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CHAPTER25
EPILOGUE
TEASER:WICKEDINK EXTRAS
AbouttheAuthor
AlsoWrittenbyM.A.Lee
Playlist
LedZeppelin- All My Love
DecyferDown- Fading
JustinMoore- Somebody Else Will TheWeekend- I Feel It Coming
TheWallflowers- 6th Avenue Heartache
FinleyQuaye- Dice
BrettYoung- In Case You Didn’t Know
ElvisPresley- Fools Rush In FrankSinatra- I Did it My Way
I think I’m going to puke. Sittingatthekitchentableinmyparents’home,Iwassilentlyjudgingtheassholesthatmyparentscallfriends Well,Iguess thatwasn’tfair.Myparentswereassholes,too.
Everyone was outside, surroundingmydadatthe grill as he toldanother stupid joke, andmymomwas rushingaround as peoplegushedathowwonderfulherdessertstasted.AsIwatchedmyboyfriendoftwoyears,Allan,laughatmydad’sjokesas though they were hilarious, I couldn’t help but let out a groan. When he took a bite of my mom’s famous lemon pie and complimentedher,Ialmostcameundone Iftheyonlyknewshehadpurchasedallofthosedelectabletreatsatthelocalbakery andthenthrewthemintoherowncookingpans,theywouldn'tbesoimpressed.
Walkingoutthedoor as thepartycametoanend,Allanspunaroundandplacedasweetkiss onmylips.Ialmostcringed fromhistouch.NotbecausetherewasanythingwrongwithAllan,butbecauseIdidn’tlovehim.
I have to get out of here Mymindbecamefoggyfromthesmoke Ofcourse,thiswashowmyeighteenthbirthdaywouldgo Allmylife,myparentshadeitherforgottenorrefusedtoacknowledgemybirthday.Astheonlysurvivingtwinfromtheirfirst andonlypregnancy,Ihadbeenblamedforthedeathofmytwinbrotherwhodiedduringchildbirth Somehow,itwasmyfault thathediedinsteadofme.Theyhadwantedaboy somethingtheyremindedmeofdaily.Iwasn’tsurehowitwasmyfault, butitwas.Everythingwasmyfault.
Iwas confused as Iused myhands to feel around the door frame Ihad onlygraduated fromhighschool a weekago, and todaywas mybirthday. Instead of throwinga party, myparents invited their friends over for a cookout. Anevent I wasn’t invitedtoattend
Lyingontheground,Iheardthefaintsoundsofsirensinthedistance,comingthisway.Iwassureaneighborhadcalledthe fire stationwhentheyfirstsaw flames Glancingup atmyhouse now, Isaw onlyorange and red flames dancingaround the structure.NolongerdidIseethewhitebrick,ranch-stylehomethatmyparentsadoredandpossiblylovedmorethanme. “Are youokay?” Iheardmydadask,fromthe frontofthe house Iwas hiddeninthe grass below mywindow,andIwas certainnoonecouldseeme.
“Yes,”mymothercriedout,asIheardherfeetshufflingonthesidewalk. I wanted to yell out to them. To tell themI was safe before theyworried or told someone I was still trapped inside the burninginferno.
“Wait,”shesaid,asshelookedaroundher Thefireenginehadjustpulledup,andseveralmeninheavysuitsrantowardus, carryinga hose withthem. “She’s probablyalreadydead ifshe didn’tescape atthis point,” she said, ina calmand steady voice
Glancingfrommymomand backto their smoke-infested house, mydad justnodded inagreement. Pure anger flooded my bodyas Iwatched myparents;the two people who should love me and wantto save me more thananything, justacceptmy death.
