Mine to Crave (Mine #4)(18)
Author: Cynthia Eden

It wasn’t need for just any soft, feminine body beneath his. It was a dark, aching need for her. Jasmine.

His head lifted. “He’s the one who sent you after me.”

She didn’t speak, but she stubbornly shook her head.

“The Arrow used to be another casino.” A rundown dump that needed new life. A spot that had been ripe for the picking. “Case wanted the place. I bought the casino before he could. Found out the SOB’s bid, and I took it.” When Vegas was supposed to be Case’s domain. Screw that shit. Drake took what he wanted.

And he’d wanted Vegas.

“I took what was his, and now he’s trying to take what’s mine.”

She gazed up at him with wide eyes.

“That’s why you told me to head down to New Orleans. He’s trying to take my casinos from me. The bastard thinks he can run me out of business.”

Her lips pressed together.

“Not happening.” He marched for the door. “No one takes what’s mine.”

“Can I…can I go now?”

“Go?” he repeated as he turned back to her.

Her hands twisted in front of her. “You think you know everything, so you don’t need me now.”

He stilled. “On the contrary, I think I need you very much.”

“I don’t understand.”

The woman’s eyes could bring a man to his knees.

But Drake bowed for no one.

“Good thing your bag is packed, princess, because we’ll be leaving for New Orleans soon.”

Her jaw dropped. “You’re taking me with you?”

“I wouldn’t dream of leaving you behind.”

Fear flashed in her eyes. “You should, though. You need to leave me.”

“No.” Because he had plans for Jasmine. So many plans. “I’m not letting you go.”

***

No one takes what’s mine.

Drake’s words echoed through Jasmine’s head. He’d sounded so fierce and determined.

But Drake was wrong. This wasn’t just about his casinos.

It was about his life.

Maybe…maybe if she played things just right, she’d survive what was coming.

Perhaps they both would.

Then Drake would think that she was worthy enough, then he’d help her. He’d—

“Coming?”

She schooled her expression before she glanced up. Drake was back in the doorway. The guy hadn’t gone far at all.

“You really should leave me behind.” She was trying to be fair. “I told you that before. You don’t want the kind of trouble I can bring to your life.”

“Ah, Jasmine, you don’t know the kind of trouble that I am.” He flashed her a tiger’s grin. “But you’ll be finding out. Very, very soon…”

A shiver slid down her spine.

***

He slipped into the Arrow. Headed inside as easily as could be. The security guards at the front of the place didn’t notice him—mostly because they thought he was one of them. Getting the guard’s uniform had been too easy.

He made his rounds, like a good security guard would. Then he went to the area that interested him the most.

“Heard there was some action here last night,” he murmured when he saw the two uniformed men near the vault.

One guard grunted. “Damn smoke bomb.”

This time, it wouldn’t just be about smoke.

But the guard to the right frowned at him. “You aren’t supposed to be here. You’re not part of the usual rotation.”

Ah, so security had been stepped up.

“Let me see your credentials,” that guard barked. “Because I don’t know you.”

Now both guards were eyeing him with suspicion.

He raised his hands. “You don’t know me because I’m the new guy on the team.” He flashed a friendly smile. “But don’t worry, I’m getting out of here. Just wanted to see where all the cash was kept. Curious, you know.”

His smile and easy attitude should have reassured them. But one of the guards was pulling out his radio. Dammit.

“I need the chief,” the guard snapped. “There’s some guy down here who won’t—”

“I’m already leaving,” he murmured as he edged away. Hell. This wasn’t part of his plan.

He turned his back, intent on getting out of there.

But one of the guards grabbed his shoulder.

He stiffened. “Wasn’t supposed to go down like this,” he murmured, but a smile pulled at his lips.

Sometimes, violence was the best answer.

He turned around and attacked.

Chapter Five

Jasmine had her nose pressed to the window as the plane landed.

“First time in New Orleans?” Drake asked her, curious. This woman carried so many secrets.

“First time on a private jet.” Her right hand was tight around the armrest. “And this plane is lush.” Her tone was admiring.

The plane bounced a bit as it landed.

Jasmine glanced his way. He wondered if she’d be afraid or if—

A wide smile winked her dimples. “And, yes, this is my first time in New Orleans, so I want to see everything.”

That smile was going to cause serious problems. Carefully, Drake shifted his position. A smile shouldn’t make him that aroused, that fast.

But hers did.

When they were clear, he unhooked his belt.

Jasmine began, “My bag—”

“It’s being taken care of.” Everything would be taken care of now.

Jasmine nearly skipped down the runway. An interesting trick, considering that she was wearing stilettos.

“I’ve heard this city is magic.” She was tugging on his arms. “I want to see the Quarter. I want to eat beignets at midnight.”

He pulled her to a stop. “It’s close to midnight now.” But New Orleans wouldn’t be sleeping. The jazz music would be drifting in the air, and the place would be alive with people filling the streets.

That smile was still on her face. The one that made him want to think she wasn’t a thief. That she was just a woman he desired.

But I know better.

He also knew how to get her to lower her guard.

“Can we get beignets?” Jasmine asked him quickly. “At that place along the riverfront? I’ve heard people talk about it.”

He nodded.

Her smiled beamed even more.

He didn’t speak again until they were in his car and his driver-slash-security detail-was leading them through the city.

“You know,” Drake finally mused as he carefully watched her, “most women get this excited over diamonds, not beignets.”