Fever

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 paced to a full-length window that overlooked the Las Vegas strip. He took in the flashing neon signs, the various advertisements for dancing girls and other assorted forms of carnal amusement. This was not only Sin City, this was his city. “How do you think she did it?” Bobby asked the vague question, never taking his eyes off the scenery below.

“Honestly…I don’t know. None of my guys spotted her doing anything even the remotest bit suspicious…besides winning. Under different circumstances, I probably would’ve blown it off. But there is no way she could’ve won that amount—that quickly—without cheating. Lady Luck is not that generous.”

“Then how?”

“If I didn’t know better, I’d say she was counting the cards.”

“That’s impossible.”

Ike shrugged his shoulders. “It’s been done.”

“Not in my casino.” Bobby leaned against the front of the desk. “Besides, the chances of that are what? Like, one in a million?”

“Greater than that. But it is possible, how else could you explain it?”

Bobby returned to his position by the window. “I don’t buy it.”

Ike slumped back in his chair. “Okay, you were watching. You tell me how she did it.”

“I don’t know how she did it. But I do know that she didn’t count the cards.”

He paused for a long moment. “Find her and bring her to me.”

Ike shot straight up in his chair. “Why? It’s not even your money she was taking.” Ike spoke with obvious anger.

Bobby swung around at the venomous tone. Despite his small stature, he was a big man in Las Vegas. As the sole owner of the Desert Rose Casino, his name carried a lot of weight. There were very few men who put the fear of God in him. But when Ike, his godson, was angry, he shot to the top of that list.

Bobby was certain Ike would never turn on him, he knew the boy loved him as much as he was loved in return. But when Ike was angry, there was something in those dark eyes of his that just didn’t seem…normal.

Bobby was sure it had something to do with the Navy training, and those years Ike had spent as a SEAL. No matter how Bobby tried, Ike would never discuss those years with him. But like everyone else, Bobby had heard rumors of some of the things done to the young men who volunteered for the special tactical training. The cruel and often barbaric treatment was supposed to prepare them mentally and physically in the event they were ever delivered into the hands of the enemy.

Maybe one day, Ike would confide in him, but right now, all Bobby wanted was to defuse a volatile situation. He recognized the emotion in Ike’s eyes right away. He’d been on the receiving end of that look of jealousy—raw and dangerous—several times since the day he purchased the Desert Rose, but never from this young man. All this over a woman he’s just met?

“Ike, I know you think I’m some lecherous old man who jumps on every pretty woman who crosses my path—”

Ike arched one eyebrow. “Aren’t you?”

“Not this time. All I want is information. Think about it…what if she was using some new technique. Some new way to cheat that neither of us is aware of. This thing could kill Vegas overnight. We need to know what she knows.”

The chances of Roxie having a photographic memory were slim to none, but new technology was being confiscated in casinos everyday. The chances of her using some new methods that he was just not familiar with were much more believable, much more acceptable. And a lot easier to prove.

Ike unleashed a gruff breath, as much as admitting Bobby was right. “Okay, I’ll check with some of my sources, and other casino security teams to see if they have encountered anything like this.”

Bobby’s eyes cut to Ike quickly before he looked away. “Still, find the girl and bring her.”

Ike’s dark eyes watched him.

Bobby felt the mental daggers in his chest, and held up his hands in surrender. “I just want to know what she knows.”

“What makes you think she’d willingly come?”

“Invite her as my guest.”

Ike’s eyes narrowed.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be on my best behavior. But one way or another, she’ll tell me what I want to know.”

Ike stood, and headed toward the door. “Okay, I’ll find her, but I think you may be in for more than you bargained for with this one. She doesn’t charm easily, and she sure as hell won’t be intimidated.”

Bobby still stood at the window as he heard the door close behind him. He was wondering about the woman who could make such an impression on his godson in so short a time.

Chapter 3

They both seemed surprised by the other’s appearance, as if both were expecting to see very different people standing before them.

Ike couldn’t speak for the other, but he’d expected to see a curly-headed beauty with killer legs instead of a gnarled, old Hispanic man wielding a deadly weapon.

“If you want to get in here, you’ll have to get past me!” the man hissed with a heavy accent. “And I’ll beat you to death before you move one piece of furniture.”

