9781405964197

Eloise Eden’s lifelong dream is to own The Eloise Inn. All she has to do is prove to her parents that she’s the epitome of responsible. That her days of being duped and making reckless decisions are history. She’s so close she can taste it.

-SARAH

Prod Controller

-HELEN

Pub Month

NOV 23

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Until after one weekend in Las Vegas, she comes home married to a stranger.

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129 X 198 MM

Print Size

129 X 198 MM

Spine Width

Jasper must have put her under a spell with those souldeep eyes because after a single night together, they woke up husband and wife. Her only hope is to keep this marriage a secret until it’s annulled. Then she’ll pretend it never happened.

Finish

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FINISHES

Except Jasper begs her to stay married. To fake it for three months so she can accompany him to a wedding.

Maybe she’s lost her mind to agree. But her brooding husband seems desperate. It’s only three months, right?

Then she’ll say goodbye to Jasper Vale and, with any luck, hello to her new hotel.

PENGUIN Fiction Cover design by Sarah Hansen; Cover photos © Shutterstock £0.00

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15/09/2023 09:59

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Jasper Vale Devney Perry is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of over forty romance novels. After working in the technology industry for a decade, she abandoned conference calls and project schedules to pursue her passion for writing.

She was born and raised in Montana and now lives in Washington with her husband and two sons.

P EN GU I N B O O K S

PENGUIN BOOKS UK | USA | Canada | Ireland | Australia India | New Zealand | South Africa Penguin Books is part of the Penguin Random House group of companies whose addresses can be found at global.penguinrandomhouse.com

First published in the United States of America by Devney Perry LLC 2022 First published in Great Britain by Penguin Books 2023 001 Copyright © Devney Perry LLC, 2022 The moral right of the author has been asserted Edited & proofread by Elizabeth Nover, Razor Sharp Editing; Julie Deaton, Deaton Author Services; Judy Zweifel, Judy’s Proofreading and Kaitlyn Moodie, Moodie Editing Services Printed and bound in Great Britain by Clays Ltd, Elcograf S.p.A. The authorized representative in the EEA is Penguin Random House Ireland, Morrison Chambers, 32 Nassau Street, Dublin D02 YH68 A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library ISBN: 978–1–405–96419–7

www.greenpenguin.co.uk Penguin Random House is committed to a sustainable future for our business, our readers and our planet. This book is made from Forest Stewardship Council® certified paper.

OTHER TITLES

The Edens Series

Indigo Ridge Juniper Hill Garnet Flats Jasper Vale Crimson River Sable Peak Christmas in Quincy - Prequel The Edens: A Legacy Short Story Treasure State Wildcats Series

Coach Blitz Clifton Forge Series

Steel King Riven Knight Stone Princess Noble Prince Fallen Jester

Tin Queen Calamity Montana Series

The Bribe The Blu! The Brazen The Bully The Brawl The Brood Jamison Valley Series

The Coppersmith Farmhouse The Clover Chapel The Lucky Heart The Outpost The Bitterroot Inn The Candle Palace Maysen Jar Series

The Birthday List Letters to Molly The Dandelion Diary

Lark Cove Series

Tattered Timid Tragic Tinsel Timeless Runaway Series

Runaway Road Wild Highway Quarter Miles Forsaken Trail Dotted Lines Holiday Brothers Series

The Naughty, The Nice and The Nanny Three Bells, Two Bows and One Brother’s Best Friend A Partridge and a Pregnancy Standalones

Ivy Rifts and Refrains A Little Too Wild

CONTENTS

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Epilogue

1 15 14 27 25 43 41 57 54 69 66 80 83 93 90 107 103 121 116 129 135 145 139 152 159 166 173 187 179 199 191 204 213 227 217 237 227 241 251 263 253 265 275 274 285 299 287 311 298 321 307 325 310 335 319 326 343

Bonus Epilogue Acknowledgments About the Author Preview Chapter

333 351 339 357 341 361

CHAPTER ONE ELOISE

T

he Bellagio fountain sprayed water high into the air as lights lit up the streams. The white hotel stood proudly in the backdrop as the water twirled and danced in time with the music, a dramatic violin concerto.

“It looks like moonbeams.” I sighed, leaning my head against Lyla’s shoulder. “This is magical. We should put a water fountain in The Eloise.”

My sister giggled. “Good luck convincing Dad.” “Can you imagine?” I snorted. “First, he’d tell me no.

Then, he’d give me that scowly face where his eyebrows come together and he tilts his head to the side.”

“Whenever he gives me the scowly face, he adds the blinky eyes,” she said.

“Oh, yeah. The blinky eyes. I forgot about those.” Dad would blink ten or eleven or twenty times in a row, like he was trying to !gure out if I was joking or serious. “You know what I think is crap? I’ve never seen Dad give the scowlyblinky combo to Gri"n, Knox or Mateo.”

“Right? He saves it for us girls.”

1

DEVNEY PERRY

“Unfair.”

According to Dad, our brothers didn’t typically cause him the same kind of stress he claimed came with daughters.

Whatever that meant.

“Are you drunk?” Lyla asked.

“Yep.” I nodded. “You?” Lyla hiccupped. “That meant yes.”

I looped my arms with hers, snuggling closer as a dreamy smile settled on my face.

My limbs were a little loose. My head was a little fuzzy.

My heart was a little light, !oating through the air like mist.

Drunk and happy, like the water fountain show.

“Tonight was fun,” I murmured.

“Super fun. I’m glad we came. And I’m glad Foster won his "ght.”

“Me too.” I let go of her arm, standing tall, then I cupped my hands to my mouth. “Go Foster Madden!”

“Eloise.” Lyla swatted my arm as the people clustered around us shot me glares. “Would you shut up?”

I laughed. “Oh, who cares if I’m loud? We’ll never see these fun haters again.”

Tomorrow, we’d !y home to Montana. We’d say goodbye to the moonbeams and hello to reality.

Lyla and I had come to Las Vegas to watch a UFC event.

Foster Madden, our sister Talia’s boyfriend and the reigning middleweight champion of the world, had defended his title and defeated his opponent in tonight’s "ght.

He’d surprised Talia by !ying us down—he hadn’t wanted her to sit in the arena alone. But this was just a quick trip. Lyla and I each had to get back to Quincy for work on Monday, and tomorrow’s early alarm clock would be brutal.

