Author: Joanna Shupe
Series Uptown Girls
Genre Adult Historical Romance
Publisher Avon Books
Publication Date December 30, 2019
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Powerful casino owner.
Ruthless mastermind. Destroyer of
men. He lives in the shadows . . .
As the owner of the city’s most exclusive casino, Clayton
Madden holds the fortunes of prominent families in the palms of his hands every
night. There is one particular family he burns to ruin, however, one that has
escaped his grasp . . . until now.
She is society’s darling . . .
Florence Greene is no one’s fool. She knows Clayton Madden
is using her to ruin her prestigious family . . . and she’s using him right
back. She plans to learn all she can from the mysterious casino owner—then open
a casino of her own just for women.
With revenge on his mind, Clay agrees to mentor Florence.
However, she soon proves more adept—and more alluring—than Clay bargained for.
When his plans are threatened, Clay must decide if he is willing to gamble his
empire on love.
She lifted her chin. “I presume you are Mr. Madden.”
“Have a seat.” Now behind his
desk, he indicated one of the armchairs.
“Not until you answer my
question.”
He paused and stared at her
just long enough to make her uncomfortable. His eyes were dark and
unfathomable, no hint to his thoughts whatsoever. “Was there a question, Miss
Greene? Because I didn’t hear one.”
“Are you Mr. Madden?”
“I am, which means this is my
casino. And you are trespassing.” He lowered himself into his large leather
chair without waiting for her to be seated.
“No one has asked me to
leave.”
“You are aware that women are
forbidden from crossing our threshold. Yet you’ve flouted that rule. Many
times. Care to tell me why?”
“I assumed your policies had
changed.” A lie. Her first visit she’d entered through the kitchens, sneaking
into the main casino. On subsequent visits, she’d flashed a smile and pressed a
large bill into the hand of the man at the door. The staff recognized her now,
though she knew Madden’s benevolence was the reason for her continued
admittance.
“Let’s do away with the
pretense. My curiosity is the only reason you’ve gained access to the Bronze
House. I’m requesting you satisfy that curiosity now.”
Though he spoke politely, it
somehow sounded like a threat. “Or?”
“Most people are smart enough
not to refuse my requests.”
“You won’t hurt me.” It came
out with more confidence than she felt. Inside, doubt twisted her stomach into
knots.
One dark brow shot up. “Won’t
I?”
“I don’t intimidate easily,
Mr. Madden.”
A flash of something passed
over his face, a glimpse of appreciation, perhaps. Had her answer pleased him?
“I’m beginning to see that.
After all, someone nearly drugged your sister here and yet you return.”
Florence waived her hand.
Mamie hadn’t been fooled. The man’s clumsy attempt at pouring an unknown liquid
into her champagne had been as obvious as the heat in Hades. Besides, Florence
felt eyes on her every time she visited the Bronze House, a protective presence
that wouldn’t dare allow anything terrible to befall her within these walls.
Had it been Madden looking
out for her? Watching her?
She wasn’t certain if the
idea excited or frightened her.
“I’m perfectly safe inside
your casino.”
He didn’t bother to confirm
or deny it. Instead, he said, “You show a remarkable skill at the tables. How
did an uptown debutante learn such things?”
She lifted a shoulder.
“Practice.”
He threw his head back and
laughed. The sound was rough and genuine, the mirth transforming his face into
something . . . lighter. Younger. She hadn’t realized. He couldn’t be more than
thirty or thirty-one years old. Tingles coursed through her, as if she’d been
dealt an ace and a king while playing Twenty-One.
Goodness. Was she attracted to him?
She recognized the feeling.
There had been various young men in her life over the years. Florence liked
kissing and touching and all the things that went with it. She hadn’t ever
considered saving herself for marriage, not when a whole wide world awaited
her. She was a modern woman in charge of her own destiny—and her future did not
include being under the thumb of a husband. She wanted an equal, not a jailer.
But an attraction to Clayton
Madden would complicate things.
Madden collected himself,
shaking his head as if to clear it. “I can see you’re no novice. You’ve walked
out a winner each time you’ve visited. Yet, your presence here is disruptive.
My patrons are unaccustomed to seeing a woman in their midst. You are . . .
distracting.”
It would seem a compliment if
not for his frown. “That is not my fault. Admit more women and they won’t
notice me.”
“Impossible. No man would
miss you, even in a crowd.”
Her throat dried out. That
was most definitely a compliment. However, she didn’t think he was flirting
with her, merely being honest. Clayton Madden didn’t seem like a man who flirted. “Your policy is antiquated. You
should allow women to gamble.”
“Not a chance. If men are
watching the women then they aren’t losing money to me.”
She bit back a smile. His
attitude served her plans perfectly. Let him ignore half the population of New
York, the women who were bored and looking for entertainment. Florence would
soon take their pin money in her
female-only casino. Still, she couldn’t resist adding, “So women must suffer
for the stupidity of men. Again.”
He blinked, his expression
full of both confusion and admiration. “I see you are a woman who speaks her
mind. That’s a quality I appreciate. So let’s answer this once and for all. Why
do you continue to visit the Bronze House? What are you after?”
It’s now or never, Florence. “I’m here for
lessons. I wish for you to teach me how to operate a casino.”
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About the author:
JOANNA SHUPE has always loved history, ever since she saw
her first Schoolhouse Rock cartoon. While in college, Joanna read every romance
she could get her hands on and soon started crafting her own racy historical
novels. In 2013, she won Romance Writers of America's prestigious Golden Heart®
Award for Best Historical. She now lives in New Jersey with her two spirited
daughters and dashing husband. To connect with Joanna, visit JoannaShupe.com.
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