Page 2 of His Lair
“Name your price.” Emmanuel sits back in his chair and steeples his hands.
“How long do I have to be there?”
“As long as it takes,” he says.
“Five-hundred grand a week.” I doubt he’ll agree to that kind of money, but I am curious how much his friends’ safety is worth to him.
“Done.” Emmanuel nods without hesitation.Shit, I should have asked for more.
“Pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Lopez.” I stand from my seat and swipe up the folder.
“Remember, if you see me in Vegas, we do not know each other,” he says.
I smirk. “You’re easily forgettable, E.” I chuckle as I exit his office. He’s really not, but like I said, I enjoy fucking with his head. The guy is way more vain than he lets on. I wouldn’t know that if I hadn’t been in his presence for years.
“Be careful. There’re a lot of monsters in Sin City,” Emmanuel calls out after me.
“And there’s about to be one more,” I call back as I walk out.
Lights, music, smoke. That’s my first impression. I didn’t tell Emmanuel I’ve never actually been here before. I’ve traveled all over the world, all over the States, but I’ve always avoided Vegas. There’s just something about this city… I’ve never been drawn to it. Or perhaps it’s just that I’ve never felt the need to come here.
I’ve had three days to learn everything I can about E’sfriends. Of course, I already knew about the three men he grew up with in this hellhole. I don’t take on jobs for anyone I don’t thoroughly investigate first.
Walking into the Royal Flush Casino, I put on my best naïve persona. I’ve decided to embrace the opportunity to just be the random girl next door for a while. I’m here to watch and observe. It’s the easiest money I’ve ever made. How hard can it be to work the front desk anyway?
“Hi, I’m Lailani Miller. I’m looking for a…” I feign nerves as I stare down at the piece of paper in my hands. “…Ms. Gallon. I’m starting today.” I smile at the girl behind the counter.
She responds with a disapproving once-over. I just smile wider while I imagine cutting her eyes out of her head. I wonder how easy it would be to look so smug without them?
“Wait here,” she says and turns, flipping her high bleach-blonde ponytail as she goes.
I don’t jump over the counter and grab her like I want to. I am nothing if not professional. I simply stand and wait. Looking around until I spot the man in question. Louie Giuliani. He doesn’t notice me, which is perfect. He’s walking through thecasino with his associate, Sammie Russo, who doesn’t notice me either. At least at first.
Then he looks up from whatever he’s doing on his phone and his eyes connect with mine, burning into me. I glance away, but I can still feel the heat of Mr. Russo’s stare on the back of my neck.
Shit! Way to go unnoticed, Lailani. Day one and you’ve already got your mark wondering who you are.
Chapter One
Carlo sits on the opposite side of the roped-off VIP section. “I have guests coming,” I tell him, referring to the girls I’ve told to meet us up here.
“I’m sure you do. Where the fuck is Louie? I’ve got better things to do with my time than sit here and wait,” Carlo grunts before downing the contents of his glass.
I pull out my phone and shoot off a text to Louie. He owns fifty percent of this casino, and I own the other fifty. He also owns fifty percent of Aces High, Carlo’s home turf. The Royal Flush is Louie’s baby, though. It was the first casino he bought as we were all coming up, which is where he will be, even though he should be on his way here. We have a standing meeting every Saturday night.
“I’ll speed him up a bit,” I tell Carlo.
Me:
Bossman, a delivery just came in for you.
Louie’s response is almost immediate.
Louie:
A delivery? Did you pay for it?
My face scrunches up in disgust.Did I pay for it?I don’t fucking pay for women. Ever. I type out my response and throw my phone onto the table between us.