‘You really have a warped brain. What do you propose? If this all goes tits up, you’ll have a job to fall back on. Okay, mate, have it your way. You will, anyway.’

Jake was worried Tony was becoming a workaholic. He lived and breathed the business. Even the female distractions he had didn’t seem to distract him that much. He loved the ladies and the ladies adored him, but Tony had a heart of stone. Jake knew he felt he had been let down by women for most of his life, starting with his mother, and as much as he was a control freak, he seemed wary of them.

It was a fair point, because all he had ever met were models wanting to promote their career, or actresses from the theatre and well-known porn stars, trying to get on the front pages to boost their reviews. It was all a bit sad, really. It seemed everyone wanted Tony Lambrianu, and the celebrity status he had acquired. He was in the newspapers, and he had been interviewed on television, talking about his clubs. Some of the male celebrities he knew and who seemed genuine had also mentioned to Tony the price of fame.

Tony went into the casino to see Graham. ‘Well, if it’s not my number one pupil,’ Graham said, and Tony blushed at the compliment.

‘How is everything?’ Tony walked towards the offices. He always liked to check the receipts for the evening’s takings himself, and he relied on the accountant to go through them with him.

‘Everything is fine, Tony, and business is booming, which I am sure you already know. It seems no one ever goes home. Thankfully, we have a twenty-four-hour licence.’

‘That table has dust on it. Get the cleaners to make this place spick and span, will you? Who is the cleaning firm that comes in?’

Graham informed him, while looking at Jake. He couldn’t see any dust; well, nothing major.

‘I’ll sort it; give me the telephone number.’ Tony took the telephone number of the cleaning company and put it in his pocket.

Graham waited to see if there was anything else Tony wanted. ‘I can always have a word, if you want me to, Tony. After all, that is my job.’

‘Tony,’ Jake half whispered in Tony’s ear. ‘You’re becoming obsessed. You and I seriously need to talk. Let Graham do his job; is he the manager or what?’

Jake felt Tony’s shoulders relax a little. He really did need to get away from it all for a while.

‘You’re right, Graham, it’s your job. I’ll leave it in your capable hands. Sorry, I said I wouldn’t poke my nose in, and I won’t, but if you need me, you know where I am.’ Tony gave a weak smile, and saw the relief on Graham’s face. ‘Jake and I are going on holiday for a week or so, possibly to Italy. Are you okay with that?’

‘Absolutely, Tony, and everything will be in order and here for you, when you get back.’