Asmyfeetshuffledontheground,asmallsmilespreadacrossmylips.Theheatfromthefirestillcausedmetosweat,butI didn’tcare.WithmyfamilythinkingIwasdead,Icouldleavehereandbecomesomeoneelse.Notthegirlwhosurvivedwhen everyonebelievedsheshouldhavedied Icouldbeme Lizzie Thegirlwhowasbornfromtheflames Iwalkedandallowedmyfeettocarrymetomyfinaldestination.Ihadtobecarefulthough.Withthechaosbuildingfromthe wreckage ofmyhouse, all ofthe neighborhood was outonthe street, watchingthe turmoil Walkingthroughthe shadows, I spottedmybestfriendAverystandingwithherparents.Withhermother’sarmdrapedaroundhershoulders,shesobbed. Partofme wanted to keep walkingand leave everyone behind, butIcouldn’tleave Avery. As myone and onlyfriend, I couldn’tleavewithmylastimageofherbeingoneofanguish.Runningbehindalargetree,Ipickedupasmallrockfromthe roadandthrewitatAvery.
Quicklyturning, she spotted me justunder a large oaktree liningthe road. Offeringme a bewildered glance, Iplaced my fingerstomylipsinanefforttohushher.Slowlysteppingback,Averymadeherwayovertome.
“Whatthehellareyoudoing?”Averyscoldedmeinawhisper “Everyonethinksyou’redead” “I woke up, and the house was engulfed in flames. I almost didn’t make it out alive,” I cried, as I shook all over. The magnitudeoftheeventwasn’tlostonmenow
Iwatched mybestfriend closely Her long, yellow-blond hair was pulled backina ponytail, and her sparklingblue eyes glitteredeveninthedarknessofthenight.Averywasbeautifulandlovedbyeveryonewhoknewher.Forsomeoddreason,she chosemetobefriendswithinfifthgrade.Withmyblandbrownhairandbrowneyes,Ihadenviedhersincethefirstdaywe met,andshecarriedaLisaFrankbackpack Averywastheonlyonewhoknewhowterriblemyparentsweretome Shehad witnessedtheirhatredofmemultipletimesbutnevertoldanyonewhenIbeggedhernotto.Now,standinginfrontofme,Iwas waitingforhertounderstandwhatIwasdoing
“Avery,thisismychance.Icangetoutofhereandleavemyhorribleparentsbehind,”Isaid,mysmilegrowingwider. “Oh,Lizzie,”Averycried,asshethrewherarmsaroundme “Thisisgreat!” “See, I canbe whoever I want now. I’mnot the evil twinanymore. I’mnot the girl who isn't loved byher parents. I’m Lizzie,”Ifinished.
Smiling, Avery reached for my hand “Your mom always hated that nickname, Lizzie,” Avery said, with a smirk Even throughhertears,shefoundawaytosmile.ThatwasjustoneofthethingsIlovedandadmiredaboutmybestfriend.Glancing aroundatthechaosjustupthestreetfromwherewestood,Averyturnedseriousagain So What’syourplan?”
Allaroundme,brightlightsglowedthroughoutthelargecityIhadjustarrivedin.Showersofreds,golds,andbluespainted thescenebeforemeasvoicesblendedinwiththesoundsofhonkingcarsandloudmusic.Eachshiningcolortemptedme to stayand find pleasure amongthe large buildings and crowds ofpeople. There was somethingveryenticingand alluring aboutacitythatneversleeps Almostlikeitheldsecretsanddesiresthatcouldonlybeunlockedwithonetouch
I squeezed through the crowd of people blocking my path on the sidewalk as I looked up at the large hotel and casino toweringaboutme.HardRockHotelandCasinowasmorethanwhatIhadeverexpectedordreamedittobe.
Wewereonthemostfocalpointofthestrip,theboulevardwheredreamscometrue,andyoucouldgofromragstoriches overnight. Or vice versa. I darted my eyes fromthe fountains gushing vibrant colors as lights were synchronized to music playingfromhiddenlocations Withonelook,itwaslikeyou’dsomehowtransportedalltheworld'sgemsontoonefour-mile stretch.IcouldseeEgyptianpyramids,theEiffelTower,andElvisPresleyallinonecity.
