Page 68 of His Lair
Good talk.
That went a lot easier than I thought it would. Now to survive the weekend and figure out whatever crap is coming Sammie’s way.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Knowing Lailani was coming back to town kept me awake all night. I’ve gone over my apartment at least ten times to make sure everything is perfect for her. I cleaned out a closet and the bathroom cabinets for her stuff. I did consider going into herapartment and just moving all her shit in here, but then I figured she’d probably hate me more for making that decision for her. I know I’m probably pushing my luck wanting her to jump into living with me, but I’m persistent when I want something. And I want her.
Even if she’s not entirely who I thought she was, she’s still Lailani. She’s still the woman who makes me feel complete. I know she thinks she’s different, that she’s not sweet and innocent, but I think the girl she was portraying was more her thansherealizes.
Sure, she kills people for a living. But it’s not like she’s a serial killer. She’s not collecting teeth or brains in jars as trophies. Well, not that I know of anyway. She’s killing people who probably deserve it. And it’s not like I’m one to judge. I’ve got my own body count.
At least I don’t need to pretend I’m not who I am with her. I don’t need to worry about her being a target because she can handle herself. She’s not ever going to be someone’s victim. That knowledge doesn’t mean I won’t worry. It just means I don’t need to worry as much.
Maybe this whole marrying an assassin thing will have its benefits. Who knows when you might need someone who can hit a target next to you? Not that I would ever ask that of her.
I’ve been watching the clock, checking the location signal on her cell phone every hour. She’s going to be here any minute and I want to meet her in the lobby. I want to meet her father and then steal my girl away. We have some making up to do, and a lot of time to catch up on. So I shut my computer down, walk out of my office and through the casino floor. Standing back to watch as Lailani talks to an attendant at the front desk to check in. She booked rooms, two suites. I had her refunded and upgraded. She won’t be using one of them, though.
She takes hold of both room keys and turns around. The smile that lights up her face when she first spots me is breathtaking. Then she seems to remember where she is and who she’s with, and that smile drops. I fucking hate that she hides her feelings so well.
She says something to the man she’s with, her father, and then he looks my way. I’ve never had a girlfriend before, never had to do the wholemeet the dadthing. Knowing he’s going to hate me regardless of what I say or do is somewhat comforting. It means he cares about her.
My steps towards her are slow, measured, as I count the seconds until I can physically reach out and touch her. I’m done hiding. I’ve decided that I’m accepting her for who she is and this whole concealing our relationship thing is over. Don’t get me wrong. Would I love her to give it all up and let me take care of her for the rest of our lives? Abso-fucking-lutley. But I’m not stupid enough to ask her to do that.
When I reach her, my arm wraps around her back and I pull her against me. She comes willingly, her own arms closing around my waist.
“I missed you,” I whisper into her ear, kissing her cheek and not ravishing her mouth like I’m dying to do.
“Me too,” she replies and then steps back.
I don’t let go of her, though. Instead, I step to the side so I’m right beside her, one hand resting on her lower back while I extend the other towards her father. “Mr. Miller, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you. I’m Sammie, your daughter’s fiancé.” I smile and wait for him to return the gesture.
After a minute, he relents and shakes my hand. “Sammie Russo, regardless of what my daughter is capable of, I assure you I can and will do worse to you if you hurt her. There’s also no ring on my daughter’s hand, and from what she tells me, you’re just the boyfriend.”
“Dad, oh my god. He doesn’t mean that, Sammie,” Lailani says, her words rushed. “And we are not engaged.”
“I sure as fuck hope he does,” I tell her before locking eyes with her old man. “You don’t need to worry, sir. I have no intention of hurting her.” I look back down at Lailani. “We are engaged. We spoke about this last night, babe.”
“No, you suggested you become my husband. I said we should wait.”
“We have waited. A whole night in fact,” I remind her. “Come on, I’ll show you to your rooms and let you both get settled.”
I guide Lailani and her father over to the elevators and take them up to their assigned floor, stopping as we approach the rooms, which are side by side.
“I’ll catch up with you soon. Get your dad settled,” I tell Lailani. “Anything you need, sir, let the staff know.”
“Thank you.” Mr. Miller steps inside his room, leaving Lailani and me in the hallway.
“I know you had our fee refunded,” she says. “I don’t need you to pay for me, Sammie.”
I lift a shoulder. “We’re going to be married soon, and technically, half of this casino will be yours too. Nobody pays to stay in their own hotel, babe.”
“You are insane.” She smiles and pushes up on her tiptoes. Her lips briefly press against mine. “But I like you just the way you are.”
“You still got your access card?” I ask her.
“You think I’d lose my free key to your bed?” She laughs. “I’ve got it. I’ll use it soon. And if you’re not there, I’m going to move some of your shit just to mess with you.”
“You can move whatever you want. It’s your home,” I tell her.