Read Luck of the Dragon (Entangled Covet) for Free Online Page A

resources: Joey’s never-ending gambling debts, the mob-backed enforcer, the jewel heist…
    But this man, with his money and easy kisses, was not on her short list of dependable folk—he was not even on her long list of scoundrels.
    He didn’t know her. Why would he help her?
    Sex.
    “Mr. Gerald, despite what you seem to think of me, I’m not for sale.” Her previous cursing and loss of control made her feel ashamed, trashy, and cheap. It was a flashback to the youth she had worked her whole life to escape.
    “Dr. De Luca…” Alec’s face tightened and his navy eyes glittered. He seemed frustrated by her refusal. “I want to help you. You’re obviously in some sort of trouble. I can fix it.”
    Did he already know about the card? Alarm pulsed up her throat, and she blinked hard to keep her eyes off his empty suit pocket. Why didn’t he call the police? Have her arrested? Hauled out to the desert for some Vegas-style justice…
    “I assure you, Mr. Gerald, I’m in no need of your assistance.” Her voice sounded sure. Lucy clasped her hands together in front of her stomach to fight the panic crawling up her spine when she thought of Gino and Joey’s plans.
    “Everyone is in need of help of some sort.” Alec smiled and reached a wide palm toward her. His handsome face softened in concern. His gesture was oddly gentle and sincere, and somehow kind, as if he knew she was in over her head and only wanted to help her.
    “I’m fine, really.” Lucy’s eyes swept the elegant room for other possible exits. Her abandoned drink sweated a water ring on his mahogany desk. She should have put a coaster down. That was rude, rude, rude…trashy and cheap.
    Holy Mary, Joseph, and Peter…get her out of this room.
    “Please, remember that you can come to me with anything . ” Alec kept his hands in his pockets and met her eyes, his gaze direct and unflinching. When she did not reply, he walked to the door and unlocked it with his thumbprint. Lock tumblers fell into place before he swung the door wide. “The elevator to the lobby is just outside.”
    Lucy lengthened her stride to catch up with him in front of the elevator doors. The doors hissed open revealing…nothing.
    No, there was glass. The setting sun glinted around the elevator corners, reflecting the seams. The Luxor pyramid head grinned below, and behind it the Mandalay Bay looked like an aluminum-foil Lego set. Vertigo spun Lucy’s head and she grabbed for Alec’s left arm.
    “It’s safe.” Alec smiled and closed his right hand over her fingers clutching his elbow. “I promise.” His touch was reassuring and solid. “Don’t be afraid.” He walked forward and turned around to face her, appearing as if he floated in the air.
    Lucy shook her head and backed up. The elevator was only big enough for two people, and though her mind knew it was an illusion, her heart screamed out, You will fall, stay back!
    “Ahh…I have issues with heights. I’ll go down the way I came up.”
    “It’s longer. Much longer.” He held both hands wide. “This elevator exits to the lobby.”
    The lobby with its ginormous exit to the street. She would be clear of the casino in minutes. She was tempted. And no one could stop Alec to alert him of a security breach. Lucy took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and stepped forward. Her ears popped as they immediately whisked downward.
    “See, that wasn’t so bad.” Alec stroked the back of her bare arm. His hand was warm against her frozen worry.
    The elevator beeped. “You can look now.”
    Lucy opened her eyes. The elevator doors slid apart, leading to the sparkling gold and jeweled lobby. She stepped forward onto hard, safe, Italian tiled ground. Her legs shook and she wobbled on her shoes.
    “Why would you have a glass elevator?” Her words squeaked like they needed more air in them.
    “Why not?” Alec put his hand under her elbow and led her through the bustle of the casino entry to a portico as big as her house.