Chapter 19

NINETEEN

“You’ll call me?” Di asked.

She was standing next to her luggage piled up near the door. Brad and Tony stood close, both holding black duffels with her winnings.

“I promise, and you have my number; call me anytime.”

Diana hugged me again. This one tighter than the first.

“Be happy, Di,” I whispered.

“You, too, Atlee, and thanks again…for everything. You were right, Luci’s thrilled we’re calling it quits.”

I knew she would be. Luci was the best kind of friend to have. All she wanted was Diana happy.

I gave her a squeeze and stepped back. There was a knock on the front door. Brad handed Tony his duffel and answered.

Cliff, the bellman, stepped in, wheeling a cart behind him.

“Is this everything, Miss Di?” he asked.

“Yes, Cliff. Thanks.”

There was another round of see-you-laters while Cliff loaded the cart. Luci had appeared from doing her final walkthrough of the villa.

She, too, pulled me for a tight embrace.

“Thank you for talking to her,” she quietly told me. “And for always taking care of her.”

“What? I didn’t hook you up, too?” I teased.

Luci’s face became serious.

“You know I’m not talking about the perks. She gets to be Di around you and that’s worth more than any massage, facial, show, or bottle service. Means the world, Atlee.”

Damn.

I was going to miss Luci and Diana.

“You know,” she continued. “Perhaps it’s time for you to follow your advice and get out of this place before it sucks you dry.”

That hit close to the bone.

Visions of beautiful Coeur d’Alene filled my mind.

The lake. The trees. The fresh air. My grandmother. Good, kind people.

“Maybe one day.”

“Make that sooner rather than later. You’re too good for this place.”

Unlike when my father made similar remarks, Luci’s comment made me feel good.

“Thanks, Luce.”

I escorted Diana and her team down to the private valet in front of the mansion, texting Jack my movement.

The poor guy had to be sick of me messaging him every five minutes.

My phone vibrated as soon as Diana’s town car cleared the gates.

Luci’s earlier remarks hit hard when I saw Martin’s name on my screen.

I was certainly too good of a person to be dealing with scum.

But then there were the Dianas. The good people who were in Vegas to work or to play and treated me and the rest of the staff with kindness.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Jackson.” I infused as much enthusiasm as I could. “What can I do for you?”

“I need to see you.”

Shit.

“Of course. I’ll be right there.”

The man didn’t bother with pleasantries before he hung up on me.

Someone must’ve pissed on his billions of dollars of filthy money this morning.

I sent Jack another text.

On my way up to Martin’s.

Jesus woman.

I smiled at my phone while I tapped on the screen.

This girl earns her coin.

Yeah a penny a step.

I pressed the call button for the elevator. Stepped into the lift and thought about Jack’s comeback. That was an interesting take on how I earned my salary.

Gasp. Are you calling me cheap?

My bad. Ten cents a step.

That was more like it.

I’m here. Text you when I’m done.

Copy.

The front door to the villa was ajar. I heard voices coming from inside. I wasn’t sure if I was happy I wouldn’t be alone with Martin or worried about what I was walking into.

I still knocked lightly on the door and called out my arrival.

“Mr. Jackson?”

“In the kitchen!” Martin shouted.

I carefully took in my surroundings.

Gavin and Louis were in the living room sitting opposite one another in two high-back chairs. Neither of them looked at me as I made my way through the space. Eden was at the table with her laptop open, papers spread out around her like she was a respectable businesswoman. George was lounging by the pool, beer in hand, eyes on the three women in the pool.

Looked like they were starting early today.

Great.

“There you are,” Martin sniped as if I’d taken an hour to get to him and not the two minutes it had actually taken.

“Is there a problem?”

I glanced between Martin and a man I hadn’t seen before. I gave the newcomer a tight smile. He kept his face bland.

Jerk.

“Do you have connections outside of the casino?”

Alarm bells started chiming.

“What kind of connections?”

Martin frowned.

“Real estate off the strip but not too far.”

I didn’t but I was sure Wilson did.

“Yes. I know agents.”

“I need a rental.”

The hair on the back of my neck tingled. I wasn’t sure how to play this.

Casino host.

That was all I was.

“Are you not satisfied with—”

“Everything here is fine. I have more associates coming into town. The place I had set up for them fell through.”

“I can certainly make the arrangements for you.” My phone vibrated in my hand. I fought the urge to check it and carried on. “When would you need the property?”

“Today. Tomorrow at the latest. Seven days.”

“Would you require staff?”

“Just valet.”

There was a knock on the door.

Eden rose from the table and announced, “I’ll get it. I’m expecting a client.”

A client?

“Take him to the library,” Martin barked.

Eden gave him a dirty look on the way to the front door.

Something was wrong.

Very wrong, and I wanted out of the villa.

“Mr. Barker,” Eden purred.

Gross.

I glanced to the side.

My breath caught.

Wilson opened his mouth to say something but Louis’s very angry, “What the fuck?” tore through the room before Wilson could speak.

“Louis,” Gavin admonished. “Take it outside.”

Louis abruptly stood, still staring at his phone and stalked to the terrace doors.

