Page 15 of Hitting the Jackpot (Las Vegas Littles #4)

Lake

The teasing from his coworkers was fun. Lake opened the door to the club to allow the couple he’d just checked in to enter and received half a dozen smirks in response.

The hickies on his neck would have been hard to cover even if Lake didn’t like wearing his lace bodysuits on shift. The lack of material really didn’t give Lake any choice but to proudly display the marks left behind from his long make-out session with Jesse.

He’d hadn’t even bothered trying with his makeup.

Lake wasn’t that much of an expert since he was still learning techniques to highlight his best facial features.

Lake could have asked Dom who had somehow surprisingly mastered applying makeup and didn’t even wear any. His friend had been learning for Lake.

There might have been a little part of Lake that wanted other people to know. His way of claiming Jesse.

Lake wasn’t as unobservant as he pretended.

The entire staff of the club was aware of Jesse’s interest in him.

Lake might have acted like he didn’t know but he had.

And so did his friends. The hickies were enough of a statement.

Well that and the fact that Jesse had walked Lake to work and kissed him goodbye. In front of everyone.

“So, I heard a rumor.”

Lake jumped as he spun around.

Dom was draped across the front of the desk.

“What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at work?”

“We’ll see, I was at work. But one of the servers here came to grab a coffee and shared a little tidbit with me,” Dom said.

Lake had a feeling he’d been ratted out. “You should be at work.”

“My shift is over. And I just had to see with my own eyes that my little friend got him some loving last night,” Dom replied.

“I would have told you myself,” Lake told him.

“Except you weren’t home when I woke up and still weren’t home by the time I left for work,” Dom pointed out. Reaching out, Dom cupped Lake’s face. “Hey, pretty!”

“Hey.”

“Are you happy?” Dom asked softly.

“So happy,” Lake confessed.

Leaning forward, Dom rested his forehead against Lake’s. “Was it everything you imagined?”

Closing his eyes, Lake nodded. “More.”

“And he was good to you? Didn’t pressure or—”

“He was wonderful to me,” Lake assured him.

“Then I’m happy for you.” Dom pulled back. “And we should celebrate!”

Lake laughed. “How?”

“Slumber party?”

Lake shrugged. He was sort of hoping to spend the night with Jesse again.

“You’d rather celebrate with your Daddy, am I right?”

“Yeah, kind of,” Lake admitted.

“How about a little day this weekend?” Dom suggested. “Ezra works the early shift at the coffee shop on Saturday. Both you and Brandon are on late shift and I’m off so we could start right before lunch. I bet I could even talk the boys into sharing those vegan nuggies that we bought.”

A little afternoon? That sounded like the best way to celebrate to him. “Yes!” Lake rushed around the desk to hug Dom.

Dom hugged him back even though Dom wasn’t as touchy-feely as Lake was. “I’m really happy for you.”

They drew back when someone cleared their throat.

He grinned at Jesse watching them with a soft smile.

“Oh! Hey there, Jesse,” Dom said slyly. “Nice job on staking your claim.”

Lake’s face heated.

Jesse grinned. “I might have gotten carried away. I blame Lake.”

“Me?” Lake scoffed.

Jesse sidled up to his side. “You’re just too sexy to resist.” He kissed along the left side of Lake’s neck where Jesse had previously left his marks.

Lake giggled as he pulled away.

“Aren’t you two just so cute,” Dom said with a scowl. “Gross.”

“Gross?” Lake repeated. “This from the same guy that literally can’t keep his hands or mouth off his Daddy.”

Dom grinned and waggled his brows. “That’s why I approve.”

Jesse shook his head. He turned to Lake, suddenly serious.

Dread filled him. “What’s wrong?”

Dom was by his side, gripping his hand.

Jesse tried to smile but Lake could tell that he was faking it. Was Jesse going to break up with him? After one night? Had Lake done something wrong? Maybe he’d…No! Fuck that! Lake wasn’t going to start doubting what he and Jesse had. Lake knew that Jesse cared about him. This was something else.

“I’m sorry, baby, but I have something to tell you,” Jesse said.

“It’s bad?” Lake asked.

“It doesn’t have to be. And you don’t need to do anything if you don’t want to. I can and will take care of this for you,” Jesse said.

“Take care of what?” Dom demanded.

Jesse took his hand. “Your brother is here. He’s at security demanding to talk to you.”

The ground under his feet shook.

“Hey!” Dom hugged him from behind as Jesse held his arms, keeping Lake upright.

“But—”“

“It’s Justice,” Jesse said. “He asked for you and says he won’t leave until he talks to you.”

That sounded like Justice. He wouldn’t take no for an answer. “I…I…” What did he do?

“I can get rid of him,” Jesse told him.

