I leave my brother alone with that to think about. I saw the look on his face when I interrupted whatever they had going on between them. He so likes Tara.

  Victoria

  Sitting by Adrian at the dining room table, I take a sip of my wine. We’ve been back home for over a week, and there are things we have to talk about. After shoving my dinner plate forward, I take another drink to calm my nerves.

  “You know, we have to discuss what we’re going to do about Noah and me playing poker in the lounge. My sergeant questioned me today. This problem isn’t going to go away on its own, and I sure can’t ask for another vacation.”

  Adrian’s sadness takes shelter in his walnut colored eyes before he lowers his head. “I don’t want you doing it. There has to be another way. I wish there was another person we could plant in there.”

  “I know someone who would help me out, but I can’t put her in that kind of danger.”

  Adrian’s head jerks up, and I instantly regret opening my mouth.

  “Who?”

  I sigh. “My friend, Tara. Remember how she moved to the Royal lounge once I assaulted Mr. Glover?”

  “Right, Tara, the girl who helped me with the shopping.”

  “Yes, she’s right where we need her, but I can’t put her in danger.”

  “Better her than you, Victoria. I couldn’t take it if something happened to you.”

  “She’s an employee. That would never fly with the members.”

  “No, but she could get close to Noah in other ways.”

  I give an adamant no with a shake of my head.

  “He beat the shit out of a stripper after he tied her to his bed. Then, he had her murdered when he thought she was going to tell the authorities. I can’t risk Tara’s safety.”

  Adrian groans loudly. “I hate this. There has to be another way to bust him. I need to tell you something. Simon and Zev have been buying drugs from Noah.

  “We destroy them after, but they’re doing deals, hoping to find out something about Ferrera. Hell, no one has even seen John Ferrera’s face. The FBI doesn’t even know his identity.”

  “Do you understand how dangerous it is to be buying drugs?”

  “I do, but we’d rather take the risk than all of us end up in prison.”

  I nod. He does have a point there. I want to go back to Arizona with Adrian and stay in our own little world, but that can never happen again if we don’t nail Sanders and this Ferrera.

  Once Sergeant Bishop let Reggie and me in on more details about Noah’s case, we found out the word on the street from lower-level dealers is that Noah is the only one who knows John Ferrera.

  I then found out in Arizona from Adrian’s team that Larios, the drug lord in Juarez, claims Ferrera is top dog here in Vegas. The good news about that is he’s reachable. He’s in Sin City, and I will find him one way or another.

  Chapter Ten

  Adrian

  I'm at my desk when Zev steps in.

  “Hey, Ace. Glad you’re back. I heard things are good between you and Victoria, too.”

  “Yeah, things are good between us, but I don’t know what lies ahead with our bullshit here.” I lean back in my chair. “Shut the door. There are some things we need to discuss.” My hands slide down my face as I wait for privacy.

  “I need to discuss something with you, too.”

  “I’ll get you a photo later of the cop in your lounge. Her real name is Megan, but Victoria said she’s going by Marcy. As challenging as it will be, don’t let her know you’re aware of who she is. Let her do business as usual.

  “Victoria doesn’t believe Megan is a threat. Unless she’s doing something out of the ordinary, leave her be. The servers don’t know about the tax evasion, and a client who spends time with her isn’t going to tell, so hopefully she’ll become bored soon enough.”

  “OK, fine. What else?” Zev finally takes a seat in front of my desk.

  “Noah Sanders. He’s more dangerous than I thought. I found out he’s responsible for a stripper’s murder and having Victoria assaulted back when she was in the hospital.”

  Zev’s mouth falls open a bit, and I see his hands snap into fists as they rest on the arms of the leather chair.

  “He’s who I wanted to talk to you about. He’s cheating in the Royal lounge.”

  “You’re certain?”

  “Yes, and I’m not sure how to handle the situation. I wanted your opinion.”

  “Send him to me.” I already knew Noah was scum, but after finding out he was behind Victoria’s injuries, I despise him. I’ll put him in his place.

  “What if he bails? If he stops working with us on the drug deals we’ll never have a way to bust him, and then it’s prison for us.”

  “He won’t. He’s greedy and sleazy, getting all the women and
fun he wants here. He thinks he has power, so I’m going to set him straight while still letting him believe that’s true. Don’t worry about Noah.”

