Page 11

Max

Nick groans as we pass a middle-aged woman celebrating her jackpot win at one of our machines. “That’s the second time today for that machine. We need to move that fucking thing to storage.”

I mutter in agreement, though my mind is less on the casino's losses and more on the fact that Hailey ignored my last text. I tried to strike up a conversation with her, but all I got were one-word replies until she just stopped responding. Normally, I’d take the hint and move on, but with Hailey, I'm apparently incapable of acting like a rational person.

Leaning closer, Nick cackles as he presses the elevator button. “Maybe that woman needs the Jason treatment.”

I shove him away. “Would you shut the fuck up about that? ”

I know he's just kidding, he'd never seriously hurt someone for winning a jackpot but I don't need the reminder of my blow-up.

Nick pulls a vape from his pocket. When he smoked cigarettes, I used to get a break from his chatter when he stepped outside. No such luck now. He laughs as the elevator moves.

When we reach the penthouse, I glance towards the poker room and notice Hailey handing a drink to one of our guests—the grumpiest old man I’ve ever encountered.

Despite his surly demeanor, Hailey seems to be having a good conversation with him, and he even slides her a decent tip.

A pang of jealousy hits me when she smiles at him, even though it's not flirtatious. I end up staring too long, catching Savannah’s attention instead of Hailey’s.

She hurries over to me, an apologetic smile on her face.

“What’s going on?” I ask as she shuffles towards us in her heels.

“I fucked up earlier today,” she says.

Nick groans. “You didn’t crash the car I lent you, did you?”

“No.” She rolls her eyes, turning back to me. “I told Hailey about Jason. You know...” She mimics slitting her throat.

“What?” I snap. “How do you even know that happened to him? We cleared the room before he... you know.”

“I was dropping off some old clothes for that silent auction your mom’s hosting, and I ran into your dad. He told me.”

I scoff. “He has no goddamn filter.”

“Neither does Savannah,” Nick adds .

She playfully sticks her tongue out at him.

That my dad casually talked about a man I killed while Savannah dropped off a few boxes at my parents’ house is beyond me. But am I surprised? No.

“Well, that explains why Hailey's been ignoring my texts.”

“You’ve been texting her?” Nick raises his eyebrows.

I ignore him.

Savannah winces. “She’s been acting strange since I told her. It didn't help that some creeps followed us around the mall, but I forget how sheltered people are who didn’t grow up in our lifestyle.”

“Creeps?” I growl.

“Do we need to pay anyone a visit?” Nick suggests.

She dismisses it with a wave. “They didn't do anything. Just stared.”

That still pisses me off.

I glance at Hailey as she walks past us, and when our eyes meet, she stumbles slightly, turning her head as if the generic hotel paintings are suddenly masterpieces.

“I should get back to work,” Savannah says, turning away with a weak smile. She used to be the perfect wing-woman after she sensed my interest in Hailey, but she ruined that in a matter of days.

The rest of the night passes in a blur. No guests showed up from the last event, thanks to my outburst, so I made up for it by dealing most of the night.

One gambler got unusually lucky, ending the game early.

After the last guest leaves, I head over to the kitchen where Hailey and Savannah are tidying up.

“Good tips tonight?” I ask.

“Yes,” Savannah replies with a smile. “Hailey’s a natural, so everyone was more generous.”

Hailey blushes. “I doubt it had anything to do with me.”

Savannah rolls her eyes. “Where did your confidence go? With the gamblers gone, it’s like you’re a different person.”

She picks at the tips of her hair, glancing at me briefly before looking away. Savannah notices the tension and clears her throat. “I was planning on staying over at Nick’s tonight. Do you mind giving Hailey a ride home?”

Hailey’s eyes widen for a split second, but she quickly masks her emotions.

“Sure,” I reply, running my hands through my hair. I can’t pass up a chance to talk to her. “Are you about finished here?”

“I can handle the rest,” Savannah answers for her.

Hailey remains silent as we walk through the casino to where my car is parked. An elderly couple cheers in front of the machine that's insistent on putting us out of business. I quickly text one of our managers, instructing him to get it off the floor ASAP.

I slow my pace to match Hailey’s as we near the garage. She’s moving slowly, probably because of the torture contraptions on her feet. We reach the main staircase, and I subtly offer my arm, giving her the option to hold onto me as we descend.

She opts for both hands on the railing instead .

I give her space and let her walk ahead. Her dress has been driving me insane all night. If she knew the thoughts I’ve been having—even though I’d never act on them without her consent—there’s no way she’d accept a ride home from me.

Her face twists with pain as she rounds the base of the stairwell. I rush ahead to hold the door open for her. “You okay?”

“These heels are going to be the death of me.”

“Well, don’t wear those things. That’s more of Savannah’s style, anyway.”

“Really?” Her blue eyes meet mine.

“Sure, we don’t care.”

She seems to relax, and I wonder if her mood has more to do with the painful shoes rather than the fact I killed someone in front of her.

We reach my Lamborghini, and I watch her reaction as I open the scissor door for her.

Not because I'm a complete prick, but because I want insights into her past. She looks unimpressed as she sits down in the luxury vehicle. Interesting. Either she’s been around wealth before, or she dislikes me so much that she doesn’t care about sitting in my most prized possession.

I take my seat, glancing out of the corner of my eye as she puts on her seatbelt. Her dress rides up her smooth thighs even more. I focus my attention back on the parking garage and start driving away before she notices.

On the way to Savannah’s, I struggle to form what I want to say to her—to apologize for everything that happened the first night.