SinceIhadlefthomethreeyearsago,thiswasthefirsttimeIfoundhopeandhappiness Ihadadreamandnow,Iwasone stepclosertoachievingthatdream.Allmylife,IhadbeenforcedtomaintainasmileonmyfaceasIpretendedtoenjoyhaving mylifemappedoutforme.WheneverIwantedabreakfromreality,Iwoulddraw.Sometimes,Iwouldjustdoodleshapesand thenexplore colors and shades Artwas calmingto me;itwas anoutletfor mypainand anxietybroughtonbyemotionally abusiveparents,knowingIlivedalifepeoplebelievedIstolefrommytwin.Now,IrealizedIcouldmakeartnotjustahobby andcopingmechanism,butacareer,too Ifeltanoverwhelmingsenseofexcitementbuildinme WiththehighofVegasandthe rushofseeingmyselfone step closer to mydream, Ifeltanunbelievable high. As we moved closer to the revolvingdoors leadingtothelargecasinoandhotel,IheldmybreathandpinchedmyarmtomakesureIwasn’thallucinating.
Evenatthe witchinghour ofmidnight, people lurked around the casino, watchingone another and searchingfor their next win.EverythingaboutthisplacescreamedthatIdidn’tbelong,butithuggedmeandpulledmeinanyway.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, the nextpoker matchwill take place inthe Millionaire’s Roomintwenty-minutes,” a loud voice boomedoverheadwherewestood.
IglancedatAverywhowasasentrancedwiththeroomasIwas “Wow,”shebreathed.“Thisplaceisimpressive,”Averysaid,withalargesmileformingonherlips.Herblueeyessparkled inthegleaminglightsoverheadandifIdidn’tknowheraswellasIdid,Iwouldswearshehadjustfoundtheloveofherlife Irecognized thatlookbecause Iknew Ihad the same expressiononmyolive-colored face. For the firsttime inmylife, I foundlove.Onlymylovecameintheformofpokerchipsandbrightlights.Tome,LasVegaswasfreedom.Itwasanewstart. Thecitywasmynewhomeandmother,anditwasenvelopingmeinalargehug
Whenmyfamilyhomewassetintoablazinginferno,Ihadfoundmyonlyoutletandwaytoescapemyhorrificlife Avery had never thoughttwice aboutjoiningme a monthlater. Her familyhad allowed her to take a year offcollege to travel and ‘findherself’whileIworkedandsavedenoughmoneytogetmetothenexttown
Because she and I were close and well, Averywas amazing. She had talked her familyinto allowingher to take online coursesatalocalhometownuniversityuntilwetransferredtotheNevadaSchoolforGraphicDesign NotoncedidAveryever tellherfamilyoranyoneelseforthatmatter,thatIwasstillalive.
In the eyes of the world, Elizabeth Sawyers was dead. Lizzie Sawyers was here now, and Avery and I were both on a missiontomakesuremyrevivalfromthedeadwasn’tinvain
I looked downand couldn’t help but notice how muchI didn’t belonghere. Withmyyellow sundress and curled hair, I looked like Iwas readyto head to churchand notcheckinto a wild casino and askfor a job. Averyhad a pointthough;my behaviorwaserratic,andpeoplewerelookingatme.Maybeitwastheyellowdress?
Asweslowlystrodepasttheblackenedwindows,thevolumeinthelargeroomseemedtoamplifywithcheersassomeone openedthemassiveglassdoorstoallowthewaitingmeninsidetheMillionaire’sRoom Asthelineparted,Ispottedasetof muscular and tanned arms holdingthe heavydoors open. The menseemed to take a few steps backas the manglowered at them Withoutwords,hecommandedtheirattentionandorder
As myeyes traileduphis hardchestcoveredina blackt-shirt,Ifounda stern-lookingface staringrightatme.His heavy browneyeswereputtingmeinatrance,andIcouldn’tseemtolookawayfromhim.
“Youneed to finishgettingdressed so we canapplyat restaurants and casinos We’re onlybooked at this place for two nights.Wecan’taffordtostayheremuchlonger,”Isaid,makingsuretoremindAveryofourdiresituation.
