Stealing guests from the competition was a risky business. I needed to get them off the casino's property before somebody important recognized me and realized what I was doing. If they did, it could mean trouble for the Rock Bay, which would mean trouble for my boss, and a helluva lot of trouble for me.

And I doubted it would earn me that promotion.

Discretion was bread and butter in this business.

“Are you coming?” I asked, inclining my head toward the exit while hoping that neither man could see how nervous I was.

Aside from the fact that my future pretty much depended on getting them out of here and over to my casino, these two were so clearly out of my league that just talking to them had my heart racing. I knew I was pretty, but these guys...they weren't just attractive. They clearly had money and the sort of breeding that said they'd always had it. I could tell why Earl wanted me to hook them.

“Why would we come with you?” the shorter of the two asked, his mouth set in a belligerent line. “You've just ruined our night.”

“In order to build something great, you have to first break down what was there before.” I was fairly sure I'd read that on a fortune cookie a couple weeks ago. “Like cleansing your palate. I promise that your night will only get better from here on out.”

“Is that so?” The taller one spoke now, his voice caressing my skin in a way that made my body tingle. There was nothing suggestive about what he said, but the light in his gorgeous green eyes said that if I gave him an opening, he'd take it.

It'd been a long time since I met a man who made me want to flirt for reasons other than my job.

I curbed the impulse though.

“It's a guarantee from my employer. Now, if you'll follow me.” I gestured toward the door and started off toward it.

Thankfully, the two men fell into step behind me. Things would get much easier when we got out onto the main floor where it would be almost impossible to spot any one person in the hubbub. Once we got out of the casino, we'd be fine since I doubted anyone here would know who I worked for. Since I'd never been in this position before, no one would know to keep an eye out for me like they would have for Isa.

As we neared the doors, however, someone called out behind us. “Don't go now! The table just got hot!”

I suspected it was the dealer but didn't turn to see. If I did, the men would too. If I didn't, they might ignore it. With any luck, the dealer would think I was another pro like the girls I sent running.

A hand on my shoulder stopped me mid step, and the nicer of the pair turned me to face him. For a moment, his eyes caught mine and the world faded. Then he dropped his hand, and everything else came rushing back.

“You don't work for the casino.”

It was statement of fact, not a question, but at least he didn't seem angry.

“I wouldn't be trying to get you and your friend out of here so quickly if I worked here, would I?” I said with a coquettish wink.

“We're brothers, actually. Dorian and Lorenzo Gianelli. Enzo, he prefers.”

My eyebrows raised, and I looked between them. I supposed I could see the resemblance in their black-as-night hair and high cheekbones. Otherwise, it seemed they couldn't be more different. And then there was the way Dorian had said their name. Like I was supposed to recognize it or something.

Shit, had Earl sent me over to wrangle two mafia sons or something? If he had, I'd never forgive him. I had a daughter to look after.

Which meant I needed to get out of here. “It's lovely to meet you both. You'll have to forgive me for speeding through the salutations, but we really need to get out of here.”

Dorian smiled at me, like I'd said something amusing. For another second, the world stopped on a dime. It was just me and the sexy man in the thousand-dollar suit. My stomach fluttered in a way that I hadn't thought it could.

Then reality came back again, and I saw the pit manager talking to the dealer who'd called out to us. Shit.

“Come on handsome, let's get you outta here.” I grabbed Dorian's hand, not caring how bold of a move it was, and we resumed walking. I supposed I needed to get used to bold. I needed it with this job.

Neither Dorian nor his brother said anything else as they followed me, but I could feel them both watching. Enzo still seemed pissed, but the tension coming from Dorian was definitely sexual. I let go of his hand once we were onto the crowded casino floor, but I could still feel the way his warm, calloused fingers had gripped mine.

The limo I called when I was rushing over was waiting outside the front entrance. I breathed out a sigh of relief and gestured toward it, hoping I didn't come across as giddy as I felt.

“Your chariot, gentleman.”

“Are you going to tell us what this is all about now?” Enzo asked the question as he climbed into the limo. He still sounded annoyed, but as long as he was going where I wanted him to go, I didn't care.

I looked at Dorian, who smiled and waved a hand toward the door. “Ladies first.”

I nodded at his chivalrous gesture and slipped into the limo, taking the long seat on the side while they settled into the row between the doors. As I settled into my seat, I told myself that I could do this. After all, I'd gotten them here. I could close the deal.

I grabbed a bottle of Cristal champagne from the cooler as I answered Enzo's question. “My boss runs one of the most prestigious casinos in all of Las Vegas. The Rock Bay.”

I offered each man a glass and then poured one for myself. I didn't like drinking on the job but being good at this particular brand of hosting meant that I had to make the two men feel at ease. People felt naturally more at ease when their host partook in activities alongside them. So, unless it was something illegal, I had carte blanche to participate.

As long as I didn't let things get out of hand.

I continued, “He heard two VIPs were being treated poorly at the competition and sent me to sort it out.”

Dorian looked at me over the top of his champagne glass. I swallowed hard. No person's gaze should be that powerful. It twisted things inside me that I thought had disappeared years ago.

“What does sorting it out entail?” Dorian asked.

I gestured around the limo as I gave myself a mental shake. “Well, first of all, we're getting you out of that awful place and over to somewhere a bit more deserving of your time. Once we're at Rock Bay, whenever you need something you can ask me, and I'll get it for you directly. Shows, reservations, you name it. All complimentary, of course. And no house limits.”

I winked at Enzo with that last statement. He finally grinned. With the smile, he and Dorian looked more alike than before. I made a mental note that both men seemed to respond to light teasing, but Enzo appeared to be more inclined toward flattery and attention.

