“Neither am I. I don’t agree. I kind of like it.” Her lips tightened. “But I don’t like him seeing you in it. I don’t want you there at all.” She held up her hand as Lara opened her lips. “I’ve given up trying to dissuade you. You shouldn’t be going. Mallory came by and told me that Tanner had assigned him to take care of me this evening and that I shouldn’t worry. That means Rennell will be at that casino to back up any play Tanner makes. He doesn’t need you.”

“He needs me,” she said quietly. “Because nothing will happen if I’m not there.”

“And that doesn’t sound bad to me, either.”

Lara sat down on the bed. “I trust him. He’s not going to let anything happen to me, Maria.”

“If he does, I’ll cut his heart out,” Maria said.

“That will keep him in line,” Lara said dryly.

“I hope so.” Then Maria pulled Lara close. “Take care,” she said huskily. “Don’t let that son of a bitch Volkov do anything to you. I’d have to go after him myself.” Then she pushed her away. “Get out of here. I have to get back to my computer.”

“I’m going. I’ll see you after the game.” She forced herself not to look back as she went out the door and down the staircase.

“Beautiful.” Tanner was standing at the foot of the staircase dressed in his tuxedo. He reached out and touched her damp cheek as she reached him. “Am I supposed to ignore this?”

“Yes, it’s nothing. Maria was upset.”

“But not you?” He answered himself. “Of course not, this is just another Trial to you. Piece of cake.” He paused. “You could skip it. I could wing it.”

“No, you couldn’t. You’re not nearly as distracting as I am.” She grimaced. “I’ve held the bastard in thrall since I was eleven years old.” She forced a smile. “But you’d better make sure there’s a poker handy.”

“There will be. Not the kind you used on him before.” He took a deck of cards from his jacket pocket. “But it might do just as much damage…”

Chapter
15

The Mountain Casino was located on a road off the interstate deep in the mountains. The casino itself was a large building but totally unimpressive, even shabby. Still, the mountainous landscape on which it rested was rugged and powerful. Rough, rocky slopes led up to a high ridge that towered over the boulders below. The area was isolated, and even the rocky parking lot looked a little deserted. Tanner made no attempt to enter the lot but parked across the road some distance away.

“It doesn’t look like a happening place to spend an evening, does it?” she asked lightly. “I can see why any tourist would miss it entirely.”

“I think that’s why it attracted Volkov,” Tanner said. “You said he liked to be the center of attention, but I’d bet he also liked to have his own space. It’s all in what you do with the space.”