Asherphonebuzzed,Iturnedbacktomywindow andwatchedthepeoplebelow.Avery’sparentscalleddaily,especially becausetheybelievedshewastravelingalone IhatedthatAveryhadtolietoherparents,butshewasdoingittokeepmesafe If anyone frommy previous life knew I was still alive, I would be forced to go back to my parents. I couldn’t do that. I wouldn'tdothat
We stepped out into the brightlylit hallwayand walked downthe crimson-red carpet and gold-painted walls toward the massivelineofelevators.Iwassurprisedbythenumberofpeopleawakeandreadyfortheday.Itwasonlyalittlepasteight inthemorning;mostpeopleIwassureofwouldstillbeasleep.ButIguessVegaswasnamedthecitythatneversleepsfora reason
“No.I’mherenow,andIdemandtospeaktoamanager.Ifoneisn’tavailable,Icaneitherwaithereorcomebackwithlocal authoritiestotakecareofmycomplaint,”Averystated,inamatter-of-facttone Ijuststood and watched her withwide eyes as she lied to this woman. Iwasn’tsure ifher planwould work, butIwas impressedwithheractingskills Ihadtogiveittoher,Averywassmartandbeautifulandwonderfullyconniving Finallylookingup, the womanlooked a little startled and pissed off. “Hold on,” she snapped, as she picked up a black telephoneanddialed.Whensomeonefinallyanswered,shetoldthemaboutour‘situation’andthenhungup.“Someonewillbe withyouinonemoment,”shefinished,beforereturningtoignoreusagain
Openingher mouth, the womanwentto speakbutthoughtbetter ofit The manglowered his eyes atus for a momentand seemedtobesizingusup.“Normally,Iwouldn'tgiveeitheroneofyouachancewithoutschedulinganappointment.I’mavery busyman. However, one waitress didn’t show up today, and another I had to fire because she got herself knocked up and lookedawfulintheuniform,”hesaid,ashestaredalittletoolongatmybreasts.
As we turnedtowalktowardthe casinobar,myeyes were drawntothe same maninblackfromyesterday.Staringatme withthesameintensegaze,hewatchedmelikehewasangry Decidingtobethebiggerperson,Ismiledandofferedaslight wave.
Gloweringhiseyesatme,IwatchedasthesexyguyranuptoJimandstartedaveryheatedconversation.Icouldn’thelpbut wonder whattheycouldbearguingabout Especiallysincetheir argumentbeganafter ahotandsexyguysaw me Icouldn’t helpbutfeelalittleparanoidthatitmighthavesomethingtodowithme.Whateveritwasabout,thisguywasn’thappyabout thefinaloutcome
Throwinghis hands up inthe air, hotand sexyguystomped awayand wentthrougha door marked for employees only. I guessIwashardcorestaringbecausethenextthingIknew,bothAveryandJimwerebymyside,givingmestrangelooks. “Ladies,Iforgottomentionsomething.Employeesgetfiftypercentoffroomsatthecasino.Ifyouwanttostayheretonight,I cangiveyouagreatrate,”heoffered,handingustwocards.
Rubbinghishandalonghisjaw,Jimlookedlikehewasstrugglingwithsomething Lettingoutalongsigh,heturnedtoboth ofus.“Ican’thaveyoutwolivinginsomerat-infestedapartmentontheoutskirtsoftown.Itellyouwhat,youtwocanstayin oneoftheroomshereforfreeifyoupromisetoworkextrashiftsandbeoncallwheneverIneedyou,”Jimoffered I wanted to throw my arms around his chubby neck and kiss his stubble cheek. This man just gave us a wonderful gift. Withouthavingtopayrent,Icouldsavemoremoneytopayformyschoolandgetmyselfonestepclosertomydream.IknewI wasn’tabouttoembarkonajourneyofself-discoveryataneliteschool No,theschoolIwasabouttoattendwasanine-month technicalschool,butitwouldstillhelpmegaintheknowledgeIneededtousemytalenttolaunchacareerformyself.