Ike twisted his mouth in concentration as he took in his frail adversary, who wore faded corduroys and a plaid button-up shirt. He’d learned long ago not to be fooled by appearances. Obviously, the man had mistaken him for someone else. Could Dean have given him the wrong information?

Ike’s former partner from the police force was an invaluable resource when it came to getting background information on the frequent con men who patronized the Desert Rose. Tonight, he’d come through again when he did a trace on the license plate number Ike’s men had recovered from Roxie’s car. This was the address on record for the woman he now knew as Tessa Sanchez. But now, Ike was wondering if his mystery woman had covered her tracks better than he thought.

He needed to confirm his suspicion quickly. After all, there was no use in wasting time on a dead end. He carefully extended his hand. “Ike Bancroft. I’m looking for Tessa Sanchez. Does she live here?”

The old man looked down at Ike’s extended hand, and Ike watched him, fully prepared to dodge out of harm’s way if that cane came anywhere near him.

The old man’s eyes narrowed. “What’s it to you?”

“I’m a fri—”

“Who is it, Theo? That Realtor again?” A woman’s soft voice called from another room.

“No, some man who claims to know you.”

“Me?” A small Hispanic woman pressed her way in front of the man, anxiously pushing her glasses up on her nose. Her curly head bobbed as she inspected Ike from head to toe. “Do I know you?”

Ike felt his heart sink as he took in the older woman. I’ve been had. He shook his head slowly. “No, I’m sorry, I think I have the wrong address.” He started to turn away, and paused. “Do you own a light blue Honda Accord?”

“Yes, why do you ask?”

Ike could see a ray of hope in the distance. “Did you lend it to someone yesterday evening?”

“Yes, our daughter, Roxie. But, why are you asking these questions?”

Roxie. Ike took a deep breath, and felt relief sweep over his entire being. He hadn’t lost her after all.

“My name is Ike Bancroft. She and I met the other night. Can you tell me how to get in touch with her?”

“Son usted loco?” the man interrupted emphatically. “We do not know you—you could be some crazy man. Usted podría ser un maníaco para todo sabemos!”

Ike arched an eyebrow. His Spanish was rusty at best, but he was sure he heard the word maniac in there somewhere.

“Theo, calm yourself.” The woman placed her hand on his chest, and cooed lovingly. “He knows Roxie.”

The elderly man’s mouth twisted in disbelief. “So he says. But he looks like a cop to me,” he said, looking directly into Ike’s dark eyes.

Good call. Ike quickly looked away, knowing his revealing eyes were telling on him again.

The woman continued to look him over with obvious curiosity. “Where did you meet Roxie?”

“I work security at the Desert Rose Casino. She was playing one of our poker tables and I introduced myself.”

The woman and man exchanged strange looks. “The Desert Rose?” She elbowed her husband. “Did you hear that, Theo, they met at the Desert Rose.”

Ike watched the byplay and wondered what it meant.

Now the old man was looking at him with narrowed eyes and even more suspicion than before, if that were possible. “Yes, I heard him.”

Ike would figure out what all this meant later, but now, his main concern was finding Roxie. “Do you know where I can find her?”

“If she didn’t tell you, why should we?” Theo flared up again.

“Theo!” Tessa pushed back on Theo, but he stood steady as a rock, still staring at Ike with clear distrust. “Stop being so rude to our guest.”

In truth, Ike didn’t blame Theo one bit. If in the future, some strange man showed up on his doorstep looking for his daughter under similar circumstances, the guy would probably leave with a busted lip.

His eyes shifted to the cane dangling loosely from Theo’s hand. Maybe we have more in common than you think, old man.

“Move out of the way, Theo.” Tessa pushed again, and this time the older man allowed himself to be moved. “Please, come in,” she said, gesturing to the small sitting room.

Ike scanned the room, looking for signs of Roxie and they were everywhere. His eyes took in the walls lined with pictures that showed her growth and achievements from about the age of ten. He wondered only briefly about the years preceding as he took a seat on the sofa. Ike took in the couple once again, and pondered the origins of this unique family.

“So, tell me, Ike. How did you end up here?” The woman flopped down beside him, studying his face with the same avid curiosity she’d shown in the doorway.

