Page 11 of Vegas Duology

“Alexis Titan,” Nicole said to the beefy man and flipped the tickets to him.He fixed her with a stare that was a cross between icy contempt and brain dead before checking his clipboard.

“It might be under Lexi,” Nicole added.

I watched as his face transformed and when he looked up, he might even have been smiling.

“Ms.Titan,” he said to Nicole.“Good evening.It’ll be just one moment.”He pressed a finger to his ear and began speaking in to what I assumed was a radio.Nicole looked back at me, as bewildered as I felt.In a few moments, another man, this one far less burly and much more handsome, appeared from behind the velvet curtain.

“Ms.Titan,” the new man said to Nicole as he offered her his hand.“My name is Mitchell.I’ll be looking after you this evening.It’s an absolute pleasure to meet you.”

“And you, Mitchell,” she said, shooting me another look.I shrugged.I didn’t know anything either.I’d never been to a club in Vegas, but I was pretty sure this type of treatment wasn’t normal.I didn’t have time to think about it too much because Mitchell was ushering us through the curtain.

“Leo has requested that I take special care of you tonight,” Mitchell said as we wound our way through the packed club.He had to yell to be heard over the music.Most people were pressed together in knots, standing, as there didn't appear to be many places to sit.The tables they did have were cordoned off with velvet ropes and plush chairs.Bouncers, clones to the one at the front door, stood at each opening, letting people in and out of the special sections.

“They must be important,” I said to Nicole.

“Either that or they have a lot of money,” she said.“That would be the life, wouldn’t it?”

“Ladies?”Mitchell had stopped walking and was watching us with concern.“Is everything all right?”

Nicole spun on her heel and crossed over to him.She looped her arm through his and purred, “Everything is just fine.We’re just wondering where exactly you’re taking us.”

Mitchell smiled; he was just as skilled at flirting as she was.“Not to worry,” he said.“We’re almost there.”

With Nicole’s arm still linked through his, he led us up a few stairs to a platform that seemed to float above the main floor, one side looking over the dance floor.There was a wall of water along the back, and the entire area was furnished with luxurious-looking couches and chairs.Of course, a thick red rope marked the area as special.

“Leo gave me strict instructions to treat the two of you very well,” he said and stopped.“Here we are.”The bouncer, who somehow looked even bigger than the last few I’d seen, released the barrier and Mitchell ushered us into the space.“Leo also told me to be sure that you have whatever you need.”

“This is amazing,” I said, trying not to stare.

We were the very important people.

“All of this is for us?”Nicole said to no one in particular.

“There’s a bar right here,” Mitchell was saying.He gestured to a side table where a multitude of bottles sat.Next to them, another table with an array of glasses and what looked like mixes.On a large ottoman, flanked by two very comfy looking chairs, sat two champagne flutes.A bottle of champagne was chilling in a bucket next to the table.Nicole turned to me; she was beaming.

Leo did all this?

“What can I get you to drink, Ms.Titan?”he said to Nicole.

“Well, actually,” Nicole’s voice faltered, “this is Ms.Titan.”She waved in my direction and I was surprised that she gave up the ruse; she seemed to be enjoying the spotlight.

Mitchell smiled and without missing a beat, he said, “Then you must be the birthday girl, Nicole.”

Nicole beamed, flipped her hair over her shoulder and said, “That’s me.It’s my very special day.”

“Of course it is and that’s why I think you should toast your birthday with a drink.”Mitchell handed us each a champagne flute and with a practiced hand, popped the cork before filling our glasses.

“If there is anything you two ladies need, just ask.I’ll be nearby,” Mitchell said and disappeared, snapping the rope into place behind him.

As soon as he left, Nicole faced me and said, “What on earth did you say to Leo to get us this place?”She threw her arms around me, her champagne sloshing a little.“Thank you, Lexi.You’re the best friend ever.”

“I didn't do this.”

“Of course you did.”She released me and raised her glass.“You need to make a toast.”

“Right.”I raised my glass as well.“To Nicole.May this year be more spectacular than the last.”We clinked and drank.The bubbles popped against the roof of my mouth and the back of my throat as I swallowed.I liked it.

“This is fantastic,” Nicole said, looking around our space.She walked to the edge and peered down at the people dancing.“We have the best seat in the house.”