AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Really?” she seemed confused why I’d tell her that.
“No, but that’s where you’ll tell him I go if he ever asks again.”
“Got it.” She nodded with a tight smile.
“Thanks…” I paused for her name.
“Cynthia.”
“Thanks, Cynthia.”
I hurried through the back employee hallways and took the stairs to the third floor to avoid the shift change. I used Grim’s black card to override the elevator and shot straight to my floor without any stops. I smiled as I removed the card from the slot and thought how he’d have to pry it from my fingers now because the thing was gold for getting around this massive hotel.
A quick body shower, a makeup touchup, a new outfit, and I felt better. I was pleased at how my white T-shirt clung to my body. It was tied above my belly button and paired with a cute flowy pink skirt that hit about mid-thigh. I tugged on a pair of ankle boots and glanced once more in the mirror. The gold jewelry lifted my casual look, and some light gloss sealed the outfit.
I felt the familiar knot in my throat that came whenever a family dinner was in play. Nothing for it, I headed out.
The Lure Restaurant boasted a high-end menu and an even higher-end clientele. Of course, my father would reserve a room there on one of the busiest nights of the month. He loved playing the lawyer to the owners card. There were five exclusive rooms with glass walls, so you’d be on display. The rooms had their own private access to a shared balcony. The idea was you’d eat, drink, and mingle, then eventually migrate your way down the stairs to another private balcony used for an even more exclusive playing room. This was one of those places you had to know about and have enough money to get into.
“Kenna?” A voice oozed moist breath next to my ear, and I spun around. Yikes. Sasha, an ex from my late teens pulled me in for a hug. “How are you?”
“Good.” I stepped back with a shudder and managed not to wipe my ear. I clenched my purse in front of me with both hands to create a small shield between us. My father had introduced us when he and his friends had appeared in Vegas and then again at our home in LA. Dad said they were doing some work for him. I knew my father had been very stressed at the time over one of his cases. He was genuinely nice, and at eighteen, I was more easily impressed. It still hadn’t taken long to wonder what kind of work they did for my father. When I asked, my father would just say they were helping with his case. The creep factor began to show with his buddies, but my heart was invested in him. Things got physical, and he was my first. But after six months, I started to pull away when I found out that I wasn’t the only one in bed with him. That was over a decade ago, yet Sasha is standing in front of me. Aren’t I lucky?
“You look nice.” His eyes went down my body. “I haven’t seen you in a while. Maybe we could do dinner sometime.”
Sasha often spent time in the casino, and I’d seen him off and on. He’d watch me, but not in a way that showed he wanted anything more. He just watched.
“Yeah, maybe.” I looked away. “Are you staying for dinner?” Please say no.
“No, I just need to touch base with Cameron.” He began to walk with me.
“Everything okay?”
“Of course.” I repeated. With him in my head, it was always the same answer. “I just need a minute with Cameron, then he’s all yours.” He raced ahead.
I watched him lean down and whisper something to Dad. Then he looked over and waved at me from where I stood in the doorway.
Something felt off, but I pushed it aside. I needed to focus on one shitty moment at a time.
Everyone was already at the table. I noticed Simon Gable, my father’s PI and personal ass kisser, at our table. I liked him, but it bothered me that my father seemed to view him the same way he did Calli. With pride.
“My apologies for being late. Salazar won at the blackjack table, and we celebrated.” I beamed at how well he’d done.
“Good for you.” Dad nudged a napkin at me as I took a seat. I placed it on my lap with an inward sigh that he never gave me the chance to show my manners. “What will you do for him tomorrow?”
“Nothing.”
“You don’t have a plan?” His face had a shocked look.
“He’s leaving for LA for two days, so I don’t need a plan. Yen Hong has requested my presence.” He nodded at that and seemed satisfied. He began to scan the room behind me in hopes someone watched us. He did love to be on display. I tried not to take it personally; I wasn’t going to let him ruin my evening.
“Darling, be happy for Kenna. She did well for the hotel tonight.” Mom smiled at me. “I’m so glad you’re here, dear.”
“Now that we’re all finally here, can we please order?” Calli glanced at her menu then dropped it back down with a bored look. We all knew what she would order—a kale salad with the dressing on the side. Whereas I ate whatever I wanted whenever I had the chance. I rarely had time for anything but work most days. Besides, I worked out religiously and had no need to worry about my figure.
“Mom,” I leaned toward her, “Dale was telling me the chef here just got in a shipment of Prince Edward Island scallops, and they’re to die for.”
“I heard the Nova Scotia ones are better.” Calli shrugged.