Good question. “Well…” Ike hedged, trying to buy some time. “At the Desert Rose we have a policy of taking the license plate numbers of the patrons’ cars in the event we have to contact them. She left the casino before I could get her phone number, and like I said, we really hit it off, so I used the plate information to get her address and here I am.”

“How sweet.” She tilted her head to the side and gave him a dreamy expression.

You bought that? Ike smiled, and tried to hide his shock.

“That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard!” Theo huffed. “And if it is true, it would make you a stalker!”

Turning his back slightly on the man, Ike focused all his considerable charm on the woman, knowing she was his best bet for information. He smiled in the way he knew women liked, and Tessa returned the smile just as he expected. “We really hit it off the other night. I was hoping I could maybe talk her into having dinner with me.”

Tessa frowned. “She is probably at the lab. She almost lives in that lab.”

“Teresa!” The old man, who’d taken up a post by the window, snapped at his wife. “Usted no sabe a este hombre!” he growled in warning.

“He’s Roxie’s friend.” She titled her head in secret meaning that was no secret at all, Ike thought. She had apparently determined that he was a potential love interest.

Ike took a deep breath. This was taking a lot longer than he’d planned. If he still wanted to find Roxie tonight, he knew he’d have to get going. “Can you give me directions to her lab?”

Tessa opened her mouth to speak, but Theo quickly spoke over her. “No!” He barked more than said the one-word answer. “But we’ll tell her you stopped by.”

“Theo, stop being so rude.”

“Funny, I don’t remember her saying anything about working in a lab. But then again, I was so distracted by her face, I’m sure I missed more than that.”

“Our Roxie is a beauty.” Tessa waved her finger in reprimand. “But she’s a lot more than a pretty face, and don’t you forget it.”

“No, ma’am,” he answered obediently. “I could sense her intelligence right away.” He did his best to force his face into a love-struck expression. “She really is a special woman.”

Tessa patted his hand gently. “She just works too hard. Doesn’t take any time for the pleasures in life.”

Ike nodded sympathetically. “Well, I’ll see what I can do to change that.”

“You seem like such a nice young man.” She bounced up off the sofa with the agility of a young woman. “Why don’t you surprise her at work.” She rummaged around in her purse. “I know I have some Sizzler coupons in here somewhere.”

Ike’s eyebrows shot up. “Uh, that’s really all right. I already had a restaurant in mind.”

“Are you sure?” She peered at him over the rim of her glasses. “I know they’re in here.”

“Really, if you could just give me the address, I’ll take care of the rest.”

Ike watched her cross the room and write something on a notepad before ripping off the page and handing it to him.

He glanced at the address, but hid his surprise. “Thank you,” he said with a smile, studiously ignoring the old man, who still stood glaring at his side.

“You make sure you take her somewhere nice, like the Sizzler.”

“I will.” He let himself out of the small house. As he drove away, Ike was slightly confused. How could a pro hustler like Roxie Sanchez have been raised by such gullible parents?

As the big, white SUV pulled away from the curb, Theo came up beside his waving wife. “Just what was that all about? That man was not Roxie’s friend or anything else for that matter and you well know it! He’s a cop—or at least, a former cop.”

Tessa gave her husband a sly glance. “Former cop, I’d say.”

“So why did you tell him where to find Roxie? Who knows why he’s looking for her.”

Tessa turned and placed her hand gently against her husband’s shirt. “You’ve always told me I had excellent instincts.” She looked up at his weathered face with love.

“You do,” he mumbled. “And it’s saved us on more than one occasion, but what has that to do with this?”

“Trust my instincts, Theodoro. I have a feeling about Mr. Ike Bancroft.”

Theo looked in the direction of the long gone truck. “I hope you know what you are doing.”

Tessa reached up to place a gentle kiss on his cheek. “I do.”

Roxie stood and stretched before taking off her reading glasses to rest her eyes. She rubbed the bridge of her nose and glanced up at the clock on the wall. Ten-thirty! How could that be?

Standing on her tiptoes, she peeked just over the top of her cubicle and found herself completely alone. At some point during the evening all the members of her staff had quietly crept out, and she’d been none the wiser. The room was completely silent and abandoned. The lights were dimmed, the lab tables and instruments sat clean and still, waiting for another day of use.

