Rolling the Dice on Redemption

By Gaurav Garg

Las Vegas - a city forever cloaked in glamour, secrets, and sin. The bright lights beckon dreamers and vagabonds alike, promising fame, fortune, and fantasy. But beneath the neon glow pulses an underworld where ambition and avarice collide.

Daniel "Dice" Rivers learned those dark truths young while surviving Detroit's gritty streets. His skill with cards and reading people soon attracted the attention of powerful mobsters seeking to expand their empire to the Vegas Strip during its 1970s heyday.

For Dice, running the luxurious Mirage Heights Casino represented a chance to move up and secure a slice of Vegas decadence for himself. With his childhood friend Vinnie Marino overseeing security, Dice anticipates an easy path to success.

But Sin City's allure hides thorns. Mysterious hustler Isabella "Izzy" Moretti catches Dice's eye and refuses to be tamed even by marriage. Vinnie's volatile tendencies surface, causing tensions with Dice and the Detroit bosses financing their glittering venture.

Soon Dice is embroiled in betrayals, violence, and vice as he tries maintaining control over the Mirage Heights against long odds. But his ambitions blind him to what matters most until he has lost it all.

Exiled and hunted by both mobsters and the law, Dice wanders destitute and anonymous. His only path to survive is acknowledging the sins of his past and making amends before time runs out. Redemption seems beyond reach for those who have fallen so far.

Yet even in darkness, hope persists. This is the story of one man's arduous road to absolution and hard-won peace. For some lost souls, home remains waiting if they persevere. Las Vegas casts long shadows - but none are so deep light cannot pierce them in the end.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gaurav Garg
• Release date: Aug 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223490296

Book preview

Disclaimer:

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events, and incidents mentioned in this book are the product of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by the characters in this book do not necessarily reflect those of the author or publisher. The author does not intend to offend any individual, group, or community.

Although efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information presented in this book, the author and the publisher do not assume any responsibility or liability for errors or omissions.

Reading this book is at your own risk. The author and publisher shall not be held responsible for any loss or damage arising from the use of this book.

Author Preface:

Las Vegas - a city forever cloaked in glamour, secrets, and sin. The bright lights beckon dreamers and vagabonds alike, promising fame, fortune, and fantasy. But beneath the neon glow pulses an underworld where ambition and avarice collide.

Daniel Dice Rivers learned those dark truths young while surviving Detroit's gritty streets. His skill with cards and reading people soon attracted the attention of powerful mobsters seeking to expand their empire to the Vegas Strip during its 1970s heyday.

For Dice, running the luxurious Mirage Heights Casino represented a chance to move up and secure a slice of Vegas decadence for himself. With his childhood friend Vinnie Marino overseeing security, Dice anticipates an easy path to success.

But Sin City's allure hides thorns. Mysterious hustler Isabella Izzy Moretti catches Dice's eye and refuses to be tamed even by marriage. Vinnie's volatile tendencies surface, causing tensions with Dice and the Detroit bosses financing their glittering venture.

Soon Dice is embroiled in betrayals, violence, and vice as he tries maintaining control over the Mirage Heights against long odds. But his ambitions blind him to what matters most until he has lost it all.

Exiled and hunted by both mobsters and the law, Dice wanders destitute and anonymous. His only path to survive is acknowledging the sins of his past and making amends before time runs out. Redemption seems beyond reach for those who have fallen so far.

Yet even in darkness, hope persists. This is the story of one man's arduous road to absolution and hard-won peace. For some lost souls, home remains waiting if they persevere. Las Vegas casts long shadows - but none are so deep light cannot pierce them in the end.

Chapter 1: Sin City Assignment

The scorching Nevada sun beat down on Daniel Dice Rivers as he stepped off the plane at McCarran International Airport. A light breeze offered little relief from the oppressive heat that engulfed Las Vegas in mid-July. Dice surveyed the sprawling airport, taking in the hordes of tourists that flocked to Sin City every day, drawn like moths to the neon flame.

At thirty years old, Dice had spent over half his life perfecting the art of gambling and reading people. His skill had caught the attention of the powerful Detroit syndicate, who were looking to expand their gambling empire to the glitz and glamour of 1970s Las Vegas. They needed someone with Dice's special talents to oversee operations at the newly built Mirage Heights Casino.

As Dice waited for his luggage, his thoughts drifted back to his childhood in Motor City. He was no stranger to the vices and violence that came with organized crime. Dice lost his father when he was just ten years old, killed in a botched robbery orchestrated by the Detroit mob. His mother tried to shelter him from that world, urging him to focus on his studies, but Dice was always drawn to the smoke-filled rooms and dingy warehouses where card games went on all night.

What started as a rebellious hobby soon became an obsession for Dice. He spent every free moment perfecting his card counting and probability skills, learning to read the subtle tells of other players. By his mid-twenties, he had made a name for himself hustling up and down the East Coast, winning big at both legit tables and underground games.

Now the Detroit syndicate had called him out West to class up their act in Vegas. They wanted him to bring a touch of sophistication to their latest venture while still overseeing a smooth skimming operation. As he stepped out into the blistering heat, Dice sensed this was his chance to move up the organization's ranks. All he had to do was keep the casino profitable and the bosses back in Detroit happy.

A sleek black limousine waited for Dice outside the airport terminal. The driver jumped out and grabbed his bags, addressing him as Mr. Rivers before whisking him off towards the Vegas strip. Dice gazed out the tinted window, taking in the larger-than-life casinos and neon extravagance. This