“Is there a problem?” Wilson asked.

“Nothing for you to worry about. Let’s go to the library.”

Wilson’s narrowed eyes swung around the room, pausing on me momentarily before he nodded and followed Eden.

Time to get the hell out of dodge.

“I’ll have a property for you within a few hours,” I told Martin.

The other man who hadn’t been introduced finally spoke.

“You can make the arrangements here.”

Shit.

Think.

Shit.

“If that’s what you prefer, Mr....?”

I let that hang, hoping he’d introduce himself.

“Mister works just fine, Miss Levine.”

Ugh.

What a prick.

“As I was saying, sir, I can make my calls from here but I’ll need to view the properties personally to ensure the one I secure is up to Mr. Jackson’s standards.”

“I’ll go with you,” he replied.

Holy hell.

“Let Atlee do her job,” Martin cut in. “We have bigger issues to deal with.”

Mister didn’t look happy but he didn’t argue.

That was my cue to leave.

“I’ll see myself out and let you attend to business.”

With that, I rushed to the door, leaving Wilson with Eden in the library and a ranting Louis on the terrace.

My hands shook when I lifted my phone after the elevator doors safely closed behind me and I read Jack’s text.

Wilson’s on his way up.

Old news.

Meet me on the floor by the cashier.

On my way.

I took in a few calming breaths that did nothing to slow my pounding heart. The elevator doors opened. Mr. and Mrs. Osborn appeared, looking nicely tanned.

“Atlee.” Mrs. Osborn smiled brightly.

“Mrs. Osborn, enjoying the beautiful day?”

“Yes. Thank you for the cabana. You always pick the perfect ones.”

What she meant was, she’d been married to a man who she adored for thirty years but she still appreciated a tall, good-looking muscular man and I always put them in Pierre’s section. She also appreciated his French accent.

“I’m happy to hear you enjoyed my selection. Mr. Osborn, are you ready for the show tonight?”

“Indeed I am.”

Like his wife, Mr. Osborn didn’t mind a little eye candy and always requested front row seats to the Boulevard’s world class burlesque show.

“I sure hope that Candy Apple is performing tonight. She’s Charlie’s favorite.” Mrs. Osborn winked.

“Would I book seats for a night she wasn’t performing?” I asked, still holding the elevator door open for the pair to enter.

My phone vibrated.

Likely Jack wanting to know where I was.

“Of course you wouldn’t. You’re the best host we’ve ever had.”

“That’s great to hear.” I dipped my chin hoping they’d catch my drift but just in case they missed it I added, “Enjoy the rest of your day. Please let me know if you need anything.”

They stepped into the elevator. I moved out of the way to allow the doors to slide shut and practically ran through the private, staff-only halls of the casino, popping out of the back a few feet from the cashier’s cage.

“What’s wrong?” Jack asked as soon as I got close.

“I think I fucked up.”

“Not here.” He flicked his eyes up to the ceiling, indicating both the unobtrusive camera and that we should talk in the suite.

* * *

As soon asJack closed the door to the suite at the Sky Jewel, I launched in.

“Something’s wrong. Martin was edgy and he had a man with him who wouldn’t tell me his name.”

“What does that mean?”

“Martin didn’t introduce us so I did that thing where you try to prompt the other person to tell you their name.”

Jack stared at me, clearly not understanding.

“I need to start at the beginning—”

“Take a breath and calm down, Atlee. Everything’s fine.”

I did as instructed but my heart still felt like it was punching me in the ribs.

God, I sucked at this.

“You should sit—” If Jack was going to say more the sound of the door opening silenced him.

Wilson came into view. His gaze sliced to me, angry eyes roamed my face. My concerned ones roamed his body, searching for signs he’d been hurt. Then I was on the move. I needed to touch him. I needed his strong arms around me. I needed him to tell me everything was going to be okay.

The second I got close he hooked me around the waist and pulled me to his chest.

Yes.

This was what I needed to calm down.

“You okay, princess?”

“I am now.” I blew out a breath and asked, “Are you?”

“Yeah, Atlee, everything’s fine.”

I nodded against his chest.

“She tell you what happened?” Obviously, Wilson was talking to Jack.

“Not yet.”

Wilson gave me a tight squeeze and kissed the top of my head before he unwrapped his arms and tagged my hand.

“Let’s sit down and you explain what the hell was going on when I showed up.”

That was a good idea. I only had a few hours to produce a house for Martin’s auction.

Jack set three bottles of water on the coffee table before he grabbed a chair opposite me and Wilson sat beside me on the sofa.

“Start at the beginning,” Jack prompted.

With Wilson next to me holding my hand I was able to get through the whole exchange.

Jack smiled when I told them the part about Louis’s outburst and how he was still ranting on the phone when I left. He frowned when I told them Mister wanted to go with me to view properties and Wilson’s hand tightened over mine. But neither interrupted nor asked questions until I was done.

“You’ve never seen the man before?” Jack inquired.

“No.”

“This is good,” Wilson rumbled.

“So you can find me a property for Martin?”