“Thankyousomuch,Jim,”Ibeamed,asIfoughttheurgetojumpintohisarms “Noproblem.Butlet’sjustkeepthisourlittlesecret.Wedon’twanttomaketheotheremployeesjealous.”Hechuckledto himself “Ihaveenoughofmystaffpissedoffatmedaily Idon’tneedtogivethemanymoreammunition,”hefinishedwitha grunt.
Justthen, hotand sexyguyswungopenthe employees onlydoor and strutted toward us Seeinghim, Jimrolled his eyes “Excuseme,ladies.Oneofmyemployeesneedsme.Watchoutforthisone,”Jimsaid,pointingatthehotandsexyguy.“Chase hasahottemperandisalwayspissedoff,”hefinished.
“Yes Irunalegitcasinohere,butthisisVegas,sweetheart Badguysmaketheirwayin,andwehavealotofmoneytrading hands.Ican’tbetoocareful,”Jimsaid.“Ialsohiredafewofthelocalpoliceofficerstoworkinthecasino.We’vehadsome issues withthe mob before here, especiallyRossi;he’s a paininmyass. So, GreyHudsonis incharge ofmakingsure we eliminateanyproblemstoobig,beforemysecurityguysneedtogetinvolved”
Two menwere arguinginfrontofme aboutwho had wonand who had cheated atthe lastblackjacktable theyhad both played at Mostdays, Iloved workingsecurityinfrontofthe Millionaire’s Room Ididn’thave to worryaboutdrunksluts tryingtohitonmeorbreakuptoomanyfights.Thehighrollersthatenteredthisroomhadmoney,andtheywantedtokeepit thatway Theyplayed to win, and there was anair ofrespectthatsurrounded all ofus Tonight, though, Ihad to watchtwo jackasses argue backand forthwhenall I wanted to do was to punchthembothinthe throat to shut themup. But Jimhad warnedmemoretimesthanIlikedtoadmitthatIcouldn’thitthecustomers BeinganMMAfightermademealethalweapon, andhecouldn’thandlealawsuitagainsthiscasino.So,IshutmymouthandignoredthebastardsuntilIwasgiventhesignalto letmorepeopleintothesmallandprivateroom.
Iwasjustabouttoopenthedoorstoaddafewmorecustomersin,whenmyeyefellonthemostbeautifulwomanIhadever seen. Sure, I saw loads of gorgeous women roaming around Vegas. Hell, I had slept with most of them. But this girl was different Herlong,brownhairlookedmorelikehoneythananycolorIhadeverseenbefore Herhazeleyesseemedtoglow asshespottedmefromacrosstheroom.ForthefirsttimesinceIhadstartedworkingheretenyearsago,theroomseemedto lightuplikeastage,andthisbeautifulcreaturewasthestaroftheshow Withherintheroom,thecasinodidn’tlooksodirty anymore.Instead,itheldapeacefulandclassyglow.
Shakingmyhead, Isighed as Imotioned for a few more people to enter, includingthe two idiots who had beenarguing. WhenIlookedupagain,thegirlwasgone
Now, Iwas pissed. Iwasn’tsure whyIcared who she was or whyshe was here, butIdid. Iwasn’tinterested indating anyone anymore. After mylastfailed relationships,Ihad learnedthe hard waythatmostwomenjustwanted me for sexand access into the casino. Sure, it had its benefits, but I was tired of being used. I experienced enough of that growing up. Somehow,though,thisgirlmademewanttoknowwhereshewas.Sheshouldn’tbehere,andIneededhertoknowthat. All ittookwas one lookfromthe mysterious girl inthe yellow dress,andmyentire worldhadbeenrockedtoits fucking core.Itwascrazyhowallittookwasjustonelookfromthosemesmerizinghazeleyesformyhearttobeatagainforthefirst timeinmylife Shedidn’tknowwhothehellIwas,andtruthbetold,Ididn’tknowhereither Noneofthatmatteredthough This girl,whoIdidn’tevenknow,whoshouldn’thavemeantanythingatall tome,hadmademerealizeonething Iwould neverbegoodenoughforthegirlwiththehoney-coloredhair.ButIwoulddamnsuretry.