We’d decided to party tonight anyway. To have a few 2

JASPER VALE

drinks. To dance. To make the most of our cute out!ts. Lyla had on a navy, one-shoulder jumpsuit that brought out the blue of her eyes. I’d opted for a simple black tube top with my tightest jeans and tallest heels. It was rare that either of us dressed up these days—demanding jobs were hell on a social life.

Tonight had been a much-needed break. I only wished it weren’t coming to an end.

The fountain show !nale !nished too soon, and the crowd beside the Bellagio’s lake dispersed.

Chase, the kid assigned to hang with us tonight, was standing a few feet away, dutifully waiting for Lyla and me with his hands clasped in front of him like he was our own personal security guard. Technically, he was.

Before Foster had swept Talia away to celebrate his victory in their hotel suite, he’d insisted Chase accompany us tonight. He worked for Foster’s manager as an assistant and didn’t look a day older than eighteen. I suspected that the ID he’d used to get into the club tonight wasn’t exactly legal.

Considering he’d been relegated to babysitting duty, he was probably at the bottom of the UFC food chain. Poor guy.

He’d followed us around all night without complaint but he looked dead on his feet.

“Ready to go to the hotel?” he asked.

I leaned in close to whisper in Lyla’s ear. “Think he’ll cry if we say no?”

She covered her laugh with a hand. “Yep.” Chase yawned. That damn yawn was the reason we’d left the club before midnight.

“Do you think Jasper is still at the club?” Lyla asked.

I shrugged. “I dunno.”

Jasper Vale was Foster’s trainer and best friend. He’d 3

DEVNEY PERRY

told us about the after-party at the club and invited us along.

It had mostly been guys from the UFC world, acquaintances of Jasper’s and Foster’s from when they’d lived in Vegas. But it had been nice to know at least one face in the crowd besides Lyla’s.

“Do you want to go back and !nd out?” Say yes. More dancing. More drinks. Say yes say yes say yes.

Chase’s face fell. He gave me this pitiful, helpless plea.

Oh, damn you, Chase.

At the club, after his twentieth yawn, I’d told him he could leave, but he’d refused. And so even though we’d been having a blast, I’d told Lyla it was time to make our way back to the hotel. I hated it when other people weren’t having a good time.

Chase might be young but he was clearly smart. In just hours, he’d !gured out I was the bleeding heart of the Eden family. He was wielding that yawn to shoo us along for bedtime.

Boo. “Oh, never mind,” I muttered. “We should go.”

“Yeah, my feet are killing me in these shoes,” Lyla said.

“March on, Chase.” As we started for our hotel, the chill in the night air raised goose bumps on my forearms. It was cold tonight, even for the desert. In early March, after the sun set, the temperatures dropped.

“Brr. It’s co—” I gasped, patting my arms. “Oh, shit.

Where’s my jacket?”

We’d been on our way back to the hotel from the club when we’d passed the fountain, and I’d made our group detour so we could watch the show. I spun around, scanning the spot where we’d been standing, but my jacket wasn’t anywhere in sight.

“I must have forgotten it at 4 the club.” I groaned. Stupid

JASPER VALE

“I must have forgotten it at the club.” I groaned. Stupid Eloise. “I love that jacket.”

It was my favorite black leather coat. Not too thick. Not too thin. The sleeves were even long enough for my arms, which wasn’t easy for me to !nd.

“We can go back and get it.” It was Lyla who yawned this time.

She owned a co"ee shop at home in Quincy, and consid‐ ering that her normal wake-up time was well before dawn, I was proud of her for staying up so late. Normally she was in bed by nine. Lyla probably wouldn’t even need an alarm in the morning. Meanwhile, there was a very real chance she’d have to drag me out of bed.

“We’ll go to the suite so you can go to bed,” I said. “Then me and Chase will hike back to the club for my jacket.”

“Are you sure?”

I nodded, linked my arm with hers and signaled to Chase. “Lead on, Crouton.”

Chase’s lips pursed.

“I don’t think he likes my nickname,” I told Lyla.

She giggled as we fell in step, our heels clicking on the sidewalk as we trudged to our hotel, stopping outside the bank of elevators. Foster had gotten us our own suite for tonight with two separate bedrooms. Thank God. Lyla was a bed hog.

“Don’t go anywhere without Chase.” Lyla pointed a !nger at my nose.

I raised a hand in salute. “Ma’am, yes, ma’am.”

“Eww.” She scrunched up her nose. “Don’t ma’am me.”

“Madam?”

“Queen Lyla will su$ce.” She tried a curtsy but stum‐ bled, too tipsy to keep her balance.

5

DEVNEY PERRY

“Oh my God.” I jumped to snag her hand, helping her stand upright.

“Heels are the enemy.” She shot a frown at her feet, then stepped into the open elevator. “See you in a bit?”

“Be back in a !ash.” I waved as the doors slid closed, then gave Chase my evilest smile. “Let’s do shots.”

His jaw dropped.

“Kidding,” I singsonged, retracing our steps through the lobby and outside.

We’d just passed the fountain again, the water dark and calm, when a familiar face appeared on the sidewalk ahead.

“Oh, hey. There’s Jasper.” I pointed.

Chase raised a hand.

Jasper did the same. And in his hand was my jacket.

“Yay.” I clapped my hands together, stopping as Jasper joined us on the sidewalk. “You’re my hero. Thank you.”

“Welcome.” He held out the black leather, helping me slide it onto my arms.

I smiled up at him, having to crane my neck to keep his gaze. Wow, he was tall. Why hadn’t I realized how tall he was before? He was about the same height as my brothers.

“You’re tall. How tall?”

“Six two.” His deep voice had a rasp, like he didn’t use it enough so it wasn’t smooth.

“You have a nice voice.”

The corner of his mouth quirked. “Are you drunk?”

“Oh, yeah.” Even after all the walking, my buzz was solid. Would I feel great in six hours when I had to be at the airport? Nope.

Jasper’s eyes crinkled at the sides, like he thought I was funny. Not laugh-out-loud funny, obviously, but amusing funny.

6

JASPER VALE

Was I funny? I thought I was funny. “Chase, do you think I’m funny?”

He looked at me and blinked too many times.

I frowned. “My dad does that. The scowl-blink combo. I hate it. Maybe it’s a guy thing. I talk a lot when I’m drunk.”

“Huh?” Chase turned to Jasper. “I didn’t understand any of that.”

“You can take o!,” Jasper said, coming to Chase’s rescue.

“But Mr. Madden said I had to stay with them until they were back in their suite.”

“I’ll make sure she gets back.” Jasper jerked his chin.

“Go. Have fun.”

