He guided her through the kitchen, ignoring the staff that looked up in mild surprise, to a small office near the back entrance. After slamming the door shut, he plopped her down in one of the two chairs facing the desk.
Ike took the seat behind it and slumped in the chair, locking his eyes on his captive.
Roxie refused to meet those eyes of his again; they were just too disconcerting. Too deep-seeing. Instead, she looked around the small office. The walls were covered with various licenses from the city and state. The small metal desk was bare, all except the small stack of papers on the corner and the remnant of a meal from a take-out restaurant.
Ike broke the silent standoff. “How about you explain to me exactly what happened out there?”
“I don’t know what you mean.” Ignorance was her only defense, she decided. He couldn’t prove anything as long as she admitted nothing.
He sat forward and folded his arms across the desk. “I think you do.”
Her response was complete silence.
“You’ve piqued my curiosity, Roxie.” He smiled softly, revealing a glimpse of white teeth. “Just tell me how you did it. That’s all I want to know.”
More silence.
“I must admit, I’m a little disappointed. You struck me as a pro, a real smooth operator. But now I see…this is just another amateur night.”
Unable to help herself, Roxie’s eyes flashed to his.
Ike stood and came around to the front of the desk. He leaned one hip against the empty surface, and moved forward until their faces were level.
Roxie felt her heart pick up its cadence, beating rapidly against her chest. She pressed herself back into the chair trying to put as much distance as possible between them, still unsure of the fearful excitement he seemed to arouse. Granted, he was a good-looking man, but she knew it wasn’t his face that she was responding to. It was something else, something deeper. He was such a still creature, slow moving and quiet. But the energy coming off of him was like bolts of lightning shooting around her head.
“Come on,” he cooed seductively. “It’s not often I get the opportunity to talk to someone with your expertise.”
Give me a break. She maintained her silence, focusing her attention on a small puncture hole in the vinyl covering of the other guest chair. Her busy mind worked for a way to extricate herself. A way that did not involve being detained half the night, or being turned over to the police. Despite his sweet talk, Roxie knew for certain that as soon as she even hinted at the truth, the wolf would rip her to shreds.
“I’m not looking for a collar tonight, just a lesson. Educate me. How’d you do it?”
Roxie folded her arms over her chest. “Either charge me or let me go. I know my rights. You can’t just hold me here indefinitely.”
“You can tell me or the police. It’s your choice.” The seductive tone of his voice was instantly replaced by pure steel.
Roxie’s whole body stiffened reflexively before she forced herself to relax. “It must be really hard playing good cop, bad cop all by yourself.”
His dark eyes narrowed. “All right, let’s cut the bull. Just tell me how you did it, and I’ll let you go.” He popped his fingers. “Just like that.”
She set her full lips in a determined fashion, letting him know there would be no more involuntary confessions. “I have nothing to tell. I’m just a gambler who got lucky.”
She stood and he stood with her. Roxie felt her whole body shiver in response to the sudden nearness. Get a hold of yourself! she scolded.
“I don’t know who you think you’re dealing with, lady. But you are playing a dangerous game.”
Roxie was far more afraid than she let on. His words were the very reason she’d walked away from the poker table without a dime. Fear of an unknown danger so strong it was almost palpable. “Are you going to charge me with something or not?”
“We both know you were cheating. Why deny it? All I want to know is how you did it.”
She moved to go around him, and Ike cut off her path once again.
“The Desert Rose is owned by Bobby Kincaid.”
“So what?” she snapped, more out of nervousness that nerve. Suddenly, she was remembering every rumor she’d ever heard about how Bobby Kincaid made his fortune, most of it not good. How much did this man have to do with that?
He leaned closer. Roxie took a step back, but her retreat was stopped short, when a strong arm came around her waist and held her in place.
“You’re dancing with the devil.” His warm breath touched her ear, and she swallowed hard. Ike pulled back and looked directly into her eyes. “I’d advise you to remember that the next time you consider visiting this particular establishment.”
I know. She allowed herself to stare into the bottomless pit of his liquid eyes. I know. Roxie shook her head to break the spell he’d cast over her. She pushed past him, and opened the door.
“Next time I won’t care how you did it, but I’ll make sure you never do it again.”
His chilling words caused her to pause.
“If you ever show your face in my casino again, be prepared to face the consequences.”
Roxie knew there was no mistaking the threat in those words. She walked out and gently closed the door behind her.
As soon as she was through the door, Ike was on the radio telling one of his men to discreetly shadow the woman and report back to him with the license plate number from her car.
He fell into his chair, thinking about the mystery woman. He’d studied every detail of her face. Soft brown eyes, almost the exact same color as her flawless bronze skin. A cute little upturned nose over full, inviting pink lips. Her short curly hair, tinted with blond highlights covering her head in an unruly mass had framed her small face. He willed himself to see beyond the pretty face to the deceitful, conniving heart that must lie beneath.
She’d crossed her legs at the knee, and Ike had unconsciously licked his lips. They really were exceptional, he thought. But she was a con artist, a hustler, a cheat, and despite her very appealing attributes he must never forget that.
He wondered if maybe he’d poured on the Capone routine too thick. He wanted to scare her, and was certain it had worked. He only hoped it was enough to keep her away.
Ike thought she looked like a prim school-teacher reprimanding a disobedient student. Although, if any of his teachers had looked like her, he never would’ve graduated.
He closed his eyes, and lay his head back on his chair, remembering those incredible legs. He’d already identified, categorized and labeled the intense feelings. Raw lust, nothing more.
Bobby Kincaid leaned across the large oak desk. His fisted hands were braced against the surface as he stared in utter disbelief at the man who was more like a son to him than his own biological child. “Are you telling me that you just let her walk out of here? Without so much as a slap on the hand?”
Ike sat forward in his chair with his hands resting on his knees.
“What were you thinking?”
“What did you want me to do, Bobby? Arrest her on the charge of what we suspect?! She didn’t actually steal anything! She didn’t take a dime from the table. Not one cent. I had nothing—and she knew it. And more importantly, she knew we could not have proved it, even if she did take the money. Quite honestly, I’m not sure why she left it.”
Bobby huffed, as he considered that bit of information. He turned and