She slumped back down in her chair, wondering why she was surprised. It wasn’t as if this were the first time she’d found herself all alone in the lab at some late hour.

There was a time when her staff would’ve tried to persuade her to leave with them, but they had long since figured their boss was an incurable workaholic. Shannon, her senior intern, was the most persistent and she’d given up months ago. Now, they just left her here, no one willing to interrupt her work long enough to toss a halfhearted goodbye over the top of the cubicle wall. But someone always made the security guard aware of her presence on their way out the door.

Roxie looked down at the computer screen covered in codes and calculations and decided nothing else was going to be accomplished by staying later. In fact, nothing had been accomplished all day.

After her harrowing experience the night before, she’d tried to throw herself into her work to forget. But how could she when the image of midnight-black eyes kept intruding. More than once, she’d smelled the faint odor of his musk cologne, felt a warm tingle of air on her neck and turned her head expecting to see him standing beside her. Ike Bancroft.

The man was nothing more than a common thug. He’d have to be to work for Bobby Kincaid. If you ever show your face in my casino again, be prepared to face the consequences. His menacing threat had played again and again in her head all day.

It seemed her parents had gotten involved with a very treacherous group of people.

In hindsight, of course, she could see how ridiculous it was to think she would waltz into the Desert Rose and waltz out with fifty thousand dollars of Bobby Kincaid’s money. She knew it was probably time to acknowledge that she was in over her head, and give up. But she couldn’t. Everything in her demanded payback, not so much for the money taken from her parents, but for the disgrace they now felt. Something she was certain most people would not understand. It was a hustler thing.

Having lived her life first on her own, then as Tessa and Theo’s ward, Roxie knew what the world thought about people like them. There were fewer words in the English language as despised as the words con man. It was synonymous with lowlife, scum. But what Roxie knew that most did not was that it was more honestly synonymous with words such as desperate and hungry.

In the world she knew as a child, there was no black and white, only shades of gray. The question was really what shade of gray would allow you to continue to sleep at night? And for what shade of gray would you sell your soul?

Even as a child, she knew exactly where to draw the line. And although she was not exactly proud of the things she’d done to survive, she had no trouble sleeping at night.

Could Ike Bancroft say the same?

At least she’d never see him again. Whether he realized it or not, his threat was quite effective. The threat and that ominous look in his eyes had chased her away like a frightened kitten.

Although the danger had passed, Roxie couldn’t shake the feeling that something was still not quite settled about the whole affair. She mentally replayed everything that had happened that night, trying to find the missing detail. When he’d asked, she’d given him the alias Roxanne Smith. Okay, it was a pathetic alias, but it still left her virtually anonymous. And just as a precaution, she’d driven Tessa’s car. Not that she had any expectation he would attempt to follow her. After all, she’d left the money on the table.

Finally deciding the unease was due more to paranoia and fatigue than anything legitimate, Roxie decided to pack it in for the night. Her eyes were red-rimmed with exhaustion. Her back ached from sitting forward over the keyboard. Her stomach was crying for attention.

She passed through the double doors and waved at the young security guard sitting in the booth on the far side of the lot.

“Wait up, Ms. Sanchez!” The guard stood, and called out to her across the lot like he did most nights. “I’ll walk you to your car.”

“Don’t bother, Trey. I’m fine.” She realized in the time it would take her chivalrous hero to reach her that she could almost be in her car and on the way out of the parking lot.

The young man seemed to hesitate for a moment before slipping back into his booth. “Have a good night.”

“You, too.” Roxie took her time crossing the large, empty lot. It was a particularly clear night, and even with the city lights, many bright stars were still visible in the sky. She felt a soft breeze whip across the area, as several loose ringlets of curly hair tickled her face. There was no hurry as she contemplated her planned light dinner of antipasto salad and rolls.

She passed by a car, a large jalopy whose color and make were both hard to distinguish. She knew that it was Trey’s prize possession, as many nights he’d described in vivid detail his intentions for restoring the old vehicle. Roxie glanced at the metal mess knowing his hopes were in vain, but decided she was not the one to crush his dreams.