“I’m going to sleep.” Chase took a step backward. Then another. Then he turned, walking so fast it was nearly a jog.

“Bye!” I called. “Thank you for babysitting us!”

That’s when Chase actually started running.

“I don’t think he liked babysitting,” I told Jasper. “Can we watch the fountain show again?”

“Sure.” Jasper walked toward the concrete half wall that bordered the lake, "nding an open space.

I squeezed in beside him, resting my forearms on the #at surface. Then I propped a foot up between the rounded columns beneath. “I like water fountains.”

“Then you’re in the right place.” Jasper kept his eyes aimed forward, overlooking the quiet water as I stared up at his pro"le.

It was the nicest pro"le I’d ever seen. He had a perfect forehead. Not too round. Not too #at. His dark brown hair was longer on top and shorter at the sides, a few strands sticking up out of place. He had a strong chin, square at the bottom. Soft lips with a full pout. A classic nose except there was a bump on the bridge, like it had been broken before.

7

DEVNEY PERRY

“Does it hurt when you break your nose?”

“Yes.” He glanced down at me, his brown eyes catching the Vegas lights and giving them a sparkle.

Jasper had lived in Montana for months. There weren’t a lot of single, handsome men in my small hometown, so when Jasper had arrived in Quincy, he hadn’t gone unnoticed.

Or maybe he had.

Seriously, he was hot. Smoking hot. I should have been crushing on him for months.

Was this beer goggles? I’d never had them before. Except I hadn’t had any beer tonight. Just those vodka tonics and the shots Lyla and I had taken before we’d left the club, but they hadn’t hit me yet.

“You’re extremely hot.”

Okay, maybe the shots were kicking in after all.

Jasper arched an eyebrow the same dark shade as his hair.

“You’re kinda grumpy and brooding too. Also hot.”

“Do you always say what’s on your mind?”

“Only when I’m drunk, remember? I talk a lot.”

Jasper stared down at me, something !ashing in his gaze, but I couldn’t make it out. The fuzzy edges of my mind were beginning to get fuzzier.

“What else?” Jasper asked.

I studied his mouth as he spoke, the way he formed the words. The !ex in that sharp, chiseled jaw. “What else what?”

“What else is on your mind?”

“Oh.” I let my gaze trail down his chest, taking in his broad frame stretching the black T-shirt he wore with faded jeans. The shirt’s cotton molded like a second skin to his biceps and shoulders but was looser against his stomach. Did 8

JASPER VALE

he have a six-pack? I bet he had a six-pack. “I’d kill to see you without your shirt on.”

Jasper barked a laugh. It was hoarse too, like he didn’t laugh enough.

Sad. Should I give him a hug?

Too busy contemplating that question, I didn’t realize what he was doing until it was too late.

Jasper reached a hand behind his head, !sting his shirt.

Whoosh.

Shirt gone.

“Holy. Freaking. Abs.” My jaw dropped. “Six. De!nitely six.”

“Eight,” he corrected. “Count again.”

“Whoa.” I reached out to pet a muscle, just to make sure it was real. The muscles bunched beneath my !ngertips.

“That tickles.”

“You’re ticklish? Aww. That’s adorable.”

He frowned. “I think I liked it better when you called me grumpy and brooding.”

“Ow, ow!” A woman walking behind us did a catcall.

“Sweetie, if you’re not gonna drag that man to your hotel room, please send him to mine. Planet Hollywood. Room 1132.”

My cheeks "amed.

Jasper was Foster’s best friend. I couldn’t drag him to my hotel room, right? Right. That could get awkward. But I really wanted him to lose those jeans too. What did his legs look like? Were his thighs as bulky as they looked? Were they dusted with the same dark hair that trailed from his navel to the waistband of his jeans? How far did that trail go, anyway?

“Eloise.”

9

DEVNEY PERRY

My gaze whipped up to his face. “I like how you say my name.”

“You’re blushing.” Jasper’s voice dropped to barely a whisper. Something else crossed his gaze, maybe teasing, maybe !irting, but it happened too fast for my sluggish brain to catch.

“I’m drunk,” I blurted.

“So am I.” “No way.” My mouth parted. “You are?”

“Yep.” He leaned in closer, his eyes, slightly unfocused, drifting to my lips.

“Um, are you going to kiss me?”

Jasper hummed. “Thinking about it.”

For the "rst time tonight, I was speechless.

He leaned in.

I lifted my chin.

But then a gurgle "lled the air and beside us, the quiet pool of water erupted into those moonbeam streams.

The people around us surged forward, forcing us against the concrete barrier and breaking the moment.

Bummer. I sighed, shifting to watch the show.

Jasper tugged on his shirt, then leaned forward too, our shoulders brushing as music "lled the air.

The song was di#erent this time, an intense symphony with a fast tempo and a heavy drum beat. The timing of the music and lights and movement was synchronized !awlessly.

“It’s perfect,” I murmured. “How many tries do you think it took for them to get this perfect?”

“I don’t know.”

I leaned into his arm, my head hitting his shoulder. He didn’t shift or nudge me away, so I didn’t move. “I think perfect is overrated.”

10

JASPER VALE

“Agreed.”

“When I was a kid, I used to get so mad when stu! wasn’t perfect. Like if I was drawing a picture and messed up, I couldn’t just erase the mistake or live with it. I’d have to get a new piece of paper and start all over again.”

There’d be piles of crumpled paper around me and tears dripping down my face because I couldn’t get the picture just right.

“I don’t know what happened or why I did it,” I said.

“One day I was trying to color my dad a birthday card. He loves horses, and when I asked him what he wanted for a birthday present, he told me to draw him a horse. Have you ever tried to draw a horse?”

“No.” “Well, trust me. They’re hard. I couldn’t do it. I kept trying and trying. I just wanted to give him that horse and make him happy. And I had this special paper that was really thick. What do they call that paper?”

“Cardstock.”

“Yeah, cardstock. It’s hard to crumple so I ripped my mess-ups in half instead. Anyway, I was on my last sheet and screwed up the horse. But I didn’t have any more paper.

So I stole Talia’s box of paints from her bedroom and covered up my ugly horse. It was just random swirls of color but I covered the whole page, all the way to the edges.

There was paint everywhere by the time I was done. Talia got mad because I used her brand-new paints. Mom got mad because I made a mess and splattered some on the floor. But I loved that card. Dad hung it in his office, even though it wasn’t the horse he wanted. It’s still there too. And he doesn’t know that underneath all the pretty colors is a really ugly horse.”

