The door shook once more and the woman whimpered as her head thudded against the thin wood. “Now get out,” Richard snarled.

“Let go of me,” she protested. “I’m going. I’m going!”

“Yes, you are. And I’m going to escort you out, to make sure you don’t steal anything on your way.”

Their footsteps faded, along with their arguing voices, and Cade let out a sigh of relief. Opening the door enough to confirm he was alone, he slipped out of the closet and into the bathroom, where he emptied his bladder, pulled on a pair of surgical gloves, then waited for Richard to return.

He heard the front door slam and Richard’s muttering as he stomped back into his bedroom. Cade peeked around the bathroom door in time to watch Richard slump onto his bed, loosening the tie on his robe. “Motherfucking bitch.”

Cade stepped out of the bathroom. “Yes, she was.”

Richard sat bolt upright. “What the hell? What are you doing here, King?”

Scott King was the name Cade had given Richard when he’d applied for the casino’s head of security position. King, because its original owner wasn’t using it. Because the original owner was long dead, at Cade’s hand. King, because the irony always made him smile.

If good old Dad could only see me now. Cade’s smile seemed to relax Richard a bit. “I’m going to kill you,” Cade said cheerfully.

Richard gave him a sour look and pulled his robe tighter. “That’s not funny. How did you get in here?”

“You gave me a key, remember?”

“So that you could feed the damn cat!”

“And water the plants. And bring in the mail. Et cetera.” Cade pulled a velvet tie from his pocket and had Richard’s wrists bound before the man could react. It had taken years to perfect that move, especially while wearing gloves, but the practice had been well worth it. “Looks like you shouldn’t have trusted me.”

Richard stared at him. “What the fuck?” He yanked at his bond. “Untie me. Now.”

“Sorry,” Cade said, then paused, considering the word. “No, I’m not. I’m not sorry at all. But you will be.” He forced Richard’s hands over his head and secured the bindings to the wrought-iron headboard.

Richard seemed to finally realize that Cade meant business. He jerked, but Cade was already restraining his ankles the same way as he had Richard’s hands.

“Stop this,” Richard demanded. “What is this? What the fuck are you doing?”

“I told you. I’m killing you.”

Richard stopped his thrashing, the color draining from his face. “What? Why?” When Cade didn’t answer, Richard sucked in a huge breath, preparing to scream. Ready for this, Cade stuffed a gag in his boss’s mouth.