6. Casino Woes

M y nerves are eased a little after the drink by the pool. Reluctantly, I stand up and stretch, ready to head inside. I never realized how much I loved the sun until I got out of the underworld. The eye candy didn't hurt, either. But it's time to find out what the draw to the casino is.

I head inside and glance around at the other women that are milling around. I don't know much about the style here topside. Half of them are dressed in barely there dresses, the others opting for something more modest, but no less revealing. Sexy and classy? That I can do. Searching, I locate the bathroom for a quick change. My outfit for the pool is not appropriate for the playing floor

After ducking into the bathroom, I do a quick check of the stalls, giving a flick of my wrist to lock the door when I find them empty.

My reflection in the mirror smirks at me. "Oh, don't you start."

With a snap of my fingers, my pool outfit is replaced with a black gown. Simple and elegant, with a line of crystals along the sweetheart neckline.

My flip flops are exchanged for shiny black pumps. My clutch morphs to match. Even without looking I know it will be like that old movie humans loved, the bag magical enough to have endless space. Just call me Mary Poppins.

That thought has laughter bubbling out of me and it takes a second to realize that it's been too long since I've laughed so freely. What is happening to me?

My outfit may be perfect, but my hair looks like I've been at the pool all day. With another wave of my hands, beach curls appear framing my face. Another twitch of my fingers, and my makeup is glammed up.

My smirk only grows wider at the sexy goddess staring back at me. Damn, I clean up nice.

Satisfied now, I unlock the bathroom door and make my way onto the casino floor.

The first thing I notice is the bright flashing lights coming from the row of machines with older ladies with blue hair at each one. The smell of smoke and perfume is strong here.

The carpet is wild mix of white, green, red and black swirls. Behind the machines are tables with uniformed people standing beside each of them. People already occupy the stools surrounding it, exchanging tokens and cards, stony expressions on their faces.

The women in front of me each clutch giant cups and feed their coins into the slots before pulling a giant lever.

My feet carry me closer. I'm in awe of the screens that seem to have captured their attention. Bright colors and lights spin as they pull the lever, whispering words of encouragement as they bounce nervously in their seats .

The lady in front of me starts jumping up and down as the machine she sat in front of rings loudly. At first, I'm unsure what is happening, but then she shrieks, "I won, I won," and frantically starts scooping her winnings back into her cup only to feed it again.

I stroll past the line of machines and discover there are different tables set up, each for a different game.

"Hey beautiful, will you blow on these for me?" A gentleman in a cowboy hat asked as I was about to pass

I blew on the dice that he is holding out and he then proceeds to throw them down the long table. I watch as the dealer calls a six. The man excitedly yeehaws and throws his cowboy hat in the air.

"You, little lady, may just be my lucky charm."

"Oh, that was all you." I tease. As I start to step away from him and the table, he grabs my arm, stopping me in my tracks.

"Where do you think you're headed?"

"To find my date, I'm meeting him at the bar," I reply, yanking my arm from his grasp. My magic threatens to spark up and meet the threat but I swallow it down, holding onto my well-honed control.

"Why don't you forget about him and stay with me? We can rack up so much more dough at this table," he countered with a wink and a smirk.

"That's kind of you, but no thank you."

He grasps my bicep harder this time. "No one declines my invitations."

The asshole grits his teeth, pulling me toward him.

I do my best to remain calm, but I sense my temper rising. He has no clue how close he is to death.

Until I spot a hand on his shoulder .

Glancing behind the cowboy, I barely keep my composure as I take in yet another beautiful man.

What is in the water at this hotel?!

He's decked out in a black suit, a white button up shirt, with a black tie hanging down to his waist. Thick, brown hair is perfectly parted to one side with not one strand out of place. His full lips stand out on his cleanly shaven face, with a slight dimple in his chin just like Warrick.

Shit, is it possible that there is a third brother?

"Sir, if you will please take your hands off this woman. We do not condone that kind of behavior in this establishment. I am going to have to ask you to pack up and leave not only the casino but the hotel," his smooth voice informs my captor. There is a hint of authority in his voice that sets the man on edge, his jaw ticking at the intrusion.

I can only feel relief. Not that I couldn't have taken care of myself, but he inadvertently protected my cover.

"How dare you. Get your hands off of me. Who do you think you are? Do you know who I am? Get me the manager. Now !" His voice rises with each statement, his face an angry purple by the time he finishes.