11

DEVNEY PERRY

The fountain show began the !nale, the water jets spraying shoots as high into the air as they’d go.

“I like perfect,” I murmured. “I like imperfect too. I like wild and reckless moments that you never forget.”

Like tonight.

Once more, the show ended too soon, the water dark and slowly calming. But I wasn’t ready for calm. There was energy bubbling in my !ngertips. Humming beneath my skin. So I moved away from the barrier, spinning in a circle with my arms out at my sides. My footing faltered, but before I could trip, a strong hand clamped over my elbow, helping me keep my balance.

“Whoa.” I giggled. “No more spinning for me. Drunk and heels don’t mix.”

“Want to head back to your hotel?”

I pouted. “Not really.”

This was fun. This was the best night I’d had in years.

Something about Vegas, the crowds, the energy, was freeing.

There were no responsibilities tonight. No expectations.

“Are you really drunk?” I planted my hands on my hips, studying Jasper’s face. “You don’t seem drunk.”

He chuckled. “How should I seem if I’m drunk?”

“I don’t know.” I tossed out a hand. “I’ve never seen you drunk before. But most people . . . loosen up.”

“I’m loose.”

I rolled my eyes. “You’re all sti#. We’re supposed to be having fun.”

“I took my shirt o# for you.”

“This is true. And that was fun for me.” I tapped my chin. “Do something. Right now. Prove you’re drunk.”

Jasper’s eyes crinkled again. “Like what?”

12

JASPER VALE

“I don’t know. You’re the one who used to live here.

What’s something spontaneous to do in Vegas?”

A man walking by answered for Jasper. “Get married.”

I sco!ed. “We can’t get married.”

“Why not?” the guy asked, still walking, his arms raised.

“Yeah,” Jasper said. “Why not?”

13

CHAPTER TWO JASPER

T

he rustle of clothes being shoved into a suitcase filled the hotel bedroom. Then came the pad of bare feet as Eloise tiptoed to the bathroom. Seconds later, she tiptoed back. Then came a muffled plop, probably her toiletry case joining her clothes. That was followed by the click of a zipper, every notch joined so slowly it was painful to hear.

My wife was sneaking out.

My wife.

I fought the urge to curse into my pillow. My head was spinning. The headache throbbing behind my temples was less from last night’s alcohol and more from this morning’s situation.

But I didn’t dare move. I lay completely still, my breaths shallow and nearly silent.

Eloise thought I was still asleep. We’d keep it that way.

For now. Until I knew how to !x this.

What the hell had I been thinking?

I’d married Eloise. Married.

14 15

DEVNEY PERRY

JASPER VALE

“Unfair.”

That word had been bouncing through my brain for According to Dad,have ourspent brothers didn’t typically cause hours.

Hours I should sleeping. himExcept the same kind ofslept stressfor hemore claimed came with daughters.

I hadn’t than a few minutes at a Whatever that meant. time last night.

Every time I’d drift o!, Eloise would curl into yousnuggle drunk?”against Lyla asked. my “Are side or my back. I’d spent most of last I nodded.

“You?” night“Yep.” pushing her back to the opposite side of the bed. But meantfollowed. yes.” eachLyla timehiccupped.

I’d shifted “That away, she’d IAlooped myOf arms withI’dhers, snuggling closer a dreamy cuddler. course marry a woman whoas cuddled. smileI loathed settled on my face. cuddling.

My a little loose. My head was a little fuzzy.

Fuck.limbs Fuck.were Fuck.

My My hearthead was apounded little light, !oating the airOflikeallmist. with each through silent curse. the Drunk and happy,I’dlike the water show. stupid decisions made in life,fountain last night’s was by far the “Tonight was fun,” I murmured. dumbest.

“Super fun. I’m to glad came. Andagain, I’m glad Foster won Eloise padded thewebathroom closing herself his "ght.” inside before she "ipped on the light.

“Me too.” I letmy goeyes of her arm,a standing tall, then cupped As I cracked open, glow escaped fromI beneath my to myfaucet mouth.

“Go Foster the hands door. The turned on so IMadden!” shifted, burying my face “Eloise.” swatted my arm as the people clustered in the pillow, Lyla and let out a groan. around us shot memore glares. you shut up?”

Could this be of“Would a disaster?

IFor laughed.

“Oh, who I’mcontemplated loud? We’ll never see about an hour lastcares night,if I’d sneaking these fun haters again.” out while she’d been asleep to delay the inevitable, awkward Tomorrow, we’dunraveling !y home tothis Montana.

We’d say conversation about mess. Except thegoodbye damage to thedone. moonbeams and hello reality. woman I’d fucked last was This wasn’t sometorandom Lyla and I had come to Las Vegas to watch a UFC event. night.

Foster Madden, our sister Talia’s boyfriend and the reigning This was Eloise. middleweight champion of the world, had defended his title So I’d stayed.

I’d cuddled. and Hell. defeated his was opponent in skin tonight’s "ght.I was a dead man Foster going to me alive.

He’d surprised by !ying us down—he hadn’t for marrying Talia’s Talia sister. What if I just didn’t go back to wanted herIftoI sit theinarena But thisdecade, was just a quick Montana? hidinout Vegasalone. for the next would he trip.

Lyla and I each had to get back to Quincy for work on forgive me?

Monday, and tomorrow’s early alarm clock would be brutal.

Tempting.

So goddamn tempting.

We’d decided Just like Eloise.to party tonight anyway. To have a few 16 15 2

DEVNEY PERRY

JASPER VALE

drinks.

TheTo light dance. clicked To make o! inthe themost bathroom. of our Icute closed out!ts. my eyes, Lyla had on a navy, one-shoulder that brought outdoor the once more feigning sleep like jumpsuit a goddamn coward.

The blue ofopen her eyes.

I’dsilently opted for a simple topinwith swept almost except for ablack slighttube creak the my tightest andfeet tallest heels. was rare either of hinge.

Thenjeans her bare crossed theItroom oncethat more. us dressed theseAnother days—demanding jobs were hell on a Anotherup zipper. rustle. social Anlife. annulment. That was the answer.

TonightI’d hadget been a much-needed break.agree I onlytowished it Maybe lucky and Eloise would keeping weren’t to an end.us. No one really needed to know this shitcoming show between fountain show !nale toodeal soon,with andit the we’dThe gotten married, right?

We!nished could just on crowd the sly.beside the Bellagio’s lake dispersed.

