He generally rose at ten or eleven in the morning and dressed. Then he’d sip his coffee and walk through the various rooms of the casino, checking on every nook and cranny. He loved this place.

This morning he lingered a bit longer over his morning routine. He was tired, the late nights with Florence catching up with him. She was worth every yawn and grumble the next day, however. He couldn’t get enough of her. Adventuresome and bold, she wasn’t afraid of him. She challenged him in unexpected ways, like her willingness to experiment and asking questions about different preferences.

He nodded at a maid as she polished the brass on the main bar. “Good morning, Adeline.”

She paused and blinked up at him. “Good morning, sir.”

“Very fine work you’re doing. Thank you.”

“Oh.” She cast a wary glance at the railing. “It’s my job, sir.”

A hand landed on Clay’s arm. It was Jack, who’d appeared seemingly out of nowhere. “Yes, very nice work. You may carry on, Adeline.” He began towing Clay across the room. When they were out of earshot, he said, “Stop being nice to the staff. It makes everyone nervous.”

Clay frowned. “What does that mean?”

They came to a halt. “It means that your mood swings have everyone on tenterhooks around here. We’re not used to seeing you smitten.”

“I am not smitten,” he scoffed. Jack made a face that communicated his skepticism on that statement. Clay decided to leave it alone. Instead, he asked, “Am I not allowed to be moderately happy for even a few days?”

“Neither of us has time for this conversation,” Jack said. “Duncan Greene is upstairs in your office.”

Christ. Clay’s body tightened, every nerve on alert. He’d expected this, only not so soon. “And when were you going to tell me?”

“He just arrived. I was coming to tell you when I found you scaring Adeline.”

“No doubt he’s learned of the building plans filed with the city.”

“No doubt.”

If Clay hadn’t been holding a china cup he would’ve rubbed his hands together. God Almighty, he was looking forward to this exchange. “Then I best give him the bad news.”

“Want me to come along?”

“That’s unnecessary. You have a lot to do and I don’t expect this to last long. He’ll threaten me and then storm out.”

“Well, I’m not far if you need me.”

Clay clapped Jack on the shoulder, grateful for this man who always had his back, and then headed for the stairs. Anticipation slithered over his skin. These plans were years in the making, so much blood and sweat. Fighting and scraping. All with one goal in mind: to get his hands on Duncan Greene’s childhood home and destroy it.

How do you like having your life upended, Duncan?