Guilty Pleasures (30 page)

“Let his wife worry about him. I'm pretty sure that he'll be with her if he wants his end,” Jake said. “In the meantime, Jinx, you get busy with the FBI files. Rita, get ready for this evening. Knowing what I know about Suarez, he's a hard gambler. He'll be in the casino.”

Rita nodded.

“Eva, you keep an eye on the rooms, let us know the comings and goings. The minute it's empty, let me know.”

“What are you planning
” Eva asked.

“When they come out, I'm going in.”

*   *   *

Rita returned to the cabin she shared with Jinx to prepare for the evening ahead.

Jinx came in behind her, closed and locked the door.

“Things are kinda sticky,” he said, pulling off his vest.

“Hmmm.”

He glanced at her. “You okay
”

“Fine.”

Jinx crossed the room, sat down on the chair, then took off his shoes.

“Something on your mind, Rita
”

She turned, looked at him for a moment. How could she tell him that she was having wild fantasies about Xavier Suarez, that looking just once into his eyes had stirred up the beast in her, clouded her thoughts
Of course she couldn't.

“Just everything, I guess,” she finally said. “So much could go wrong.”
You have no idea.

Jinx got up to stand in front of her. He pushed a stray lock of hair away from her cheek. “It's gonna be cool. We're gonna be rich, and then … me and you are gonna live large.” He grinned, that same devilish grin his older brother had perfected.

She forced a smile. “I know you're right.” She kissed him lightly on the lips. “I better shower and change.” She turned away and went into the bath.

Moments later, Jinx heard the rush of water. He sighed heavily. How long had he carried a thing around in his heart for Rita
He knew the kind of woman she was. She was a chameleon, changing at will. Not only her appearance, but her emotions as well.

Some days he honestly believed that he was the one who could settle her down. Other days he didn't know who she was. He'd see that faraway look in her eyes, like she was staring right through him. It was the look she had now—as if he didn't really matter, as if he were just another mark.

He'd been around when Rita had taken many of her romantic spills. He'd been the one to pick her up and put the pieces back together again. Like that time she and Eva went to Jamaica. He didn't know what actually happened; they never said. But he knew it was bad. She'd stayed away from him for weeks after her return. And when she resurfaced, she offered no explanation. She was quiet and reserved, often crying in her sleep. But he'd stayed, told her that whatever it was they'd get through it together.

Then one day she was the old Rita again, full of fun and laughter, looking for her next adventure.

The shower water cut off. When she stepped out of the bathroom, barely noticing him, his bad feeling only intensified. And his gut told him it had to do with Xavier Suarez.

Rita dressed in silence while Jinx worked on getting into the FBI daily logs. Periodically he glanced her way, hoping to catch a glimpse of what was going on in her head. But if there was one thing he knew about Rita, it was that you couldn't push her.

She turned, putting the diamond stud in her ear. “I'll see you later. I'm going to head up to the casino. See what I can see.” She picked up her beaded purse from the top of the dresser.

“Sure. I'll be up soon.” He looked at her for a moment. Rita was a stunning woman by anyone's standards. Both she and Eva were close ringers for the young actress Dorothy Dandridge, from physical makeup to their finely angled features and cool brown complexions. They could make any man crazy. “Are we okay
” he asked.

She looked down, opened her purse, fishing for her cigarettes. “Of course.” She didn't meet his eyes when she replied. She snapped her purse shut, blew him a perfunctory kiss, and walked out.

Jinx slowly shook his head before turning his attention back to the computer. Yeah, she could make a man crazy, all right.

*   *   *

Rita stepped off the elevator, emerging on the casino floor. She took in the swelling crowd, the glitter, the noise, the flashing lights. A rush of energy heated her insides. She felt lucky and went straight to the blackjack table. No one said she couldn't enjoy herself.

She found a seat and was dealt in the next hand. Blackjack was her game; she knew how to call and bluff with the best of them. But what was most important, she knew how to count cards.

She won the first hand, the second, the third, the fourth. Her winnings piled up in front of her, and she felt unstoppable. A crowd grew behind her, cheering her on.

Eva noticed the commotion and made her way to where the crowd had gathered. As she squeezed her way in between bodies, her heart jerked in her chest when she saw that all the attention was focused on Rita.

She muttered a curse under her breath. There was no way to get her out of there without causing more attention. This was not what they were supposed to do. Attracting attention, sticking out in the crowd was not the plan.
Damnit, Rita.

Eva spotted movement on the opposite side of the table from Rita.
It was Suarez.
He whispered something in the dealer's ear. Eva held her breath. The gentleman sitting to the right of the dealer vacated his seat, and Suarez took his place. He looked across the table at Rita, his dark eyes unreadable, but his half smile was unmistakable. He was going to challenge her.

The dealer dealt the next hand. Suarez lit a cigar and placed it in the ashtray next to him as he looked at his hand. His heavy lids rose; his eyes locked on Rita. She smiled and then turned her attention back to her cards.

The first hand went to Rita. The next to Suarez. The next two went to Rita. Suarez never batted an eye. He took a long pull from his cigar. The crowd was utterly silent.

“Winner take all,” Suarez said, his accent as smooth and intoxicating as a good liqueur.

Rita arched a brow, surveyed her winnings. “I like a man who takes chances.” She looked at the dealer. “Deal the cards and don't forget to treat the lady right.” She pushed her stack of chips into the center of the table and then lit a cigarette.

Eva watched in fascination as Rita played her hand. She was either brilliant or damned lucky.

Suarez shifted the cigar from the left side of his mouth to the right as he studied his hand. His signature block diamond pinkie ring flashed with his every movement. He removed the cigar and put it in the ashtray. He looked across the table at Rita. She smiled.

Suarez slowly placed his cards on the table one by one. Ten of diamonds. Five of clubs. Five of hearts. Twenty.

All eyes turned to Rita. Jack of spades. Queen of spades. Ace of spades. Twenty-one.

A gasp rippled through the crowd.

Suarez's cheeks flushed, and then he began to laugh, a deep hearty laugh. “Beaten by a woman.” He pushed up from his seat. “That must make you very special.” He looked at her and at his losses one last time, turned, and disappeared into the crowd.

Rita breathed in slowly, the rush of adrenaline tapering off.

“Do you wish to play again
” the dealer asked.