Offeringa wicked grin, Tanner looked atmylips before trailinghis eyes over mybody. Leaningin, he placed his mouth barelyinchesfrommyear.Hiswarmbreathsenttinglesdownmybodyasheleanedincloser.“Youshouldbreakupwithhim, becauseifyouwerehappywithhim,youwouldbeherewithhimnow Besides,Ihaveagirlfriend,butyouknowthesaying whathappensinVegasstaysinVegas.”
Okay, now was the time Ineeded to send Tanner and his shittylines ontheir way. Before Icould reactthough, a pair of stronghandsgrabbedTannerandliftedhimupbyhisshirtcollar.
Avery, Tanner, and I all stood still, mesmerized by Spencer Chase Jimcalled himChase like that was his first name However,itseemedasthoughChasewasthenamehepreferredtobecalled.Ilikedit.Actually,Ilikedbothnames.Theywere eachindividuallysexyandalluring,buttogether,theyweredelicious Iswear,IhadtoremindmyselftobreatheasIlookedat him.ThathadtobethemostimpressiveandsexythingIhadeverwitnessedinmyentirelife.
“Is there somethingwrong?” Iasked, as he stood withhis backto me. Icould see Averywatchingme witha smile, and I knewIhadtofindoutwhathisproblemwas “No,”Chasesnappedback.
Huffing,IdecidedIdidn’tcomethis far toletsomeoneelsetalkdowntomeor actlikeIwas scum.“Look,Idon’tknow whatyourproblemis,butyou’reactinglikearealassholerightnow.Idon’tlikethewayyoulookatmelikeIdisgustyou.And Jimtoldmeyouweren’thappythathehiredme.Well,toobad.”
Chase finallyturned, and his eyes widened as he tookme in DecidingIshouldn’tstop now thatIhad his full attention, I continued,“I’mnowpartofthisstaff.Ifwe’regoingtobeworkingtogether,theleastyoucandoissayhelloornotlookatme likeI’msomeshitstainyouhavetocleanup”
Stillinshock,Isomehowmanagedtoordermydrink Iwouldneedseveralmoretonighttogetmepreparedfortomorrow’s trainingwiththehottestandbiggestass.IjustprayedIdidn’tmake a fool outofmyselfandholdittogether while Iworked withChase
Theideathatwatchinganotherguyhitonhermademeangrywasevencrazier,likeIwantedtokillsomeonewithmybare hands,angry.Ihadhookedupwithlotsofwomenbeforeandwatchedthemflauntthemselveswithotherguysinthehopesof making me jealous But none of their tricks had worked I had never felt so much desire for another human, and this raw emotionbothterrifiedandelectrifiedme.
Ofcourse,Jimwantedtokeepthelittleinnocentvixenaround.LooksthatLizziepossessedcouldn’tbeboughtordrawnon. She had anallure thatwould drive the menaround here crazyand make themwantto come backjustto geta little taste of sweet,beautifulLizzie.
Isteppedontoatreadmillandjoggedatasteadypace,while80spopmusicblaredintomyears,providingmewithjustthe rightamountofenergyto do myhour workout. Iwas so lostinmyownmusic and running, Ididn’tevennotice anyone else comingin Itwasn’tuntilIreachedforadrytowelonthecounterthatIspottedsomeoneelseintheroom
Chase satonone ofthe benches, liftinganexcessive amountofweight. His face was red as his muscular arms trembled beneaththe massive weight He let out a loud grunt and a heavy, deep breathas he pushed the bar up and down His head barelyturnedtonoticeme,butIwasverywellawarethathesawme.