“Yes. And Asher’s flight lands in thirty minutes. Perfect timing for him to show up and play driver just in case Jack’s been seen by Martin or his entourage. It’s doubtful Louis has told Martin about this morning’s event but we need to play this smart. I’ll set up three properties for you to view. Asher will drive you and act as your bodyguard.”

I glanced over to Jack.

It was strange because Jack had only been protecting me for a day but I felt safe with him. I didn’t know Asher beyond meeting him a few times in Idaho. He seemed nice. His wife Sloane was great but still, my stomach felt funny.

“Asher will protect you,” Jack said as if reading my mind. “And I’ll be following. But Wilson’s right. If anyone’s watching you they’ve seen us together. Right now I could just be an employee of the casino or your man or a friend. It would raise unwanted questions if I was seen driving you to properties Martin asked you to secure for him.”

Okay. That made sense.

“What’s going on with Louis? Why was he so pissed?”

Jack smiled.

“Your man bankrupted him.”

I glanced back to Wilson. He wasn’t smiling, he was scowling.

“You did what? How can you bankrupt someone?”

“I didn’t, Shep did.”

I kept hearing about this Shep but I had no idea who he was.

“That’s clear as mud seeing as I don’t know who Shep is and I don’t understand how that’s possible.”

“It’s possible when Shep hacked his accounts and drained all his money.”

Holy cow.

“Why?”

“Why?” Wilson parroted.

“Yes, Wilson, why did you ask this Shep guy to steal all of Louis’s money?” I added.

“First, you can’t steal what’s been stolen. Shep simply redistributed dirty money that didn’t belong to Louis. Shep’ll take his fee then make anonymous, untraceable donations to women’s shelters, charities that help victims of sex trafficking, and he’ll fund safehouses and halfway houses for women who need help. As for the why, two reasons. The first, I want him out of play. If he’s broke he can’t bid at the auction. There are no IOUs. Cash needs to be present. The second reason was personal.”

I kind of admired this Shep guy; he was like a modern-day Robin Hood. And I liked the idea of that sleazeball’s money funding charities.

“Personal?”

“He had you followed. He put you in danger and scared you. That can’t stand.”

It couldn’t stand?

When I didn’t say anything Wilson leaned close, his blue eyes hard and angry. His expression scary and fierce.

“No one follows you, scares you, and puts you in danger. No one threatens to take what’s mine and if they do they’ll learn quick that shit is unacceptable.”

My heart swelled and a lump formed in my throat.

“Now the good news is, Martin’s unknowingly fucked himself.” Wilson went on as if he hadn’t just shaken the very foundation of my life. “And Eden’s extended an invitation.”

I was currently living in an alternate universe—one where receiving an invitation to a sale of humans was good news.

And that made me think—did I always live in this universe and I just didn’t know it? I knew prostitution was a huge part of the Vegas culture but the call girls I knew were in the profession of their own free will and could stop at any time. Right?

“What’s on your mind?” Jack’s question pulled me back to the room.

“I was just thinking how insane all of this is. And before you say it, I’m not stupid. I know sex trafficking happens. But I was thinking about the girls I know—the call girls. I’ve spoken to them, I know some of them. Believe it or not, they’re business minded. They know their profession has an expiration date. A woman doesn’t stay young and beautiful forever. One of the women I’m friends with has a master’s degree in finance. She’ll retire at thirty-five and live comfortably off her investments and rental properties. Sure, some people will judge how she’s chosen to make her living but the point is, it’s her choice. But I’m wondering how many women I’ve come across over the years who had that choice taken from them. Who didn’t want to sell their bodies. Women who were living their lives then were snatched off the street and forced into doing things they didn’t want to do.”

“Women and men,” Jack seethed. “Sex trafficking doesn’t have a gender or a race or an age limit. Sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers. The dark and depraved have no limits.”

Screw a new job. I needed a new life, one in a world where men and women didn’t live in fear of being bought and sold.

“I hate people,” I grumbled.

“Welcome to the club,” Jack returned.

Wilson shifted next to me, using his free hand to pull his phone out of his suit pocket. I tried to unlock our fingers so he could navigate his phone easier but he held tight.

Oh, yeah, my heart had swelled.

“Catarina’s on her way up,” Wilson announced.

Jack came out of the chair and circled behind it to get the front door.

“You did good today,” Wilson mumbled.

“I was afraid I’d screwed up, especially when Mister the Creep said he wanted me to arrange the property in front of them.”

“You handled it brilliantly.”

Damn, that felt good.

Like, really, really good.

It would’ve been safer to blame the feeling in my stomach on my father for never praising me or telling me I’d ever done anything brilliantly. But, the truth was it had nothing to do with Dr. Levine and everything to do with Wilson and his approval and how quickly I was falling in love with him.

Don’t give up on him.

He needs you to fight for him.

I stared at Wilson wondering if I was strong enough to fight for a man who had built walls around his walls. Was I strong enough to battle whatever demons he kept hidden?

Then I remembered. I was Helene Simpson’s granddaughter. She’d taught me I was strong enough to do anything.

I need you to never tell me no.

No one threatens to take what’s mine.

Ditto, Wilson McCray. No one threatens to take what’s mine.

Not even the man himself.