But I’m tongue-tied. I’ve never felt this sudden lack of confidence around a woman before.

“So, umm...” I swallow. She turns her attention from the window to me, causing me to lose my train of thought.

“Savannah told me about Jason... you know, how he...”

She gives a slight nod.

“Well, she shouldn’t have told you that.”

I’m tempted to jump out of this car and gleefully get run over the semi I just passed with how awkward I’m communicating.

“You lied to me.”

“What?” I snap, not comprehending her response.

“The other night, you said Nick drove him to the hospital, but Savannah said he died on the poker room floor.” I nod slowly, and she continues, “I don’t mind if someone’s a jerk or whatever, but I cannot stand being lied to.”

“So you’re more upset about the lie than the fact that I killed someone with my bare hands?”

“Yes.” She shrugs, as if it's obvious.

I slam the brakes at a red light, nearly missing it. “I don’t usually lie, but in this case, it’s safer if you didn’t know anything. The less information, the better.”

She rolls her eyes. “Savannah said something like that, then told me the truth later.”

“Look, I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.”

She gives me a hard stare before turning her attention back to the road.

I grip the wheel tightly and accelerate swiftly, causing her to jerk back into her seat .

“So, you aren’t bothered or scared by what happened?” I ask.

“I mean, a little, but I’ve seen worse.”

“Worse?” I nearly flattened that man’s face.

She nods absently, offering no further explanation.

My mind races with possibilities about what she’s been through.

Maybe she witnessed a terrible car accident or an act of violence in Chicago.

Perhaps she worked in a hospital or served in the military, or she could have come from a violent household.

I sigh in frustration; none of it makes any sense, and I can’t figure her out.

But it's not like I’m going to start spilling my business secrets just because she’s upset with me for lying.

We remain silent until I pull up in front of Savannah’s apartment.

Hailey’s hands slap the sides of her legs as if searching for pockets in her dress, then she swears under her breath. “I forgot to ask for her keys.”

I sigh. “Savannah never locks her fucking place up. She says she loses her keys too often and that if anything happened, she knows we’d go after them.”

Her face pales as she looks towards the building. “So, it’s been unlocked all night?”

I shrug. “Probably. If not, we’ll have to call and find out where she is. She might already be at Nick’s.” I notice her growing tenser with every word. “Let me walk you up, make sure everything's fine.”

She nods vigorously. “Please. ”

I get out of the car and scan the parking lot. It’s reasonable to be nervous about entering an unlocked apartment, especially for a woman I’d imagine, but Hailey looks like she’s walking to her death.

Instinctively, I put my arm around her, and she doesn't pull away as we walk up the stairs together. I can’t stand seeing her so scared, and it's worse that she won’t share what's going on. “Are you expecting someone specific in there, or are you just paranoid?”

“No, just paranoid,” she replies too quickly.

“Remember our conversation in the car? About you not wanting me to lie to you? I’d appreciate it if it went both ways.”

I feel her body tremble beneath my hand as she stutters various apologies and excuses that don’t add up.

We reach Savannah’s door, and I step in front of her, opening it with my hand resting on my gun.

Her fear has rubbed off on me. I nearly draw my weapon when Teddy rushes in, barking like a madman.

I crouch down, petting him until he calms. “See? The dog’s alright, that’s a good sign.

” I look back at her, noticing her knees are shaking.

“Stay here. I’ll check the rest of the place. ”

I pull out the gun, just in case, and methodically check each room. Hailey’s guest bedroom is organized at least, but I sift through clothes and clutter to ensure we’re not hosting any unwanted visitors. When I return to the living room, Hailey looks relieved, holding Teddy close.

“No one’s here. ”

“I’m sorry.” She sets the dog down. “I don’t know what made me so paranoid.”

I move closer, resting my hand on her arm. “If you have an ex-boyfriend you're worried about, it's no big deal. I can handle that.” I recall the domestic situations we've deescalated for other employees in the past. “Unfortunately, common too.”

“It’s nothing like that.” She looks up at me defiantly. My eyes fall to her lips, and I want to kiss her, but I'm sure that's the last thing she wants now.

“You can trust me,” I murmur.

She bites her lip and looks away, clearly conflicted.

I step closer, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. I’m close enough to smell her apple-scented shampoo.

She places her hand on my chest—I can’t tell if it’s to push away or pull me closer. Her fingers clutch the fabric of my shirt for a moment before dropping her hand. “I prefer to keep it to myself.”

“Fine.” I step back, unnerved. I’m not used to being unable to get the information I want. Maybe I should figure out some non-violent interrogation tactics for situations like this. I glance around the apartment one more time. “Are you okay staying here alone? I can crash on the couch.”

“Oh, no.” She smiles. “I’m just unnecessarily anxious. I think I need to make some tea.”

I try to give her the warmest smile possible and leave her, waiting to hear the lock click before heading back to my car.

I linger in the parking lot, expecting some seven-foot-tall masked man to approach Savannah’s apartment with a baseball bat.

She’s obviously hiding from someone. I tap my fingers on the steering wheel, wincing at the pain from the bite on my hand—something I've been managing without a doctor. If I wasn't so drawn to Hailey, I’d share everything with Nick and Dad. She's a risk to have employed here, and I don’t like that she’s putting Savannah in danger.

But I can’t throw her out onto the street.

A thought crosses my mind that maybe she should move in with me. I quickly push that away, knowing she wouldn't agree.

Eyeing the gas station nearby, I decide to buy an energy drink and keep an eye on the apartment for the rest of the night. I won’t be able to sleep, anyway.