“Sorry,” Imumbled, as Itried to pushmyselfoffhis massive chest We were so close, Ifelthis warmbreathagainstmy cheek.Hecontinuedtostandlikeawallinfrontofme,intimidatingmewhilealsocausingmetogrowwetbetweenmylegs. “Noproblem,”hesaid,ashischestheaved,andhiseyesstayedlockedonmine. Neitheroneofusmoved Wejuststoodtransfixedontheotherasourbodieswereonlyinchesapart RealizingIneededto getmyheadtogether,Itookasteptothesideandmovedoutfrombeneathhisshadow.Ineededtogetbacktomyroomandget ready Atthispoint,Ineededacoldshower
AsAveryandIwenttoasmallofficeareatochange,Icouldn’thelpbutgiggleasIobservedmyselfinafull-lengthmirror hangingonthebackofthedoor Smallcubbieslinedthebackwallwitheveryone’spersonalitems Mysparklinggoldtopbarelycoveredmybreastsandwenttothemiddleofmystomach.ThankgoodnessIworkedoutand had a decent-lookingstomach, or this would be a bigproblem The shortblackskirtonlymade its waypastmybottomand showedoffmoreofmylegsthanIhadeverallowedinpublic.
Anolder womanwearinga gold shirttucked into her long, blackskirtrolled her eyes and thenmade her wayto us Ina huskyvoice,sheaddressedus,“Jimalreadytoldmethismorning.Youknow,Chase,youmightactuallygetpeopletolikeyou ifyouputasmileonthatfaceofyoursandstoppedwalkingaroundherelikeyouhaveastickupyour ass,”shesaid,asshe motionedforAveryandmetofollowher.
Iinstantlylikedthiswomanwhoappearedtobeinherfifties.Shehadwrinklesandlinesaroundhermouththatshowedshe was a smoker,andIcouldtell she was tough.Eventhroughher toughexterior,itwas clear she was the momma ofthe staff. Thatmademelikeherevenmore.Ineverhadatruemother.Chasejustignoredherinsultashefollowedusoutthekitchenand intothecasino
“All right, ladies. My name is Sammy, and I’ve worked at this casino for thirty years. Jim let me upgrade to a more respectableuniformonceIstartedtoputonsomeweight,”sheadded,withasmirk “Andhewastiredofyourconstantbitching,”Chaseadded.
And so, we beganour daywatchingSammyas she flirted her wayto the customers. We learned where to place our drink ordersandhowtocollectourtips Itallseemedprettyeasytoremember TheonlyproblemwasthatChasestayedgluedtous thewholeday.Iwasn’tsurewhy,butIwouldfindout.
“Also, the customers aren’t allowed to touch the staff Even if they’re hot or sweet talkers We can’t give anyone the impressionthatthisisn’tanupstandingplace.Justpolitelyremindanyonewhogetsoutofhandofthecasinopolicyandifthat doesn’twork,youmotionforsecurity.They’llbelocatedallthroughoutthecasinoandrooms.”
Rollingher eyes, Sammycoughed before talking “Thatboyis angryatthe world I’mprettysure he works sevendays a week,”shesaid.“Hedoesn’treallysharehispersonallifewithanyofus.”
Breakinginand takingthe attentionoffme, Averybeganher line ofquestioning “So, whydo we need securitytrainingif we’rejustwaitingoncustomersatthecasino?”
“Themenaroundthesecasinoscangetalittletouchysometimes Besides,wehavesomehighrollerswhocomeinhereand alotofpeoplewhowanttotaketheirmoney.It’sbesttoalwaysknowwherethesecurityisandtohavethemawareofwhere youareatalltimes Thisisabigplace I’veseensomebadthingshappenhere Justbecarefulandkeepyoureyesopenatall times,” Sammy said, as she made a note to show us several other men wearing black shirts and pants walking around the casino.
After training all day, my feet ached, and I was dead tired. Avery, though, had dragged me to the casino bar again. She enjoyedthefreedrinksemployeesreceivedoncetheywereofftheclock
Wehadfoundatableinthebackofthebar,andIwasstillreelingfromthewaySpencerChasehadlookedatme.Theway he acted like he was conflicted just beingnear me had me so drivento find out who he reallywas Underneaththat stoic expressionandhardexterior,therehadtobesomethingthatmadeChasewhohewas.Ineededtoknowwhothisguywasand whyhefeltlikehewasaboveme…orwhyhemightwanttobeunderme.
