AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Then I clutched the sides of the sink and stared at my reflection. It was nearly the exact same position I’d been in a month ago, but somehow in that span of time, everything had changed.
I just needed to assemble my courage to take the next step.
And hope that it was rewarded.
I made my way out of the bathroom and to the suite of executive offices located just beyond the high rollers and knocked. The heavy door swung open moments later to reveal Najette, looking as put together as always.
“Hi,” I said, smoothing back my hair. “Can I come in?”
She nodded and stepped aside to grant me entry before closing the door with a resounding snick behind us.
The sounds of the casino were completely silenced, and even though I knew it was because of the office’s soundproofing, the effect was still jarring. It was like entering a portal to a different world.
Najette’s heels clomped on the floor as she walked to the front of her desk, opting to turn around to lean back on it instead of taking a seat, the picture of patience as she waited for me to speak.
“Do you happen to know if Big Daddy is in today?” I asked.
She studied me steadily. “I’m wondering why you would knock on my office instead of simply checking his.”
Her tone wasn’t exactly cutting but more curious. Regardless, my cheeks heated, and I felt sweat at my hairline, as if I were sitting in the principal’s office, readying myself to confess to crimes that weren’t mine.
I was going to need the longest shower after this.
“Did you need something related to your performance tonight?” she asked, obviously trying to help me along, but my mind was entirely blank.
“Ma’am?” I asked, my manners activated by default.
“Tonight? I know I’m not an entertainment executive, but I do usually know what’s happening.” She reached over her desk and pulled out a glossy flier and offered it to me. I took it from her slowly, as if the paper could bite, the dread in my gut escalating in time with the heavy rainfall pelting the floor-to-ceiling window behind her desk.
I dragged my eyes down to the paper, my heart seizing when I took in my mom’s picture below a giant marquee with today’s date and time that read “Lady Luck” in a bold red vintage font.
I wasn’t sure how long I studied the photo before Najette spoke.
“You didn’t know,” she surmised.
I met her questioning hazel eyes.
“No. I came here to quit.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly. “I’m afraid I wouldn’t advise that.”
My dread had lessened now that the words were out, but a different kind of energy that was worse than dread unfurled. “And why would that be?”
She moved behind her desk and folded herself neatly into her seat. “Because you are under contract.”
The flier crumpled in my hands as she picked up her office phone. My ears were ringing so loudly that I couldn’t hear a word she said before she returned the phone to its cradle. “Big Daddy will be here in a moment.”
As if on cue, the heavy door opened, bringing the dingdingdings and canned coins-on-metal sounds from the gambling machines with it briefly before they were silenced again, and Terry Juno’s wide frame lumbered toward us, briefcase in hand.
“Najette, could you give us a moment?”
Her eyes flicked over to me, the slightest hesitation crossing her expression before she rose and left the room.
Marvel at my surprise.
“Sweetheart, I’m so sorry.”
I let out a relieved breath. Maybe this was all just a mistake.