"I am Drevi, the manager and one of the owners of the 4 Horses. I can assure you that I have the authority to kick you out of both. If you wish, we can contact my brother Warrick. I have no doubts that he will back me up."

They both stare at each other. Drevi is unwavering and the picture of calm. The man is sputtering and looking more foolish by the second.

"Fine," the cowboy grumbles. "I‘m leaving without a scene, but trust me when I say I won't be back and none of my business partners will visit this location again. Not when it prefers sluts over money." He spits the final words at me and I raise a single brow as I cling to my composure.

I have half a mind to disintegrate him right where his pompous ass stands, sending him directly to the Underworld.

No trial, just straight to the depths of Tartarus with my child-eating father.

"Sir, we treat all our guests fairly. Not one is more special than another. I watched this woman kindly decline your offer. As she attempted to leave, you placed your hand on her, not once, but twice, and pulled her to you. Now you insult her character because I'm asking that you leave? You, sir, are the type of man that gives the rest of us all a bad rap. Please collect your winnings and your belongings. Johnny here will escort you to your room and out of the hotel."

Drevi gives a brief, dismissive nod.

The asshole is forced to release me as he's led away from us. My arm aches and I just know he left a mark. He's lucky to be alive. The moment my eyes catch on Drevi's, I'm lost in his slate gray eyes.

He lets out a polite cough that breaks the spell between us

"Sorry, it's been a long and confusing day. No one in this hotel seems to think highly of me," I mumbled before forcing a smile. "Thank you for coming to my rescue. I think I'll retire to my room. So much for my first vacation, I've never been treated so rudely in my life" My words end in a frustrated huff.

"I'm sorry, miss," Drevi starts. "Is there anything that I can do to make your stay more comfortable?"

With that smirk on his lips, my brain tells me to run, but my heart is telling me the opposite.

I wave him off. "Rude people, nothing you can do to change that. Thank you for coming to my aid, but I'm going to head in. "

As I turn to leave, he touches my elbow. I do my best to hide the shiver that courses through my body at the contact. It's nothing like the touch from the cowboy.

"Miss," he says as I glance back at him. "Could I interest you in some dinner? It seems a shame to let your night be ruined all because some people don't have any class."

I consider it for a moment. It does sound nice and what do I have to lose at this point?

"That would be lovely. Will you give me a few minutes to freshen up?" I ask, trying to keep a straight face.

He removes his fingers from their place on my elbow and I immediately miss the contact. "Yes, I'll be waiting at the bar. Meet me there whenever you're ready."

I nod and make a beeline for the bathroom I changed in earlier. Fumbling once again for my phone, my fingers grasp it just as I open the door. This time the bathroom is abuzz with activity, women fighting over mirror space. Some are adding touches to their makeup while others are getting their boobs situated in their pushup bras. As I stand in line for a stall, my fingers type at lighting speed.

Lainie, I have a date. Gods help me, I couldn't say no, but now I am regretting this rash decision.

In mere seconds, her words appear in a flash on my screen. I can just picture her back home, eating a snack and waiting for my insane updates.

M'lady, you are Hades. Do not forget that, if you can survive your brothers, this date does not stand a chance .

I'm Hades, can a date be worse than a day judging souls? Surely not, I think to myself.

Yes, you're right of course. Your words are just the encouragement I need. Oh, and next time my brothers coming calling, and I'm not home, please don't tell them where I am.

Forgive me, I know they meant well. You are their little sister.

It's finally my turn to take a stall, so I text Lainie a farewell and enter the small space with a toilet. Only after I promise to tell her details do I throw my cell into my purse.

There is a pounding on the door. "Hurry up in there. Some of us can't hold our liquor very well," a voice yells from the other side. It's been seconds and I bite back an annoyed growl.

"Two minutes," I call back, refusing to have another altercation with rude people today.

Taking a few deep breaths, I use my magic to refresh my makeup and hair. In a few seconds I'm ready to face Drevi. Thankfully we're meeting at the bar where I can grab a drink, or twenty.

When I leave the stall, a blonde in a skimpy blue dress stumbles into me. She mumbles an apology as she closes the door once I'm clear.

Somehow in the few moments I was in the stall, the crowd doubled in size.

I wedge my way in between the horde of women at the mirror, studying my reflection to ensure my makeup and hair are still intact.

Satisfied with myself, I wiggle my way free of their bodies, and the door pushes in as another woman joins the party. I take the opportunity to make my escape, smoothing my gown down and reminding myself to breathe as I search for this bar he mentioned.