Fear me

Casino Night

Catalina

"You sent for me," I said to Adriano as I stood in his office. He sat there smug behind his desk.

"I am leaving for a few days," Adriano said. "There is a new casino opening up and my presence is needed."

"Oh okay," I said.

"You can leave now," I took a deep breath and turned around. I walked out of his office and thought to myself. Was this a perfect opportunity for Oscar to come save me and my father? I looked down at my phone and tried to convince myself to do it. Adriano was cruel and has shown that he would eventually kill my father. He didn't care about me. He would probably kill me too. He wouldn't help me find my mother. He would want to kill every Santo that crossed his path, including her. I couldn't trust him but still, I have known him since we were kids. He was my first crush. My first lo-.

My phone suddenly rang. It was an unknown number.

"Oi," I answered.

"Did you find anything out? Will he go on a business trip or anything any time soon? We just need one or two days?" Oscar baggered me.

Adriano

"Is everything set," I told my brother.

"Yes," he answered. I was going away for three days and I didn't want to leave anything to chance. My mother and father were taking a trip to Europe so they would be safe while I was gone. I wanted around the clock security on the house. Our little guest would be moved for the time being but I didn't want anyone to know that. Plus my home is worth protecting when I am away.

"Why are there people packing my things?" Catalina came storming into my office.

"I didn't send for you," I told her harshly.

"Adriano, where are you taking my things?" she asked. "Are you kicking me out?"

"No, you are going with me to the casino event. I thought we discussed this," I said.

"You didn't ask me or tell me anything," she huffed.

"I am telling you now," I argued. "Now, go get ready. We leave an a hour."

An Hour Later

"Can you hurry up?" I huffed. Catalina was stalling. I wasn't sure why.

"Why can't I stay?" she sighed.

"You are my wife and need to be by my side. Also I don't care to leave you here alone," I grabbed her elbow and pulled her to the car. She whined the entire time. It took us four hours to get there. We stayed in a penthouse overlooking the casino. I wanted to stay in a hotel we owned versus staying in the casino's hotel area. This partnership was new and they were reluctant to have my family involved in their business. We persuaded them of course. So here I was to ensure the opening went smoothly and that we get 60% of all the profit for the night.

I grabbed some whiskey from the shelf and sat down to read. Catalina was in the bedroom, probably pouting. I got dressed as soon as night fall came. It was time to head over to the casino. I sent her dress to her room. I went to go smoke on the balcony as I waited for her to come out.

Twenty minutes later, I heard her coming out of the bedroom. I walked off the balcony and into the penthouse. She was squirming by the door. I was stunned and amazed by her. She was wearing a wine colored one sleeve bodycon satin dress. It showed off her curves perfectly. She was wearing a three stringed diamond necklace and matching bracelet but nothing shined more than her wedding ring. I think this was the first time I had noticed it so prominently. She had matching red lips that made them seductive and plump. I wanted to smear it and make her know that no one could ever have her but me. Her curls were full and voluminous. She looked like a goddess, no like the perfect gangster's wife. She looked sinful, ready to be admired and coveted by all.

"Let's go," I extended my hand out and we walked out together.

"Mr. Hernandez," the casino owner greeted.

"Hello, Mr. Anderson," I replied.

"Glad to see you could make it," he said.

"Of course, we are partners after all," I smirked. I knew he didn't like that idea but how could he object.

"This must be your lovely wife," Mr. Anderson added. "Congratulations."

"Yes, lovely she is," I smirked at Catalina. She became tense and looked away.

"Let's get you two some drinks," he walked us over to the bar and we ordered a few drinks.

"So, you are a partner of that man?" Catalina asked.

"Yes, it's a new partnership," I said.

"Oh, and his casino is?" she questioned.

"An investment," I smiled. Catalina took a sip of her drink. I stared at her. She was so poised. Her lips were driving me crazy. "Let's gamble." I led her to the blackjack table first. She looked nervous but I took her hand in mine. "You know how to play, right?" She nodded her head. "Go for it." She smiled and played. Straight away. My lucky lady got an ace and a ten. Her smilegrew wider. The dealer called Blackjack. Everyone around us clapped. "Good job."

"Thank you," she continued to smile. We played a few more hands and then she watched me play poker. She kept her eyes intently on me. From the corner of my eyes I watched her.

"Mr. Anderson would like to speak to you," A security man said. I rolled my eyes. I was annoyed he would bother to interrupt me and have one of his men do it. He obviously was trying to pretend to be a big boss right now. I was escorted to his office. I told Catalina to stay and have another drink by the bar. I asked five of my men to watch her.

"I think we need to discuss our business deal," Mr. Anderson said as I sat down in his office. I laughed softly.

"There is nothing to talk about," I told him.

"You can't just take 60% of tonights profit. We are having such a good night and I will practically make nothing," he whined.

"If you were making nothing, I would be taking 100% but I am not, You need my protection and my loyalty," I told him. "Don't make me regret this deal."

"I won't let you take what's mine," he said as he stood up and slammed his palms on his desk. His men suddenly came in.

"You leave, now with nothing but your health and beautiful wife," he threatened. "If you don't I will have to force you out and I won't show mercy on you or HER." He had the nerve to threaten me and Catalina. I quickly took out my gun from the holster in my jacket. I shot the man to my right first then the one to my left. Mr. Anderson was left alone.

"HELP, GUARDS!" He called. I pointed my gun at him before quickly turning around and shooting the two men who were running inside.

"I am sorry this deal couldn't work out, Mr. Anderson but perhaps in the future you will see things my way," I said. I walked out of his office and went to look for Catalina.

"Everything alright, sir," one of my men said. I whispered in his ear and grabbed Catalina by her arm.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"We are leaving," I said. She was stumbling at first but then found her footing and walked beside me.

"You weren't having fun?" she asked softly.

"I was but things took a different turn," I told her.

"Um, is that bad?" she asked.

"Not for me," I said. Mr. Anderson chased us outside.

"Adriano," Catalina yelled.

"YOU BASTARD," he was holding up a gun, pointed straight at me. My men blocked me from his sight. His men stopped him from shooting me in front of any passerby that could become a witness to a crime. "You will pay for this."

"Not if you do first," I smiled. I grabbed Catalina's hand and continued walking to our car.

As we made our way to the room, I began to take off my tie and jacket.

"You saved me," I said to HER.

"Did I?" she questioned. "Would he really have shot you in the back?"

"Yes, he would have," I told her. Her face dropped. "You seem worried."

"I can't believe that," she said. "If he would have,"

"You would be free," I told her. She frowned.

"That''s not what I want," she said. She began to take her heels off. I looked her up and down.

"Oh really," I said as I closed the space between us. "Then, what is it that you want?"