Chapter One

Smoke filled the low-lit room. Neon lights bounced in every direction. Saul lifted his whiskey to his lips. His gaze never wavered from the man wearing nothing but a jockstrap who danced inches away. Every morsel of his body was built to tempt weak men. Saul hated he could be counted among those numbers. He couldn't recall ever seeing anyone so perfectly formed.

The guy straddled Saul's lap, obviously fishing for more money. Saul wasn't just anyone. He refused to be treated as such.

"What's your name?"

A fake smile stretched the man's lips. "Eclipse."

Saul shook his head. He didn't lower his intensity. Saul didn't shrink himself for anyone. "What's your real name?"

The guy's smile faltered. "That's against the rules."

Saul held up five one-hundred-dollar bills. "I'll make it worth your while."

A hint of bitterness touched his features. "Not every part of me is for sale."

Saul didn't back down. "I don't want to buy you. I have an honest reason to ask. The money is because I can."

Warm lips touched his ear. "It's Case." It was obvious he didn't want to risk being overheard. Saul understood. Keeping his identity meant keeping his safety.

With a subtle nod, letting him know he had heard, Saul tucked the bills into Case's jockstrap. "I'm Saul."

"I know."

Saul knew he knew. Everyone did. What Saul wanted to know was why Case was brave enough to dance for him… or dumb enough, considering how one looked at things. While people might not know everything about Saul, they knew he made people vanish. That was enough to make them steer clear.

"So, Saul, what was your honest reason for asking?"

Saul set his drink aside. He grabbed Case's hips to stop him from moving before hauling him closer. "I want to ask the real you on a genuine date."

A huge smile exploded across Case's face. It was the real him. Breathtaking. Captivating. "Breaking rule number two, I see."

Saul smirked. "I won't insult you by offering money this time."

Something he couldn't decipher moved across Case's face. Again, he leaned close and touched his lips against Saul's ear. "Two a.m., out back. There's an all-night diner within walking distance. We walk. This is nonnegotiable."

Saul got it. He was a stranger. Case took a tremendous risk on him. "I agree to your terms."

Case slipped from his lap.

Before he escaped, Saul ran his finger along the inside of a strap of his underwear. His gaze never wavered from holding Case's stare. He slid more money into the slinky piece. The way Case stared back nearly scorched his skin. He had chosen well for the night. Case would burn him to the ground.

Case's heart beat so fast, he could barely breathe. Saul Gabris. Whoa. He had been warned to steer clear of the Greek god with eyes so light, they were almost frightening. Actually, everything about the guy was terrifying. Case wanted to kick his own ass for handing over his real name. Partly, he had done so because he was too scared to deny the guy. Mostly, he had told him because he was fascinated. The slight accent. The olive skin. Goddamn. Case had slowly danced his way a little closer all night. Then he was on the guy's lap. That was actually against club rules, but meh. No one cared. He had no regrets. Saul had stuffed twelve hundred dollars in his jockstrap. It had been his highest earning night since he started there a month ago, especially for a Tuesday.

"That was fucking stupid."

The harsh words from his cocktail server roommate caught Case off guard. Case fought a wince. Lonnie had specifically said Saul was off limits. It seemed the last dancer to catch his eye had left with Saul one night and never resurfaced. Case figured, for all these people really knew, that dancer now lived as part of a concubine somewhere. Or, hell, maybe the dude had decided this wasn't the life for him after all. Dancers left without looking back all the time.

"Maybe it was dumb, but it was lucrative. I can pay rent this month."

Lonnie's dark brown gaze bored into him for a moment before Lonnie shook his head. "When you disappear, I'll make sure they use a good picture of you on the news. Not your driver's license or any such nonsense."

Case snorted. Lonnie was so fucking dramatic. "Okay. I appreciate that."

"Should I delete your browser history too?"

Case winked. "Don't bother with that bullshit. I'm shameless enough not to care."

A smile exploded across Lonnie's face, easing the pressure in Case's chest. He didn't like it when Lonnie was mad at him. They had been friends for a long time. He was basically all Case had.

"To be fair, the guy is on Atlantic City's most wanted bachelor's list and also the list of richest people in the city."

Lonnie's words had Case fighting the urge to look Saul's way again. He hadn't known either of those lists existed, but that was wild. It was a crazy thought to think he had caught someone like that's eye. Extremely flattering, actually. The moment Lonnie went back to focusing on his job, Case lost the battle against himself. His gaze slid back to Saul. The guy still stared. His intensity sucked the air from the room. There was a real chance Case might turn up dead. Damn, he had a feeling he would enjoy the ride.