Chase, the how kid she assigned to hang without. us tonight, was Sort of like was trying to sneak standing few feettoaway, dutifully and me If shea wanted disappear this waiting morning,forI Lyla was going to withher. hisThe hands clasped inconversation front of himcould like he wasuntil our Iown let annulment wait got personal security guard. Technically, he was. back to Montana.

Before Foster had swept away tohummed celebrate his The sound of tra"c, of the Talia city stirring, in the victory in their hotel suite, accompanyToo us background.

Muted light he’d creptinsisted throughChase the windows. tonight.

He worked Foster’s as an assistant busy stripping each for other naked,manager we’d forgotten to close and the didn’t look day older than into eighteen.

I suspected that the ID blinds whena we’d stumbled the room last night. he’dWe’d used fucked. to get into the club wasn’t exactly Hard.

Bare.tonight My cock stirred to lifelegal. beneath he’dbeen beena relegated babysitting duty, he the Considering sheets. It had long, longto time since I’d gone was probably at the but bottom of Eloise the UFC Poor without a condom, when hadfood toldchain. me she wasguy. on He’d control followedand us itaround all night without butmy he birth had been a while, well .complaint . . I’d broken looked dead on protection. his feet. It had been a while for me too. own rule about “Readyhad to go to the asked.

Eloise met my hotel?” passionhe with her own. There’d been I leaned to We’d whisper in Lyla’s ear.other, “Think he’lland cry nothing soft in or close gentle. clawed at each rough if we say no?” wild.

It was the best sex I’d had in, well . . . a long damn time.

She covered laughjust with a hand.her?

“Yep.” Why couldn’ther I have screwed Why had I taken Chase yawned.chapel?

That damn yawn was the reason we’d her to that fucking left the before midnight.

Tooclub far. I’d pushed much too far.

“Do you think want Jaspertois still the club?”

Lylashe? asked.

She wouldn’t stay atmarried, would Eloise dunno.” had Itoshrugged. know that“Ithis wasn’t serious. That this was a drunken Jasper Vale was Foster’s trainer and best friend. He’d mistake.

16 3 17

DEVNEY PERRY

JASPER VALE

“Unfair.”

She moved again, and even with my eyes closed, I felt Dad, brothers didn’tontypically her According come close.to Her feet,our barely a whisper the hotel cause room him the stopped same kind of stress claimed with daughters. carpet, beside thehebed.

The came air shifted as Eloise Whatever that meant. crouched down.

“Are you my drunk?”

I opened eyes. Lyla asked.

“Yep.” I nodded.

And saw blue. “You?” Lyla hiccupped.blue.

“That meant yes.”

Heart-stopping Exquisite blue.

IHer looped with hers, snuggling closer as aofdreamy gazemy wasarms the color of sapphires.

The cobalt dawn. smile settled face.!ame.

The azure of on themy hottest My limbs were a little My head a little fuzzy.

I’d gotten lost in that loose. blue last night.was First beside the My heartfountain. was a little light, !oating the air like mist.

Bellagio Then in this very through bed.

Drunk happy, like the water show.

Weand stared at each other, thefountain weight of what we’d done “Tonight wasus fun,” settling between likeIamurmured. ton of bricks.

“Super I’m gladface we came.

And I’mwith glad regret.

Foster won Eloise’s fun. beautiful was etched She his "ght.” opened her mouth, about to say something, but a knock came “Me too.”

I let go ofnearly her arm, standing at the door.

She jerked, falling to hertall, ass.then I cupped my hands to my mouth.

“Go Foster I shot out a hand, grabbing hers Madden!” to keep her upright.

“Eloise.”

Lylalocked swatted the "ngers people tightened, clustered Eloise’s gaze onmy my arm grip.asHer around shot me glares.

“Would up?” for just us a moment, then she shookyou meshut loose.

She held up a I laughed.

“Oh, who "nger and pressed it to hercares lips. if I’m loud? We’ll never see theseShh. fun haters again.”

Tomorrow, we’d to !ykeep home So she did want metoaMontana. secret. We’d say goodbye to the moonbeams helloWasn’t to reality.

Why did thatand burn? that what I wanted too Lyla and —needed too?I had come to Las Vegas to watch a UFC event.

Foster Madden, our sister andfrom the reigning “Are you about ready Talia’s to go?”boyfriend Lyla called beyond middleweight the closed door.champion of the world, had defended his title and “Be defeated opponent tonight’s "ght. right his there,” Eloiseinanswered, but she didn’t make a He’d surprised Talia by crouched !ying usbeside down—he move for the door. She stayed me for hadn’t a long wanted herlike to sit thetrying arena to alone. wastojust heartbeat, sheinwas "gureBut outthis what say.a quick trip.That Lyla made and Itwo eachofhad us. to get back to Quincy for work on Monday, and tomorrow’s early alarm “We’re going to be late,” Lyla said.clock would be brutal.

We’d to party tonight Eloise’sdecided shoulders fell. “One sec.”anyway. To have a few 18 17 2

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drinks.

Then Toshe dance. gaveTo memake a sadthe smile mostbefore of ourshe cute mouthed, out!ts. Lyla “I’m had on a navy, one-shoulder jumpsuit that brought out the sorry.” blueLike of her I’d opted thiseyes. was her fault. for a simple black tube top with my tightest jeansshe andbetallest was rare that either of Why should sorry?heels.

It hadIt been my idea.

I’d been us dressed up us these days—demanding were the helldriver on a the one to hail a cab.

I’d been the onejobs to direct social to the life. chapel. I’d been the one to rush inside, just before the Tonight had and beenask a much-needed midnight cuto!, for a marriagebreak. license.I only wished it weren’t Me.coming to an end.

The fountain show !nale !nished too soon, This whole fucking catastrophe rested "rmlyand on the my crowd beside the Bellagio’s lake dispersed. shoulders.

Chase, the Eloise kid assigned hang tonight, was All because had toldtome thatwith story us about her horse standing a few feet away, dutifully waiting for Lyla and me drawing. withDamn his hands clasped frontthe of one him who like should he was be ourapolo‐ own it to hell.

She in wasn’t personalBut security Technically, was. gizing. beforeguard.

I could say a word,heshe was gone, rushing Before Foster had swept Talia away to celebrate his to the corner. victory their hotel suite,ofhe’d insisted Chase us Sheinpulled on a pair tennis shoes, thenaccompany swept up the tonight. He workedshe’d for Foster’s as an carry-on suitcase packed,manager extending theassistant handle.and Its didn’t click look awas daylike older than eighteen.

