Exiting the elevator, I turn left to head towards the restaurant. I make it ten steps through the lobby before I’m stopped.
“Miss Olive, how are you?” Mrs. Giuliani smiles politely at me. Otherwise known as the mother of the man I let fuck me six ways to Sunday last night. Shit.
“Oh, call me Molly please, Mrs. Giuliani,” I say. “I’m good. How are you?”
“Good, and it’s Charlotte. This is my husband, Louie.” She places her palm on her husband’s chest, and an older version of the face I stared at last night looks back at me.
“Mr. Giuliani,” he says in a firm tone, holding out his hand to me. “Miss Olive, are you in town for business or pleasure?”
I return the gesture, keeping my head held high. I do not cower to men. “Well, it’s Vegas, so a bit of both I guess.”
A small smile forms on his lips before he fixes his face back to that stony, blank expression. “Well, enjoy your night.” He nods at me.
“Louie, don’t be rude,” Mrs. Giuliani scolds before turning to me. “I’m sorry. My husband lacks people skills. Have you got dinner plans? We were just on our way to eat. You’re welcome to join us.”
At this, Mr. Giuliani frowns but keeps his mouth shut.
“Oh, that’s kind of you to offer, but I’m meeting my assistant for dinner. He’s made reservations.”
“He?” she asks.
“Yes.” I nod my head.
“Oh, that’s… interesting. I won’t hold you up. Enjoy your night, Molly.” She smiles and then lets her husband lead her away.
Interesting? What the hell does she mean by that?Nothing more awkward than running into the parents of a guy you just had a one-night stand with. This could literally only happen to me.
I make it to the restaurant twenty minutes early. Sitting at the bar, I order a glass of red wine and start people watching.
“Enjoying the show?” a deep voice with a Mexican accent comes from my left.
“The show?” I ask.
“People watching. This city is the best place to do it.” He smiles at me. He’s very good looking. Maybe this is what I needto get over my infatuation with the enemy, someone else to focus on.
“I’m Molly.” I turn my smile on the stranger.
“Elias,” he says. “What brings you to Vegas?”
“Business. You?”
“Well, I can’t say I’m disappointed to be the reason that you’re here.” He smirks.
“No, I mean, what brings you here?” I laugh.
“Business and family,” he answers. “What is it that you do?”
“Development. What do you do, Elias?” There’s something about him, a darkness that’s telling me I should be afraid. But my determination to forget Alfie is stronger than my fight-or-flight instincts at the moment.
“Family business, boring stuff really. But something tells me my night is about to get far more entertaining.” Elias smirks and looks out into the sea of people as if he’s waiting for someone.
“Waiting for someone?” I ask him aloud.
“Yeah, my cousin is bound to show up any minute now,” he says. “How long are you in town?”
“I’m not sure yet,” I admit.
Just as he’s about to say something else, the hairs on the back of my neck rise. I turn and see a very angry-looking Alfie Giuliani storming towards us.