“He’ll just come back. Or wait until I leave.” Lake shook his head. He’d known that ignoring his family wasn’t something that he could do indefinitely.

“Baby,” Jesse said. “I can do this for you.”

It wasn’t fair to Jesse but Lake wanted to let him take over. Lake hated confrontations. Couldn’t function when someone’s anger was directed at him. Lake looked up into Jesse’s eyes, praying that Jesse knew what he needed.

“Okay,” Jesse said. “We’ll go talk to your brother. Assure him that you’re fine and just need some time away from your family. Once he sees you for himself, I think that might make him feel better.”

“That’s a good idea,” Dom said. “He’s probably just worried about you.”

Lake nodded.

“Here, baby.” Jesse unbuttoned his jacket before holding it out to Lake. “We’ll button this up and he won’t see what you’re wearing.”

Lake hadn’t even thought about what he wore. Justice would sure be surprised finding his little brother in a sexy lace outfit. Jesse slid the jacket onto his shoulders before turning to Lake.

“It’s okay,” Jesse said as he buttoned up the jacket. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“I’m coming too,” Dom said.

“You don’t have to.” Lake turned but Dom was sliding in front of him.

“I know you have your big bad Daddy and he’ll take care of everything. I’ll be by your side though. You just grab my hand and squeeze if you need me to get you out of there. Jesse will make sure we aren’t followed.”

“That’s…that’s a good idea,” Lake agreed.

Jesse straightened the lapels of the jacket. “Perfect, pretty baby.”

“Th…thank you, Daddy.”

Jesse kissed him. “I have someone from security coming to watch the desk. Let’s go.”

With his fingers wrapped up in Jesse’s and Dom hovering behind him, Lake was led down the hall. They reached the elevator that would take them to the casino before Lake was ready. He didn’t say anything as they stepped inside the elevator.

Jesse held his watch up to the sensor before pushing the button for the first floor.

“I need one of those,” Dom said. He grabbed the card hanging from the lanyard around his neck. “Much cooler than this.”

“I ordered one for Lake. I’ll see if I can add to it,” Jesse replied.

“You ordered me a watch?” Jesse questioned.

Jesse squeezed his fingers. “Of course I did. You’re my boy. You can have access to anywhere you want. You’ll always be able to get to me.”

“I…appreciate that,” Lake whispered.

Jesse pointed one finger at Dom. “You do not get access to all the floors.”

Dom pushed out his bottom lip. “Why not?”

“Because I don’t need you showing up in my penthouse when I’m sleeping,” Jesse said.

Lake laughed because that was a real concern.

“You know me too well,” Dom admitted with a grin. “And you live in the penthouse? Nice!”

“Lake can show it to you later,” Jesse promised.

The elevator dinged before the doors opened. Lake took a deep breath as they exited the elevator.

“Security office,” Jesse said. “He made a scene until security was called.”

“I’m sorry.” Lake hated that his brother had shown up. He’d never wanted his personal life and work life to collide. Which was funny when he was dating the most important man in the entire building.

“It’s no big deal,” Jesse told him. “Things like this happens.”

Not to Lake they didn’t.

The walk to the security office took a long time. It might be because Lake’s steps kept faltering. He was scared. Lake didn’t want to lose his family. He might have needed a break, it had been too much, but they were still his family. He loved them.

“No matter what happens we’re here with you,” Dom said.

Yeah, and they were his family too.

He spotted Justice as they turned the corner. His brother stood with his back to the window. Justice’s stance was confrontational. Legs spread, arms behind his back, his hands fisted.

“He’s mad,” Lake whispered.

“Security escorted him here against his will. Your brother didn’t know where you worked in the casino so he was loud,” Jesse said.

“Idiot,” Lake said with a huff.

“You ready?” Jesse asked with his hand on the knob.

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

Jesse turned the knob before pushing open the door.

His brother turned.

Lake followed Jesse into the room with Dom following and closing the door behind them.

The two security officers were glaring at his brother but sent Lake a nod and a smile as Lake glanced at them.

“Lake!” Justice barreled forward.

Jesse stepped between them and Justice growled. “Move.”

“That isn’t going to happen,” Jesse said.

“He is my brother.” Justice’s voice was deep, firm, annoyed.

“And he is mine,” Jesse replied, just as angry. “You can talk to him but you will not touch him.”

“What the fuck!” Justice spat. “I wouldn’t hurt him!”

“Maybe not.” Jesse shrugged.

Lake was staring at Jesse’s back to avoid looking at his brother. He didn’t want to see the disappointment or disdain in Justice’s eyes. Justice was the nicest one to him. He had even tried to protect Lake.

Justice and Jesse were still exchanging words. Getting louder.

“Stop!” Lake whispered.

They ignored him. Or maybe didn’t hear him.

“Stop!” he said a little louder.

Justice grabbed at Jesse.