I suspected that the ID sharp a jab to the rib cage. he’dIused to getlying into the wasn’t exactly legal. the shifted, $atclub on tonight my back, quickly tugging Considering beentorelegated babysitting duty, he covers to my chin,he’d hoping hide fromtoLyla.

Then I stared at was ceiling, probablywatching at the bottom of the UFC chain. eased Poor guy. the the shadows shiftfood as Eloise the He’d open followed us around all night door just enough to slip out. without complaint but he looked dead onEloise’s his feet.attempt at chipper came out forced.

“Ready.” to go the hotel?” he asked.

Too “Ready bright and tootoloud.

I leanedare in you closeyelling?” to whisper in Lyla’s ear. “Think he’ll cry “Why Lyla grumbled.

“I’m hungover. if weyou?” say no?”

Are She covered her laugh “Um, yeah. Let’s go.” with a hand. “Yep.” Chase yawned.

Thatluggage damn faded yawn as was thewere reason we’d The wheels of their they dragged left the club through the before suite’s midnight. common room. Then the exterior door “Do you think Jasperme is still at the club?” Lyla asked. slammed closed, leaving alone.

I shrugged. dunno.”

Foster had “I gotten this suite for Eloise and Lyla. He’d Jasper best friend. made sure Vale that was TaliaFoster’s hadn’t trainer had to and sit alone duringHe’d last 18 3 19

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night’s “Unfair.” !ght. He’d told me all about this surprise for Talia. to explained Dad, our the brothers didn’t cause NotAccording once as he’d logistics had Itypically thought I’d be him the same stress he claimed came with daughters. sleeping in thekind roomofhe’d reserved for them.

Whatever meant.I rolled to my stomach, burying my nose “Son ofthat a bitch.”

“Are you drunk?” Lyla asked. in the sheets.

“Yep.” Eloise’sI nodded. perfume“You?” clung to the cotton. Vanilla with an Lyladepth. hiccupped. meant yes.” like a man’s cologne. earthy Floral “That but spicy, almost I looped arms with hers, snuggling closer as a dreamy Except it wasmy entirely female.

Entirely Eloise. smileThe settled my face. onlyongood thing about her sleeping so close had limbs were a little My head was body a littlepressed fuzzy. beenMy that smell.

That, andloose. my bride’s naked My heart a little light, !oating through the air like mist. against mywas own.

Drunk andFuck. happy, like the water fountain show.

Fuck.

Fuck.

“Tonight fun,” murmured.

I pushed was up on myIelbows, twisting to a seat. The sheet I’m glad came.

And I’m Foster wonI was “Super tangledfun. around my we legs, covering me glad to the waist. his "ght.”both hands through my hair, rubbing my eyes and dragged I let go ofThen her arm, standing tall,window, then I cupped the “Me ache too.” in my skull.

I looked to the to the my hands to myover mouth.

“Go Foster Madden!” dawn creeping the desert.

“Eloise.”

Lyla swatted my arm as theHow people clustered How could I have let this happen? could I have around you shut up?” taken itus soshot far? me Of glares. all the “Would spontaneous things to do in Vegas, laughed. “Oh, who cares if I’m loud? We’ll never see whyImarriage? theseWhat fun haters now? again.”

Tomorrow, we’d home Eloise was on her!y way backtotoMontana.

Montana.We’d say goodbye to the hello reality.

I’dmoonbeams planned toand stay in toVegas for a while. Now that Lyla!ght and Iwas hadover, comehe’d to Las to watch a UFC event.

Foster’s takeVegas a break from training.

He’d Foster Madden, boyfriend and the reigning spend time with our Taliasister and Talia’s his daughter, Kadence.

There was middleweight champion the world, had defended his title nothing waiting for me inofMontana except a rented A-frame and his opponent in tonight’s "ght. cabindefeated and snow.

He’d by !ying hadn’t Since surprised snow andTalia I didn’t exactlyusgetdown—he along well, I’d wanted to sit ininthe arena alone. was just change. a quick thought her a month Nevada mightBut be this a welcome trip. and Igive eachFoster had tosome get back for work on ThatLyla it would timetotoQuincy !gure out his next Monday, move. and tomorrow’s early alarm clock would be brutal.

We’d decided to retirement, party tonight a few He’d mentioned andanyway. as muchToashave I’d hate to 20 19 2

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lose drinks. myTo time dance. withTo him, make I wouldn’t the mostblame of ourhim cuteforout!ts. hanging Lyla it had He’d on a navy, one-shoulder thatthe brought the up. had an incredible jumpsuit career with UFC.out I was blue of her eyes.

I’d opted a simple honored to be a small part offor that journey.black tube top with my tightest jeans tallest heels.!ghting, It was rare either of But if he did and decide to stop thenthat I had some us dressedtoup theseReturn days—demanding jobs another were hell on a decisions make. to Vegas? Train !ghter? social life.

Try somewhere new? It was a lot easier to think when winter Tonight been amy much-needed wasn’t tryinghad to freeze balls o". break. I only wished it weren’t coming to an end.

Except I couldn’t exactly stay in Vegas for too long now, The fountain !nished too soon, and the could I? Eloise and show I had a!nale problem to solve. crowd beside theeven Bellagio’s lakephone dispersed.

And I didn’t have her number.

Chase, My the !st kid hammered assigned tointo hang us tonight, was “Shit.” thewith mattress at my side. standing a few feetbeen away, dutifully waiting for Lyla and me How could I have so stupid? withWith his hands clasped in front him like wasmy ourlegs. ownI a quick yank, the sheetofripped freehe from personal security guard.

Technically, was. stood from the bed, prowling to thehebathroom.

I eyed the Before Foster hadonswept Talia but away to celebrate his shower, about to turn the spray, changed directions, victory in to their suite,tohe’d insisted Chase accompany us returning thehotel bedroom collect my clothes strewn across tonight. the #oor.He worked for Foster’s manager as an assistant and didn’t look a scent, day older eighteen.

I suspected that be the my ID Eloise’s stillthan clinging to my skin, would he’d used to get intoAthe club tonight punishment today. reminder of thewasn’t epic exactly mistakelegal.

I’d made Considering he’d been relegated to babysitting duty, he last night. was Iprobably at the the jeans, UFC food tugged on mybottom boxersofand thenchain. pulledPoor on guy. last He’d followed around all taken night without but all he night’s T-shirt. us The shirt I’d o" besidecomplaint the fountain looked dead onhad his feet. because Eloise wanted to see me without it on.

“Ready to go the shirt hotel?” he asked.Hell, if she had asked Who took o"totheir in public?