At two, Saul walked into the alleyway, wondering too late if this was a setup. No one danced for him. Yet Case had—supposedly—given Saul his real name and agreed to a date. The guy was probably playing him. Men liked to toy with him. He probably wouldn't show. As soon as the thought ran through his mind, the back door to the club opened and Case stepped out. He looked every bit as sexy in jeans and a t-shirt as he had in a jockstrap. A smile lit his face as soon as he spotted Saul. An odd, warm sensation spread throughout his chest.

"Hey."

Saul smiled at the greeting. "Hey." The word felt so strange on his tongue, making him realize how rarely he greeted anyone. "You look full of energy for someone who's danced all night."

"Maybe I have tons of stamina." Case winked.

Every word and deed proved how unafraid Case was. He found the man's bravery sexy as hell. Saul motioned toward the mouth of the alley. "Shall we?"

Case tossed a backpack over one shoulder and headed for the sidewalk. Saul watched his every move. Confidence practically vibrated from him. Saul's fascination grew by the second. The guy's short-cropped dark brown hair ruffled a bit in the warm summer night breeze. His wide shoulders had his shirt fighting for its life. He had that sexy issue where his muscular thighs made his jeans too loose at the waist. Saul stared at his ass. He already knew what it looked like bare. Saul wanted to see it again under more private circumstances.

When they reached the sidewalk, they fell into step side by side. Case looked his way. He had sweet eyes. Saul hadn't decided their color quite yet. They were almost a dark gray—like a stormy day. "Tell me about yourself."

Saul understood it was a get-to-know-you demand. He just never knew what to say under these circumstances. Still, he tried to please him. "What would you like to know?"

"Everything." Case managed to sound extremely interested with a single word.

Still, Saul didn't know where to start. He chose some basics. "Let's see. I'm thirty-eight and run a string of hotel casinos in the area. I'm unmarried."

"That's good, since you asked me on a date."

Case had a way of making him smile. "True. What about you?"

"Me? I'm not married either."

Saul laughed. "That's good, but I meant for you to tell me about yourself."

The sexy soft chuckle that slipped from Case let Saul know he had been fucking with him. "I'm twenty-six. Believe it or not, I played pro football for two years before being released from the team. I was never one of those guys who made the big bucks, but since I had entered the draft two years into college, I didn't really have any other skills. So, unfortunately, I fucked around for a few years, running through what money I'd made, feeling absolutely certain I'd eventually get picked up by another team. It never happened, so here I am."

"Unmarried and going on sketchy dates," Saul finished for him.

Case laughed. His eyes swam with happiness as his gaze swung Saul's way. "Are you sketchy?"

Saul opened the door to the diner for Case. He held his stare as he passed. "Absolutely, and I don't doubt for a second you've been warned against me."

"Maybe." With that confession hanging between them, Case headed for an empty booth. He slid into one side. Saul slid into the other. Case grabbed one of the upright menus behind the napkin dispenser and handed it to Saul before choosing one for himself.

Saul watched his every move like the predator he was. "What were you told?"

Case's gaze lifted from the menu. Yes. His eyes were gray. To Saul's surprise, he didn't dodge the question. "That I needed to stay away from you. You're dangerous and the last guy who danced for you disappeared."

A bark of laughter burst from Saul. All those things were true, but also hilarious to hear about himself.

"Have I heard wrong?"

Saul swiped at his eyes. He fought not to laugh again. "No. All that is true. I just had a hilarious image of someone whispering about me making a dancer vanish. That's actually priceless."

Case's smile never slipped. He obviously wasn't the least bit scared. "Do you plan to explain?"

"I don't know." Saul leaned closer, lowering his voice. "Do you want me to ruin the lore?"

Case's body swayed his way. Wickedness flashed in his eyes. Saul expected anything at this point. "Your eyes are beautiful. I'm not sure I'll hear every word from staring at them, but sure. Ruin your legend."

Fuck. He was the dangerous one. "Scott, the dancer in question, is a server at one of my casinos now. He walked away from dancing the second he realized he could make twice the tips for half the work."

"Hmm. Well," Case said, sounding pragmatic. "That makes a hell of a lot more sense to me."

"What can I get you guys to drink?"

Case looked the server's way. "Sweet tea."

"Just water," Saul said, adding his order.

She glanced between them. "Are you two ready to order, or do you need a few more minutes?"

Case looked his way with raised eyebrows.

"I'm ready if you are." He had been here thousands of times and always got the same thing.