“Seems like an awful lot of trouble to go through for two people you don't know,” Dorian commented.

I hadn't been mistaken when I pegged him as the intelligent one. He wasn't going to be easily swayed by perks and flattery. He was the sort of man who wanted to know the bottom line.

I told him the truth but gave it to him with the most charming smile I had in my arsenal. “Well, in return, my employer hopes you enjoy your time in Las Vegas at our casino and will think of us the next time you come to stay.”

I might as well have been flirting with a brick wall. He cocked an eyebrow, drank half of his glass down in one gulp, and let out a deep sigh. Enzo looked positively delighted, and I swore I could hear him already making a mental list of everything he intended to do. It wouldn't take us long to get to the casino, so I needed to make sure Dorian was on board and didn't convince his brother to walk away.

“I already have a suite set up for you,” I said, forcing myself to keep my voice easy and light. “I'll arrange to have your things brought over from the Aladdin as you settle in. Are your wives with you? I'd love to set up spa treatments for them while you two get acquainted with our other amenities.”

I watched Dorian's face closely, perhaps closer than necessary. I had to admit that I was a bit curious to see if they'd ask me to replace the young ladies I chased away. I didn't for one moment believe that they hadn't known that the women were pros. What I didn't know was if the men had been responsible for finding their dates for the night, or if it'd been something the hotel had set up.

He glanced at Enzo and then answered, “I'm not married.”

His words sounded like he'd chosen them carefully.

“Yeah, it's just the two of us,” Enzo added smoothly.

The limo pulled up in front of Rock Bay. The driver walked around and opened the door, letting the three of us out. I nodded at him, letting him know I'd keep my promise to call him first for anything to do with the brothers.

“Follow me, please.”

I led the two men through the lobby of the hotel, making sure to keep a steady pace that was slow enough they could appreciate the décor, but not so slow they'd get bored. My palms were sweating by the time we reached the elevators. When the doors closed, I felt like I was truly alone with the two brothers for the first time.

“Is it your first time in Las Vegas?” I asked.

Dorian gave me a sideways look. “Don't you know the answer? You seem to have a lot of them.”

I brushed off his comment with a smile. “I don't actually know that much, but I hope to get to know you both a lot better over the course of your stay.”

I hadn't meant it to come out sounding so sexual, and I immediately blushed when the words registered. Shit. Sometimes, I hated having such a fair complexion. Fortunately, the two of them looked infinitely amused rather than like they thought I was unprofessional.

“Oh, I hope so,” joked Enzo. The leer he gave me had genuine admiration in it, but the edge that would've made me uncomfortable was missing.

Dorian's expression, however, was guarded. “I would count on it, Briana.”

I didn't bother to try to work out what he meant by that. It wasn't my business. My business was to keep the Gianelli brothers happy at Rock Bay. Flirting was one thing, but I wasn't part of the perks. Enzo seemed to get that, but something about what I said had made Dorian react in an odd way.

I shoved the thought aside. If I really wanted to take it out and examine it, I'd do it later. Right now, I needed to get the men settled. My contacts at the Aladdin had told me about Enzo and Dorian's suite there, so I knew this room was much better than the one they'd had before. It was a good thing the Aladdin didn't have rooms quite as ostentatious as ours because the guys were getting the top of the line here.

Enzo whistled through his teeth. “You don't mess around, doll.”

“I certainly do not,” I replied, pleased with the endearment. He really had this whole flirting-but-not-flirting thing down. “I hope everything's to your satisfaction. Your belongings should arrive within the next hour or so, but you don't need to wait for them. The staff will bring them in.”

Enzo's brief admiration of the suite was my only indication that they were impressed at all. Dorian was quiet, walking around the place like he was expecting to find dust under the throw cushions. Enzo headed straight for the bar to pour himself a drink, and I was starting to wonder if I'd misread which brother was the one I'd prefer to spend time with.

Not that my personal preference mattered at all.

“Is there anything else you need from me before I leave?” I asked.

Dorian looked up at me then. “Actually, there is one more thing.”

“What's that?”

He crossed the room in a few long strides, drawing up in front of me, and staring down with a crooked smile on those distracting, sensual lips. “Your phone number.”

Oh.

My heart stopped...then ramped up to a million miles an hour. I stared up at him, wide-eyed, and probably looking as immature as I suddenly felt, but I seemed to have completely lost the ability to speak. And think. My prolonged silence gave me away. Dorian chuckled.

“In case we need anything,” he pressed.

“R-right,” I stuttered, hating myself for it. But not as much as I hated myself for thinking that a man like him would want anything other than business from me. He'd shown that he had no problem paying for it, and he could afford women who made me fade into the background. “Of course.”

After giving Dorian my business card and hoping he wouldn't mention my silly flub to my boss, I headed out into the hallway to call Earl.

He answered on the second ring. “Earl speaking.”

“Hey, Earl, it's Briana. The high rollers are here. I just set them up in their suite.”

“Great, sweetheart. That's just great,” he replied. “Stay on them and make sure you give them everything they want, hmm?”

That much I knew.

“Will do, boss.”

I pressed the down button on the elevator, getting ready to end the call.

“Oh, and Briana?” Earl said.

“Yeah?”

“Great job, sugar.”

I was glad he was happy, but I couldn't help but wonder if his confidence in me was founded, or if I’d completely screw everything up.

Then the image of my little girl floated in my mind. The same strawberry blonde hair. Blue-gray eyes, and just a hint of freckles. She was sweet and intelligent and so much more than I deserved.

I was doing this for her, and I wasn't going to fuck it up.