I leaned in of close whisper in Lyla’s he’ll cry me to strip out my to jeans, I would have ear. done“Think it. if weThere say no?” was a reason I didn’t drink.

She covered laugh with Drunk, I washer a fucking idiot.a hand. “Yep.” Chase yawned. damnover yawn we’d “Ugh.” I rubbed That my hands mywas face,the likereason that could left the club before midnight. turn back time.

Erase this humiliation.

“Do youwas think is stillI’d at the club?”

Lyla asked.Years.

When theJasper last time been embarrassed? shrugged.

“I felt dunno.”

TheI last time I’d like this it had also been because of a Jasper Vale was Foster’s trainer and best friend. He’d woman.

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“Unfair.”

But Eloise wasn’t to blame for the icky feeling creeping According toNo, Dad, didn’t typically cause beneath my skin. thatour wasbrothers all on me. himIthe sametokind cameroom. with daughters. needed get of thestress fuck he outclaimed of this hotel Whatever thattomeant.

I needed get the hell o! the strip.

“Are you to drunk?”

Lyla asked.

I needed never drink tequila again.

“Yep.” I nodded.

Eloise and I had “You?” both been drunk. Not blackout drunk. hiccupped. meant NotLyla slurring, sloppy“That drunk.

No, yes.” we’d been the dangerous looped mythe arms with hers,you snuggling as a dreamy kindI of drunk, kind when thoughtcloser you were still in smile settled on inhibitions my face. were low and courage was high. control.

When Myyou limbs werefoolish a littleenough loose. My head was a littlereckless fuzzy.

When were to believe a wild, My waschallenge a little light, !oating through the air like mist. ideaheart was the of a lifetime.

Drunk and happy, like the water fountain show.

“Fucking tequila.”

“Tonight fun,” With mywas shoes on,I murmured.

I left the room, digging my wallet fun. pocket.

I’m gladThen we came. glad Foster from“Super my jeans I tookAnd theI’m elevator down won two his "ght.” "oors, rushing to my own hotel room. The bed was made, its “Me too.”crisp I let go her arm, standing then I cupped white sheets andof undisturbed from tall, yesterday’s house‐ my hands to my mouth. “Go Foster Madden!” keeping.

“Eloise.” swatted my arm the people clustered I owned Lyla a house an hour fromas here, but Foster had around me glares. wanted us usshot all close to the“Would strip foryou theshut $ght,up?” so he’d reserved laughed.

“Oh,I who cares if insisted I’m loud? never me aI room.

Maybe should have onWe’ll sleeping in see my these fun haters own damn bed. again.”

Then I wouldn’t have gone to the club last Tomorrow, home to Montana. goodbye night.

I wouldn’twe’d have!ybeen anywhere near We’d Eloisesay Eden. to the moonbeams andon hello to reality.

My backpack was a chair in the corner, so I hurried to andshoving I had come to Las Vegas to watchinside. a UFCThen event.I packLyla it up, my clothes and toiletries Foster our sisterand Talia’s boyfriend and the reigning slung itMadden, over a shoulder left the hotel, walking through middleweight the lobby to thechampion main exit.of the world, had defended his title and There defeated his cabs opponent in tonight’s "ght.them, needing to were waiting, but I passed Talia !ying hadn’t walkHe’d for a surprised while before goingbyhome.

To us burndown—he o! some energy. wanted To think.her to sit in the arena alone. But this was just a quick trip.The Lylamorning and I each get back Quincy workinona air had was to fresh.

Crisptoand cool. for I drew Monday, andsmelling tomorrow’s clock would be brutal.to long breath, theearly wateralarm they’d used this morning to partyThe tonight anyway.

To have fewa hoseWe’d downdecided the entrance. concrete was still dampa in 22 21 2

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few drinks. places To dance. untouched To make by the thesun. most Clean, of ourfor cute now. out!ts.

Someone Lyla had onprobably a navy, one-shoulder jumpsuit that brought out the would puke on it later. blueNothing of her eyes.

I’d opted for clean. a simple black tube top with ever really stayed my tightest jeans and tallest heels. It was rare that either of Especially in Vegas. us dressed upalways these been days—demanding wereNo hellmatter on a That had part of Vegas’sjobs appeal. socialmany life. sparkling, neon bulbs they added to the strip, how had been I only wished it thereTonight was always somea much-needed dirt. Grit, likebreak. the sand that waited weren’t the coming an end. beyond city’stoborders.

The fountain show their !nalefake. !nished andtothe People here !aunted Theretoo wassoon, freedom be crowd and beside theJudgment Bellagio’s was lakeloosened, dispersed.usually by alcohol. gaudy loud.

Chase, the was kid the assigned to hang withof us tonight, was Last night ultimate example Vegas’s poison. standinga pure, a few beautiful feet away,woman, dutifully for Lyla and me Eloise, hadwaiting been corrupted

by Sin with his handsbyclasped in front of himhad likecome he was own City.

Tainted a man whose demons out our to play. personal he was.

Withsecurity my chinguard. down,Technically, I kept my gaze locked on the side‐ Foster toward had swept Talia Boulevard. away to celebrate his walkBefore as I headed Las Vegas Left would victory hotel suite, he’d insisted Chase accompany us take mein totheir the Bellagio fountain. tonight.

He worked I turned right. for Foster’s manager as an assistant and didn’t look a day older than face eighteen.

I suspected the ID Not a chance I could that fountain thisthat morning. he’d used to get into the club tonight wasn’t exactly legal. my With no destination in mind other than away, I walked, Considering he’d been relegated to babysitting duty, he hands tucked in my pockets. was Block probably the bottom of the food chain. guy. afteratblock, I waited for UFC the pressure in myPoor chest to He’d followed us around all night complaint but he lighten.

Exercise had always beenwithout my outlet.

My refuge. looked dead on his feet.

Except the tension in my shoulders, the pit in my stomach, “Ready to gowith to the hotel?” seemed to grow every step.he asked.

I leanedwhen in close to whisper That’s I looked up. in Lyla’s ear. “Think he’ll cry if weAnd say realized no?” this path I was walking was familiar.

She covered her laugh “For fuck’s sake, Vale.”with a hand. “Yep.” yawned.

That damn was the reason we’d IChase should have taken a left yawn and faced that fountain. left the club my before Apparently feetmidnight. had developed a mind of their own. And you think is still the club?”

Lyla asked. this “Do morning, theyJasper wanted to atreturn to the scene of last I shrugged. night’s crime. “I dunno.”

