Page 16 of Risking it All

“Don’t worry, mama. I got you.”

She sighed and pressed her lips together as her hand slipped into mine. The softness of her fingers made my chest tighten.

“You’re beautiful, Iris. I want to say that before you find a reason to ditch me.”

“I’m not going to ditch you,” she said, blessing me with a smile that finished stealing what was left of my heart.

Come on, Saw. Stand the fuck up. You don’t even know this girl. She could be a con artist. It wasn’t like it would be the first pretty woman running some kind of scam. It was a casino. All kinds of people passed through there. The most common types charged by the hour. So far, Iris didn’t give off that vibe, but I had been wrong before.

I kept a firm grip on her hand as I escorted her to the D Lounge where the late-night comedy show had just started. I walked in on the balcony level and found empty seats for us. The booth was empty since it was for executives, and most of them were out of the building right now. She looked around as I helped her sit on the empty couch and settled down beside her. I scanned the code on the table to pull up the menu. I needed wings and another drink.

“Wow, this is nice. I guess when they told me the show was sold out, they didn’t think I could afford this. They weren’t wrong.”

“It’s for executives and owners.”

“I thought you said you were security.”

“Head of security,” I clarified as I passed her my phone so she could order whatever she wanted.

“I’ve never even been to a place like this. If it weren’t for Reed, I wouldn’t even be here now.”

That was my cue to ask her what exactly she wanted with him. It was one thing to mention him once, but now my interest was piqued.

“What exactly did you say you needed from him?” I questioned.

“Advice about life. He was able to overcome some of the things that I’m dealing with.”

“I might be able to get him on the phone, if that helps.”

“I think this conversation is better suited for a face-to-face encounter. Since we can’t do that, I might as well make the best of the night,” she said, passing me my phone.

“I can definitely help you with that part. Did you order what you wanted?”

“Yes. Thank you again.”

“I told you I was going to show you a good time, right?”

She nodded. “That you did.”

The host interrupted the smooth jazz, getting on the mic to introduce the first of the two acts. Right on cue, there was a knock on the door. I hit the button on the arm of the chair to open the door that let the server in.

“Hey, Sawyer, I didn’t know you were up here tonight. Someone said you were in the high rollers lounge.” Katy greeted me.

“I decided to take in a show.”

“That’s good. I can’t see how you guys own the place and work more than anybody else around here.”

“I’m not working. I’m taking in a show.”

“Right. I think I have everything you ordered. A bottle of top-shelf gin, orange juice, olives, ice, chilled glasses, strawberry habanero wings, potato skins, fried mushrooms, and dried martini.”

“That’ll be all. Thank you.”

“You two enjoy your night,” she said before making her exit.

“You’re one of the owners of this place and you choose to work security, or was that a lie?” Iris asked.

“So, I left out a minor detail. I’m head of security and part owner,” I revealed.