Page 33 of Jackpot Joker

With my cup in hand, I head back to my living room, planning on cuddling up with a blanket and watching whatever hockey game is on television tonight. Perhaps watching grown men beat the crap out of each other will help put me in a better mood.

I snuggle onto my couch and reach for my blanket, only to find it’s also not where I thought I left it. My brain and eyes are at war with each other. According to my brain, last night I folded the blanket and put it on the back of the couch, but my eyes tell me there’s no way I could have because it’s crumpled up on the recliner.

Snagging my blanket, I wrap it around myself and take a sip of my coffee before turning on the TV and finding a game. Of course, living in Las Vegas means the Venom game is the first one I find, and I groan at the sight of Penny’s ex-boyfriend. Flicking through a few more channels, I finally decide to watch the New York teams face off when my phone starts to ring.

“Hey, Pen,” I answer with a smile.

“Hey! Just checking in on you. Was this week at work any better?”

I can’t help the groan that bubbles out of me.

“Oh no!” Penny whines. “What happened now?”

My best friend listens intently as I go over everything that went down at work this week, though I avoid telling her about my visit to Inferno with Dario. “And to top it off, Pen, I think I’m going crazy.”

“What do you mean?”

I glance around my living room and look back at the kitchen. “Something feels very off in my condo. Things aren’t where I thought I put them.”

“It sounds like you’re seriously stressed, Jaz. Maybe this weekend you could find something, or someone, to help you relax.”

My brows furrow. “Please stop.”

“Jaz, I’m serious. You need something to help you feel good. I’m pretty sure you have a handsome Italian man there who would love to give you a hand.”

“I’m hanging up,” I threaten, and Penny cackles, knowing my words aren’t sincere. “Dario is one of the sources of my stress; I can’t imagine him being able to actually relieve me of any.”

Penny sighs. “Well, you’re going to have to do something before you drive yourself crazy. Have you made any friends? Could you go somewhere with one of them?”

No, I haven’t made any friends. I work all day, every day, and I’m not there to be besties with anyone.

“I’m going to take your silence as a no,” Penny says, then huffs a breath. “Go get a massage. Get your nails done. Gamble away your life savings and stuff your face at a buffet. You live in Las Vegas now, go sin a little.”

I shake my head. “I love you, Pen.”

“I love you, too. Now go out and kick ass. Let everyone know my best friend is the most awesome person there.”

We say our goodbyes, and I glance over at the screen to see two men tangled up in one another. Maybe getting tangled up with someone wouldn’t be a bad idea, but I wouldn’t know the first place to start.

I take another sip of my coffee, then pull out my laptop to see where the singles of Sin City meet up. When nothing pops up, I lean back and rest my head against the back of the couch. My eyes close, and a sharply dressed man with dark hair and features begins to appear in my mind. Opening my nightstand drawer, I slip out the card I reluctantly placed there, then dial the number.

“Miss Baker, correct?” I turn to see a huge man in a multi-thousand-dollar suit strutting my way. This man is downright sinful, and he bears a striking resemblance to the man who is a pain in my ass.

“That’s me,” I say with a smile. “You must be Mr. Caruso. Well, one of the Mr. Carusos. ”

He takes my hand in his, and I notice the multiple rings he wears on his fingers. “You can call me Gio. My brother has told me great things about you.”

The spot between my legs flutters at the mention of Dario, but I try to ignore it. I may be in his family’s business, but I am not here for him. Looking back at Gio, it’s easy for me to pick up the differences between the men. While they both have dark hair, the man in front of me is beginning to gray. I imagine when it completely turns, he will be the most handsome silver fox this side of the Rockies. While Dario is always in lighter attire, giving him an angelic look, every stitch of Gio’s suit is solid black, and he looks downright dangerous. It’s as though he’s after a medal for the most stylish ninja. His thick muscles tell me he would probably have the skills to obtain the gold.

“I wouldn’t believe everything your brother says,” I mutter, but Gio hears and laughs.

“Trust me, Miss Baker, I don’t.” He looks around the lobby. “Dario isn’t here, though, if that’s why you came to visit.”

I swallow down the lump in my throat. “Oh, no. I came to blow off some steam. He gave me a tour of the place earlier this week, and it was very impressive. I thought I’d swing by for a visit.” I lean in, placing my hand to the side of my face like I’m about to divulge all the secrets of the world. “I even prefer it over Angelo.”

A devastating smile spreads across his lips. “Can’t say I don’t love the sound of that. I appreciate a woman with superior tastes. Here,” he says, extending his arm, “allow me to take you to the casino.”

A small gasp escapes my lungs as I realize I have to admit to Dario’s brother exactly why I’m here tonight. He cocks his head in concern before a knowing grin creeps upon his handsome face. “Ah. Unless you planned on blowing off steam somewhere else in this place?”