Irefusedtomeethergaze Iknewshewasright,butsomethinginmyguttoldmetocyberstalkthisguy AsIwaitedforthe searchenginetoloadtheinformation,Ilookedaroundattheloudandboomingroom.Everyoneseemedtobehavingsuchan amazingtime.Smileslittheirfacesaslaughterandmusicblendedtogethertomaketheperfectharmony.Isighed,asItookitall in
Finally, article after article appeared on the phone, each showcasing the epic Spencer Chase. Noticing my astonished expression,Averyleaptoutofherchairandrantomysideofthetable Shejustcouldn’tsitbackandwatch;shehadtogetin onthejuicygossiptoo.
Clickingonthe nextlink, Isaw images ofa stern-faced Chase as he stood withhis opponent Another image showed him kickinganother guyinthe face. The steel shot showed the painacross the other man’s face as Chase’s legmade contact. I cringed,asIthoughtabouthowpainfulthatmusthavebeen forbothmeninvolved
Scrollingdownthepage,Isaw several photos ofSpencer Chase,another sternandboredlookacross his face,as several scantilycladwomenclawedaroundhim.AtingeofjealousyandangerwashedthroughmeasIlookedatthewomenwiththeir hands and breasts draped across Chase’s body. The articles eachread how he was seenout and about inbigcities witha different womaneachnight. He had beenlinked to everygirl frommodels to small televisionactresses and evena female MMAfighter Regardlessoftheauthorofeacharticle,thesameinformationwaspouredontothepages SpencerChasedidn’t settledown.SpencerChaselikedwomen.Lotsofwomen.
My fingers quickly moved the page up. I had seen enough to get to the point; Chase was a womanizer. He was used to beautifulandsexywomensurroundinghim.
Steppinginto the darkened club, myeyes traveled to the center of the roomwhere a large silver disco ball hungover a massive dance floor Mirrored walls lined the space, and Isaw people dancingtogether, their sweatybodies gyratingto the rhythmofthe upbeattechno music. Womenwearingnude leotards danced incages propped up around the room. Large men stood guard, daringanyone to getclose to the exotic dancers Iwas sure mymouthwas hangingdownto the ground, and as Averygrabbedmyhandandpulledmefurtherintotheclub,Ifeltahighofexhilarationhitme.Tonightwouldbegreat. AveryandImadeourwaythroughthepackeddancersandjumpedaroundaswesangloudlytoan80spopsongonauto-tune. IhadagreattimeasIletallmyworriesandfearsescapethrougheachmoveofmylegsandhips.Iwasyoungandvibrant,and Iwouldbethatgirltonight.
Whenthe songended, Averyand I, alongwithour designated boytoys for the evening, rushed to the bar where we threw backshots. Witheachdrinkofliquidcourage, Ifeltthe warmalcohol stingmythroatand kickmysenses inlow drive. Ino longercaredaboutChaseorifhewerewatchingme.AllIwantedwastodanceandallowmyselftogetlostinthenight. Afterourfourthshot,Ifeltmyheadspinasmybodyfeltdizzy Iwasstill dancingaroundwithLandon,andhishandsstill roamedovereveryinchofmybody.Sleepbeckonedme,andIwasn’tsurehowmuchlongerIcouldstand,letalonedance. “I’mtired,”Islurredatthegroupstilldancingaroundme “Youcancomeuptomyroom,”Landonsuggested,withawink.
Placinghis arms under mylegs and back, Chase lifted me offthe bed and ranwithme to the bathroom. Layingme onthe marbletile,heopenedthetoiletandheldmyhairbackjustintime
“Are youfuckingkiddingme?” Chase yelled, as he stomped his foot. “Youwere so drunk, youcould barelystand. You weren’tthinkingaboutwhatthatstrangercoulddotoyou.Someonecouldhavereallytakenadvantageofyou;Ijuststeppedin beforeanythingcouldhappen,”hesaid.
