Page 4 of His Lair
“Fucker.” I laugh.
“Turn the fuck around,” he growls, which is even more interesting. I don’t think I’ve ever seen my friend this worked up over a woman before.
How long has he been hiding her?
“Fine. Let me know when you two kids are decent.” I turn my back on them while splashing water over the pool’s edge.
“Sammie, get out of the pool,” Louie calls out as he’s walking towards the door, his hand on the woman’s waist.
I decide to take my dripping-wet ass up to Louie’s apartment to wait for him. Standing in his living room, I take my now-drenched wallet and phone from my pocket before stripping out of my clothes. I pick up my phone—thank fuck it’s waterproof—log into the casino’s elevator system and check the floors until I find my friend and his mystery guest. I then zoom in on him ather door, turning up the volume to listen in on his conversation. Because yes, I’m fucking nosey. Her name is Charlotte.
I log out and drop the phone back on to the coffee table as soon as Louie’s footsteps echo through the otherwise silent room. “Why the fuck are you naked in my apartment?” he asks.
“Because some grouchy fucker pushed my ass into the pool.” I point a finger at him.
“You deserved it,” he says.
“So, Charlotte? Where’d she come from and why are you hiding her?”
“She’s nobody, and I’m not hiding anyone.” Louie’s denial just makes this all the more fun. He really should know that I’m not letting this go.
“Nobody, huh? You never cared if I looked at an almost-nakednobodybefore.” I laugh.
“I was being respectful. You should try it sometime.”Thatjust makes me laugh harder.
“Yeah, respectful, good one. When have you ever wanted to be respectful to a woman?” My hand lands on his shoulder.
“Don’t touch me when you’re fucking naked.” He shoves me aside, moving towards the wet bar to refill his whiskey glass.
“I wouldn’t be naked if I didn’t get pushed in the fucking pool,” I remind him.
“Is there an actual reason you’re here?” he asks, sounding annoyed.
“Yeah, asshole, it’s called being a friend.You should try it sometime,” I snap at him.
After realizing he’s not coming out tonight and that he’s not giving me any more intel on this Charlotte chick, I help myself to his closet and get changed.
My eyes automatically turn to the front desk as I make my way past it. She’s not there. Lailani. I do, however, spot herwalking out the door just ahead of me. I pick up my pace to catch up with her.
Chapter Two
It’s been months of absolutely nothing. I have no idea what Emmanuel thinks is going to happen here. But so far, I’ve seennothing. Louie Giuliani is as closed off as any mob bosscan be. The guy doesn’t know I exist, even if I’ve spoken to him numerous times.
The only one who seems to pay me any mind is Sammie Russo. I do my best to try to come off as shy and naïve so he talks to me less. It doesn’t stop him from staring, though. Like tonight, when he came by to ask where Louie was. Of course, he already knew. I’m not an idiot. It’s odd that he came to ask me. I can’t tell if he suspects something or if he was just looking for an excuse to talk to me.
After Louie called down and had that woman he took up to the pool moved into the penthouse suite, I messaged Emmanuel to let him know. It’s the only out-of-character movement I’ve seen. His response was short. A simplekeep me postedafter I sent him the photocopies of the woman’s identification. I have no idea what he wants me to keep him posted on, to be honest. It would be a lot easier if I had a particular thing to look out for.
As soon as my shift ends, I collect my bag and head for the employee entrance. I admit I thought this job would be easy. That’s not to say that it’s hard, but damn am I tired after each shift.
It does pay well, though. Can’t say any of my colleagues are making five-hundred grand a week. If I ever feel the need to disappear and retire from this world, I at least have the funds to do so now. It’s a nice thought but I can’t see myself ending my career anytime soon. I happen to like my job. That said, being stuck in one place has been both good and bad at the same time.
I get to be normal for a little bit. Not that I’ve made friends here likenormalgirls would do. They tend to complicate things. I know I told Emmanuel we’re not friends, but if I think about it, he probably is the closest thing I have to one. Which is just plain sad, because he’s a fucking asshole with a trigger finger a lot faster than mine.
“Hey, Lailani! Wait up.” Sammie’s voice has my shoulders straightening. One hand clutches the strap of my bag while the other slides inside, wrapping around the small knife I have on me at all times.
“Mr. Russo, what can I do for you?” I smile but try not to make eye contact with him. I can’t. Every time I do, I get lost in his gaze. The man is hypnotizing. I feel a pull towards him like I’ve never felt for anyone before. Maybe I just need to get laid. It’s been over a year. I know! I live a sad and lonely life. But it’s the life I chose, and I like it that way.
“You heading home?” he asks. “And it’s just Sammie.”