  Zev taps his foot quickly, much like Simon does, and his fists are still clenched tightly. This whole messed up situation between us and the FBI is wearing on him.

  “We need to go to the gun range soon. I need to sharpen my skills in case they’re needed. Anything else you wanted to cover?” he asks.

  “Yes, since I’ve been away, I told Theo to take a little time off. He wants to take Karen and the kids to see Mom. I thought you might like to go, too.”

  “Not happening.”

  “Zev, you need to see her at least once and have some closure. I don’t want you living with regrets. Jersey and I can hold down the fort.”

  He leans his head back and stares at the ceiling.

  “I’m not ready. Maybe I’ll go over the 4th of July.”

  “OK, that’s not far off. The last thing I need is for you to send Tara Northrup to see me.”

  Zev

  I’m staring at the ceiling of Adrian’s office when he asks to see Tara. My head snaps downward.

  “What the hell for?”

  “Don’t worry about it. I just need to speak with her.”

  I want to question him further, but I don’t want him interrogating me about Tara like I’m in some Quentin Tarantino movie. I recall Simon’s questioning from the previous night.

  “Fine, I’ll send her over as soon as she arrives.” It hits me that I could personally escort her, giving me a reason to see her tight body and beautiful face. I think about how smooth her skin is and speculate that she’s much younger than I am.

  “Zev, where are you right now?”

  My mouth falls open as I realize I’ve been daydreaming about a woman.

  “Sorry. You have me thinking about Mom.”

  “Oh, well, I think that’s a good thing.”

  I leave my brother’s office and look at my watch. I only have to wait one hour to see her.

  ***

  The minutes tick by slowly, so when the last five begin, I pick up the phone and call Shannon. She’s probably getting settled in at her desk for the evening.

  “Shannon, how are you?”

  “Good, Xavier. How can I help you?”

  “Please keep Tara Northrup from going out on the floor. I’ll be down shortly to get her. Adrian wants a word with her.”

  “OK, look, I’ve tried to be patient and respect the boundaries here, but what is with all the secret meetings with my staff between you and Adrian? First it was Vicky Stuart and now Tara.”

  I’m quiet for a moment, unsure of how to answer.

  “I can’t disclose that. If I believe you need to know something, I will inform you.” Shannon is older and can be intimidating for a woman. She’s like a mom you’re waiting for to scold you. “I promise, Shannon; I will tell you if it concerns you.”

  I didn’t want to do this in person, but I guess I should’ve. Then, I could’ve given her a sweet look to smooth things over. She takes some buttering up at times.

  “Fine, I will hold her here, but you’re making me shorthanded, so please keep her meeting brief.”

  “Yes, ma’am–I mean, Shannon.”

  I end the call before she gets in another word and head down to her office. Tara stands as soon as I stroll in. She’s in her uniform, and I’m totally distracted as my eyes betray me, drifting over her exposed body.

  I clear my throat. “Tara, Adrian Cassano would like a word with you.”

  Her mood appears deflated as she frowns.

  “Oh, OK. Should I change?”

  I don’t want her to, but I also don’t like the idea of her sitting in front of Adrian with her rack spilling out of her risqué outfit. “Sorry for the nuisance, but that might be a good idea.”

  I speak to Shannon while Tara changes, and I’m impatient as hell. She reappears and is still sparsely clothed. Her short denim shorts leave her legs going on for fucking infinity, and her pink, V-neck t-shirt does little to hide her voluptuous tits.

  This is not much less of a view for Adrian, and I don’t know what I’m worried about. He’s so damn lovesick for Victoria it’s pathetic.

  “Follow me.” I try to get back to business as I lead her to the private set of elevators. I don’t know why, but I tell Sampson to step out. It’s not like I’ve never kicked our elevator guy out before. One time, Blanca and I stepped on at the same time, so Sampson was immediately kicked out.

  Yeah, that elevator didn’t move for a solid fifteen minutes, and I didn’t give a damn, but it’s not like I’m going to fuck Tara in the elevator. Hell, I don’t even plan on touching her, yet I want her alone if only for a minute.

  We begin our ride up without a word.

  Say something, you tool.

  “Just so you know, I didn’t tell Adrian you’re the one who informed me about Noah.”

  “Oh, then maybe he wants me to do more shopping for Victoria or find out what she likes.” She gives me a glowing grin, and I have an urge to push her against the wall of the elevator and close those lips with mine.

