Page 17 of Burn the World Down

I twisted his arm some more.

He went up on his toes. “You’re gonna break my arm!”

“Sounds like fun.” I twisted a little more.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted security incoming, pushing through the crowd.

That was the last thing I needed.

I leaned in close. “Keep your hands to yourself next time.” Releasing him, I strode into the crowd, letting myself disappear.

This was a waste of time.

I needed to be spending my energy on staking out Snyder and finding the right time to strike.

I’m doing this for you, Viv.

I ensured my pace stayed slow and steady. I walked unhurriedly out the front door of the casino. Even outside, I was careful to keep my pace measured, like I wasn’t in a rush.Nothing to see here.

It wasn’t until I was a block away, and getting close to where I parked my car, that I pulled the wig off. I shook my hair out.

I just wanted to get back to my hotel room, take my makeup off, and put my pajamas on. Maybe I’d find some action movie to watch and zone out.

I’d only taken a few more steps when I realized that I’d dropped the photo of Nash. I patted my pockets. No photo.

Oh well. It probably wasn’t him.

Maybe it was a sign that it was time to forget about him, once and for all.

CHAPTER 5

NASH

Bastian’s office was huge.

I strode in, stretching my tight neck. I’d done several combat classes today. Shit, maybe I was getting too old for this.

The dark-wood floor was polished to a high gloss, Bastian’s desk was a huge slab of black marble, shot through with bronze veins. A moody painting consisting of gray, black, and bronze smudges hung behind it.

“Evening.” Bastian swiveled in his huge leather chair. The lights of Vegas shone behind him. Another man in a suit with his tie loosened stood at the front of the desk, knocking back a glass of bourbon.

Chance Tyler finished his drink and ran a hand through his blond hair.

“Long day?” I asked.

The actor lifted his chin. He was handsome in that clean, polished way that told me he had a great plastic surgeon and an excellent dentist. He looked like the kind of guy that would get cast as the district attorney or the president in a movie.

He no longer auditioned for movies. Instead, Bastian paid him a lot of money to pretend he was the owner of the Avernus. He did all the press, attended functions and events, and shmoozed when required.

“Had a group of high rollers in from China. They demanded I join them for poker, dinner, and a show.”

I snorted. “Tough life.”

“That wasyesterday. I just managed to get free.” He scraped a hand down his face. “I haven’t slept in twenty-four hours.”

“Go home, Chance,” Bastian said.

The man waved a hand. “I will. I have a press conference and a council meeting in the morning. Its hard work being the fake owner of a casino.” He headed for the door. “Night.”