Case focused on the waitress again. "The number three scrambled with grilled chicken."

Saul couldn't stop smiling. His face hurt from the unfamiliar gesture. "I'll have the same." He knew it was a prevalent diner in the east, but the meal wasn't a common choice of food mixtures. It seemed they had similar tastes.

Once they were alone, Case returned to their conversation. "We've established you didn't make anyone vanish."

"I didn't say that."

Case snorted, but otherwise ignored the comment. "So, tell me why you're considered dangerous."

Saul saw no reason to lie. He was untouchable, after all. "What do you know about casino ownership?"

"You own the casinos?"

Saul shook his head. "I'm not the owner, but I'm a step below that. That's close enough to be cut from the same cloth. I'm trusted enough to be responsible for three hotels here. You didn't answer my question."

"Sorry. You threw me off for a second. Let's see." Case looked thoughtful. "I suppose I don't know anything, really. It's not something I've thought about. I mean, people joke casinos are run by the mob and will make you disappear if…" Realization obviously dawned on Case. He blinked. "Wait. Are you saying that's true?"

Saul wasn't dumb enough to answer that. "Surely, the mob has died out by now. What are your plans for this weekend?"

For a moment, Case looked as if he might push. Thankfully, he let the subject change stand. "Working. Weekends are the best nights for tips. I can't afford to miss those days."

"How much do you make on a typical weekend?" It was a common question. Saul hoped it wasn't one that offended Case.

"Usually around three grand. Sometimes more. Sometimes less."

"I'll pay you five to take the weekend off and spend it with me."

Case went still. It looked as if he didn't breathe. Saul had a bad feeling he had just given Case the wrong impression. He held his breath and waited for sweet tea to fly in his face. At this point, anything might happen.

Case's mind raced. Had he just been propositioned—like a whore? He didn't know what to say. Anger was his first reaction, but then again, he really hated stripping. It was exhausting. He doubted anyone realized exactly how hard of work it was. His back hurt and his hips were killing him. He was tired of lurid looks and propositions. Case had only been at it a month, and he already knew he wouldn't last long. Yet he was used to having money. Being broke chafed when he had been so close to those pro football millions. He hated the idea of a nine to five that wouldn't even afford him a place of his own. Case wasn't sure how deep his pride went at this point.

"Your silence proves you've misunderstood my offer. I only meant to free your time for me. Not to imply a financial exchange."

While Case's shoulders relaxed, he hated himself for being almost disappointed. Maybe what he needed was a financial exchange. "Oh. What did you have in mind?"

Saul's features relaxed. He smiled. "There's a charity event that takes place in Vegas once a year. It's a weekend-long thing, raising money for child victims of sex trafficking. It's a very important cause for the owner of my establishments. I'm required to go. There's nothing I hate more than going alone."

To be honest, that sounded boring as fuck, but it was Vegas. He could definitely make the best of that. Plus. His gaze slid down Saul's body. Fuck, he was fine. "That sounds like a worthy cause."

"I would provide everything, of course."

Their food arrived.

Case flashed the woman a grateful smile. He knew how awful it was to be on his feet all night, taking care of everyone else. "Thank you."

She winked. "Can I get you anything else?"

He looked Saul's way.

Saul was focused on his plate. Case assumed that was a no. "I think we're good."

She patted his shoulder and moved along.

The moment they were alone again, Saul's sexy eyes were back to staring at him. "You don't have to answer tonight if you need time to think."

Case hesitated, trying not to look as desperate for that five grand as he felt. He took a steadying breath and counted to five inside his head. "I'd love to go."

The satisfaction that touched Saul's features scared him a little. All he had was Saul's word that the missing dancer now worked for his casino. The guy had basically confessed to being part of the mafia. Goddamn. He was dumb.

Saul ate as he pulled out his phone. He unlocked it and passed it Case's way. "Give me your info."

Case tried not to look as nervous as he felt as he created a contact for himself, address and all. "Done." Their fingers brushed as he handed back the phone. Their gazes locked at the caress. Saul's mouth lifted in one corner. Case had to take a breath. In a single glance, he knew Saul would do the dirtiest of things. Case wanted it. He hadn't forgotten the way Saul had touched him beneath the strap of his underwear. He was bold. Confident. He knew he could have Case.

"I sent myself a text so I can save your number. I hope that's okay."

"Good boy."

Case immediately took a bite to hide his reaction. Goddamn. His nipples fucking hardened at that one praise. He already felt the vibration of the words against his skin. Case was in so much trouble. He was here for every second.