  “Yeah, probably.” She blushes and looks to the ground, which only makes me want to touch her more.

  The elevator doors open faster than I’ve ever wanted them to, and I motion for her to step off. She follows me once again, and I tap on Adrian’s door.

  “Come in,” he says.

  “Uh, I’ll wait out here to take you back down.”

  “OK, thanks.” Tara smiles again, but it’s not the spirited one she gave me in the elevator. Her eyes don’t even meet mine. A stupid thought that she’s losing interest in me fills my head, so I dismiss it.

  I’m her boss, and the last thing I need is another Blanca on my hands. I shouldn’t give a flying fuck whether or not she’s interested.

  But I do.

  Chapter Eleven

  Adrian

  Tara takes the chair across from me as I motion to it. She seems overly nervous as she glances around the room. I sit quietly until her eyes fall on mine.

  She’s an attractive young woman, who I’ve only ever spoken to over the phone. I smile at her.

  “Ms. Northrup—”

  “Please, call me Tara.”

  “Tara, first I want to thank you personally for the shopping you did for Victoria.”

  “You’re welcome. Lord, she looked exquisite that night.”

  “Yes, she absolutely did.” The pain of that evening comes rushing back, so I feel my forehead wrinkling. OK, I might be up to no good yet again, but I will share the news about this meeting with Victoria. Only it will be after the fact.

  “I brought you here because I have some questions about the Royal lounge, and I want to hear a server’s opinion.”

  “Oh, OK.” Tara’s forehead scrunches a bit.

  “First, do you believe any of the servers would use drugs?”

  “Mr. Cassano, we’re required to be clean to work here, and you have goal-oriented, ambitious women working for you. I can’t recall a single server who I believe would screw around with drugs.”

  Hell, I don’t even know why I asked her that. Noah Sanders probably doesn’t even use the drugs he sells, so it’s not like I’m going to get some server to buy them or do them with him to get me information.

  “That’s good to hear. How well do you know the member Noah Sanders?”

  She sighs. “I had dinner with him, but, um, then Zev told me to stay away from Noah. He gave me the impression Mr. Sanders is dangerous.”

  I’m sighing now. The man is dangerous, and here is this sweet, young woman I would like to put in his path, so I don’t have to let it be Victoria. This meeting was a dumb, desperate idea on my part.

  I’m finding out the way to Noah Sander’s cold heart is with women he can use as play toys, but I can’t purposely put one in danger to get what I need. It would be wrong.

  “Tara, my brother is right. Noah is not a good person, and it
would be in your best interest to stay away from him.”

  “Sure. Is that all you needed?” She seems frustrated, and I’m not sure why unless she was looking forward to more time with Noah.

  “Yes, that’s all. You can get to work now. Thank you, Tara.”

  “You’re welcome, sir.”

  Tara

  Zev has lost his mind. I tread toward the door of Adrian’s office, ready to give Xavier Cassano a piece of my mind. He stands from a chair the second I open the door.

  “Finished?” he asks with a smile.

  “I can’t believe you,” I say in a low voice.

  “What did I do?”

  “We’ll discuss it in the elevator.” I give him a solid glare before I break eye contact and stomp to the elevator. We’re both silent until it opens, but the second the doors shut, I turn to him.

  “I am not a child. I don’t need your brother giving me a good talking to.”

  “What are you even referring to? What did he say to you? Was he mean?”

  Zev’s brow furrows, and he seems like he’s asking as a protective measure, which is confusing to no end.

  “No, he wasn’t mean, but I find it hard to believe that you don’t know.” He messes with the front of his dark hair, which is a little haphazardly spiked and sexy.

  Ugh, I wish I wasn’t so attracted to this man.

  “Tara, my brother said he needed a word with you. He did not give me even a hint to what it was about.”

  “The topic of Noah Sanders came up, and Adrian told me I should stay away from him. I thought you had him tell me.”

  His head shakes. “No, I didn’t say a word. Like I told you before, he doesn’t even know it was you who ratted out Sanders.”

  My shoulders that were tight and raised drop as I briefly cover my mouth. “Now, I feel foolish.” My gaze averts to the floor. “I’m sorry. That was presumptuous of me to assume you went to that measure to keep me away from Noah.”

  Zev steps across the floor. In two strides, he’s directly in front of me. His hand reaches out next to him, and he pushes a button, stopping the elevator.