Jaspersmall, Valesquare was Foster’s andof best The buildingtrainer was out placefriend. againstHe’d the 22 3 23

DEVNEY PERRY

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backdrop “Unfair.” of sprawling casinos and massive towers. It was too According to Dad, our brothers didn’t charming.

Too real.

It belonged anywhere else.typically cause himBut the same kindanother of stresspart he claimed came with daughters. that was of Vegas’s appeal.

This city Whatever meant.and sizes. A couple could get married welcomed that all shapes “Are you drunk?”

by Elvis beneath the Lyla glowasked. of neon lights at a chapel that “Yep.” I nodded. “You?”weekday specials. Or they could o!ered ninety-nine-dollar Lyla hiccupped. “That meant yes.” come here.

IThe looped my Chapel. arms with hers, snuggling closer as a dreamy Clover smileThe settled on my face. walls were dotted with intricate, white stucco My limbs were a little loose.blues My head was a little fuzzy. stained glass windows.

Their and greens caught the My heartlight. was aAlittle light, !oating like mist. morning steeple with a brassthrough bell satthe atopairthe peaked Drunk and with happy, like the waterclimbed fountain roof. Vines dainty "owers theshow. structure.

“Tonight fun,”doors I murmured.

The pale was wooden were marked with a small fourI’m above glad wethe came.

And I’mAtglad leaf “Super clover fun. tacked threshold. myFoster rentalwon in his "ght.” there was a horseshoe in that spot instead.

Montana, “Me too.” let go of in herluck, arm,maybe standing tall, then I cupped Maybe if IIbelieved if I’d ever been lucky, my hands to my mouth. “Go Foster Madden!”

I would have appreciated those symbols.

“Eloise.”

Lyla my arm as the people The chapel wasswatted closed now.

Clover herself was clustered probably around shot meinglares.

“Would you last shutnight. up?” The Clover at home,usrolling the cash I’d paid I laughed. who cares if I’m specials, loud? We’ll never not see Chapel didn’t “Oh, do ninety-nine-dollar certainly these fun haterswalk-ins again.” only minutes before closing. for last-minute Tomorrow, home to Montana. We’d say goodbye But you paidwe’d for !y their ambience. to the moonbeams and hello toblooms reality.that #lled the open ceil‐ You paid for the wisteria andcharged I had come to Las Vegas to watch a UFC to event. ing. Lyla They a premium for guests wanting get Foster Talia’s boyfriend the reigning marriedMadden, beneathour a sister pergola teeming with and glittering twigs, middleweight champion of the world, "owers. had defended his aisle title fairy lights, greenery and magnolia For the and his opponent tonight’s "ght.you feel like you lineddefeated with short, wooden in pews to make He’dgetting surprised Taliain by hadn’t weren’t married Las!ying Vegasusbutdown—he in some quaint wanted to sitsurrounded in the arenabyalone.

Butguests. this was just a quick country her church, beloved trip.Of Lyla each had to get backwhy to Quincy workhere on alland the Iplaces in the world, would Ifor come Monday, again? and tomorrow’s early alarm clock would be brutal.

We’d decided The ugly horse.to party tonight anyway. To have a few 24 23 2

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drinks.

I’d brought To dance.

Eloise To make here because the mostofofthe ourstory cuteshe’d out!ts. toldLyla me had onthat a navy, one-shoulder about ugly horse drawing.jumpsuit that brought out the blueShe’d of hercreated eyes. I’d opted for picture a simplewith black tube such a vivid that tale.top Ofwith her myantightest jeans painting and tallest heels.

It was that either of as angry child, over a sketch so rare she could give her us dressed up he these days—demanding jobs were hella on dad the card wanted.

I could picture her as kid,a social life. to please her father and surrounded by her desperate Tonightattempts had beenata much-needed break.

I onlyher wished it shredded a birthday card.

Then again, weren’t and coming to an end. smiling happy, her skin marred with every shade of paint The fountain !nale !nished too soon, and the as she !ipped o" theshow idea of perfection. crowd beside lakeher dispersed.

That was the whyBellagio’s I’d brought here last night.

Chase, the the kid only assigned to hang withto us tonight, was She wasn’t one who wanted take something standing a few feet away,something dutifully waiting andit me ugly, something lacking, painful,for andLyla cover up his hands clasped in front of him like he was our own with something beautiful. personal security guard. hewalking was. a chihuahua “Pretty chapel, isn’t Technically, it?” A woman had swept awayrainbow to celebrate his on aBefore sparklyFoster pink leash passedTalia by. Her iridescent victory in theirthe hotel suite, he’d insisted Chase accompany us visor matched dog’s collar. tonight.

He worked manager as Ianfocused assistant I nodded, waitingforforFoster’s her to leave.

Then onand the didn’t look a day older than eighteen. I suspected that the ID building again. he’dAn used to get into the club tonight wasn’t exactly legal. ugly horse.

Considering he’d been Covered in vibrant paint.relegated to babysitting duty, he was Yeah, probably the bottom the UFC chain.soPoor thisatwas a prettyofchapel.

I’dfood thought the guy. last He’d I’d followed us around all night without complaint but he time been here. looked hisI’d feet.

Thedead #rston time gotten married in Las Vegas.

“Ready to go to the hotel?” he asked.

I leaned in close to whisper in Lyla’s ear. “Think he’ll cry if we say no?”

She covered her laugh with a hand. “Yep.” Chase yawned. That damn yawn was the reason we’d left the club before midnight.

“Do you think Jasper is still at the club?” Lyla asked.

I shrugged. “I dunno.”

Jasper Vale was Foster’s trainer and best friend. He’d 24 3

CHAPTER THREE ELOISE

M

“

iss?”

I jerked at the lady’s voice. Lost in my head, drawing invisible circles on the hotel’s mahogany reception counter, I hadn’t heard her approach.

Guests had been sneaking up on me for the last three days, ever since I’d come home from Vegas.

“Sorry.” I gave her a bright smile. “Welcome to The Eloise Inn. Checking in?”

“Yes.” She nodded, then gave me her name to pull up in our reservation system.

Five minutes later, I slid over two key cards tucked into a paper envelope with her room number written on its face.

“The elevator is there.” I pointed toward the foyer.

“You’re in room 302. Take a right when you get o! the elevator and your room is at the end of the hallway. Can I have anything sent up for you this afternoon?”

“No, thank you.” She smiled, glancing around the lobby.

“This is my "rst visit to Quincy. Your hotel is delightful.”

“Thank you.” I beamed at the compliment. “I think it’s 25 27