Hearts and High Stakes

desolate and lonely neighborhood. The yard stretched out so much that it could have held a whole squatter

nter. The room featured brown wooden chairs and tables, adorned with lovely artificial flowers and plants to give it a natural appearance. The

and the guards stationed at every turn demon

, one long royal blue couch, and a m

es arranged in a tidy row that resembled an aisle across the lawn. Short trees, flowers, and

smaller, equally gorgeous house

respective areas. The moderate color scheme of the walls and furniture complemented the linge

ied out for p

e owner of all

h J

ree seconds, the name rose thro

n-dollar firm out of Fort Lauderdale. He completely took over Fort Lauderdale. The corporate world and

wardrobe that changed females to match his outfits. He had all that money could buy.

ith heavy footsteps and a chilly s

, captured the attention of

enhanced his already formidable presence. He was the most powerful individual. Although he was not a gregarious person, he did not mind occasionally gr

sticky, his white shirt tucked out and hanging loose on his bold frame, and the black tie hanging loose around h

ined undamaged, if any, was his stern glare. The woman appeared in her late fifties, with a slight build and tanned skin t

ll one of them this late at night. After five minutes, she slowly raised her head, and he had still not said anything. "Sir,

th a heavy heart, he pa

most reliable employee had attempted to rob him and then run away. The woman, who had w

d and fired. He had never mentioned it out loud, but she was the highest-paid maid, so he did no

Mila and Riley." Theo, Noah Jones's most dependable bodyguard and friend, interrupted

He slightly nodded at the older woman in

without glancing at him, his ga

his employer any further. "He's been arrested." Noah's gaze darted to the large bodyguard a few feet away at that brief r

covered. She will be gone for nine months, and in the next three months, if she makes a full recovery, she will be released." As he firmly grasped the woman's

udden warmth of his gesture made Noah stiffen, and Hanna withdrew suddenly as if she could not get far enough away from him. "I'm sorry,

, Theo. Give your granddaughter all the time you require."

ly bless you. The woman spoke

od, Noah moved

As Theo watched him approach the gia

Noah yelled back, tired of hearing about his brother, who, for some rea