Mine To Protect (Mine #6)(47)

Criminal.

Victor strode inside the casino. Night had fallen, the perfect time to launch their rescue bid. All of the FBI agents he needed were in place for this operation. And, despite Cain Blair’s fury, the FBI had swooped in, taking over jurisdiction in this case.

The Vine was no low end casino. It was a place that tailored to the wealthy. From the gleaming marble floor beneath his feet to the massive chandelier over his head—every inch of the place screamed money.

A lot of it.

Money that he and his team knew hadn’t exactly come from legal sources.

“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” Victor murmured. His gaze cut to her and shit, for a moment, he could only stare.

He’d thought Zoe was beautiful. He’d known she was beautiful. But tonight…tonight her long, dark hair tumbled around her shoulders. Make-up made her eyes smolder and her red lips gleam.

And her body…

Holy f*ck. He’d had no idea the red dress would look so amazing on her. It hugged her body so perfectly. It was a dress that made him hard and desperate.

One that made him…

Want her. More than ever.

He wanted to forget the mission. Forget the whole freaking end-goal. He wanted to take her out of there. To just vanish with her.

To vanish, while she still looked at him as if he were some kind of hero. When Victor knew he was far, far from that.

“I’m ready.” Her lips curved upward, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes. The diamond earrings glittered on her ear lobes. Her listening device wasn’t activated, not yet. Per his order. He’d shown her how to turn it on, though. A quick depression to activate. Another to turn the transmitter off.

When the time was right, he’d get her to use those earrings.

Victor knew the video cameras in that place were running. He saw the small security devices strategically located throughout the casino. Victor was sure that he and Zoe would be catching attention very soon.

In this place, the right people would know exactly who she was.

And what she was worth.

Her arm was wrapped around his. She walked beside him, poised, confident, breath-takingly sexy.

“You have the knife, right?” Victor asked her as they began to climb the long, spiral staircase that led to the second level of the casino. A giant, glittering Christmas tree—had to be at least twenty feet tall—stood at the base of that staircase.

“Yes,” she said, her voice husky and soft. “For at least the tenth time, I have the knife. It’s hidden in my bra.”

He almost smiled. His crew was listening to every word that he said, thanks to the device that he wore. Other agents and cops were already inside the casino. In fact, he’d just caught a glimpse of Cain, looking calm and relaxed as he lifted a glass of champagne and flirted with a scantily-clad waitress.

They reached the top of the stairs. He saw a security guard watching them, a man wearing a light gray suit coat who stared at Zoe with narrowed eyes.

“Whatever happens,” Victor said, “we stay together.”

He made his way to the craps table. Zoe was at his side. He made a show of kissing her hand right before he put down a bet. When he won, instantly doubling his money, Victor smiled broadly at the crowd around him. “She’s my good luck charm.”

He set up another bet. Kissed her hand once more, and reached for the dice…

Another win.

The group at the table cheered. Zoe was silent and the guard who’d been watching him… the guy was on the move. The guard touched his ear piece and spoke softly as he closed in on Victor.

Guess it’s show time.

Because he did love a good game, Victor threw the dice once more. Only this time, he lost. While the group murmured sympathetically, Victor just smiled. “The house has the advantage.” But not for long.

The guard tapped his shoulder. “Sir, may I have a moment?”

Zoe stiffened next to him.

Once more, Victor caught her hand. He kissed her knuckles and gave her fingers a little squeeze. It’s okay, baby. I have this. You can trust me.

He wasn’t going to let her down. When he’d had Zoe in bed with him, safe in his arms, his mind had finally cleared and he’d realized what he needed to do.

Somehow, someway, he was going to keep her at his side. When the smoke cleared from this case, he wouldn’t lose her. He couldn’t. Zoe mattered. Simple fact.

Zoe. Mattered.

“Sir?” The guard pressed.

Victor glanced at him. “You guys have a rule here against losing?”

The guard’s expression was tense. “You’ve been invited to the VIP lounge.” His gaze cut to Zoe. “You and the lovely lady.”

“VIP, huh?” He curled his arm around Zoe’s waist and brought her in closer to him. Victor was wired with the smallest of devices, and he knew that both the FBI guys and Cain’s crew would be hearing every word uttered right then. “How can we pass up on an invitation like that one?”

The guard’s expression never changed. “You can’t.”

No, he hadn’t thought that they could.

The guard turned on his heel and marched toward the elevator bank on the right.

“Not very friendly, is he?” Zoe murmured.

“I don’t think friendliness is high on his priority list.” He didn’t hurry after the guy. Victor just took his time strolling casually through the crowd. Keeping Zoe close.