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His vulgarity makes me wince. “What’s your cheapest ticket?”
“Vegas. It’s thirty bucks one way. Next bus leaves in ten minutes.”
The information echoes around inside my skull.
Las Vegas. Everything I know about the city is based on what I’ve seen in movies. Big, bright, boisterous. Lots of people, plenty of places to stay, easy to get lost in the crowd. The fact that it’s only going to cost me thirty dollars out of my remaining two grand is also an attractive bonus. Not to mention that leaving the state might help me escape Esteban’s clutches.
“I’ll take it,” I say, reaching into my backpack to pull out my wad of cash.
The clerk eyes me up and down, no doubt suspicious. In the end, though, he doesn’t ask unnecessary questions. He probably doesn’t get paid enough to care. Besides, this is a simple exchange. I give him the money; he gives me the ticket. I’m on my merry way.
I board the bus in a hurry, choosing one of the seats in the back. When I sit, the hard outline of the gun tucked away under my shirt startles me. I’d almost forgotten I was carrying it.
Quickly glancing left and right to make sure the coast is clear; I pull it out and shove it into the bottom of my backpack. I consider ditching the thing entirely, but I’d rather play it safe.
It isn’t until the bus pulls out of the terminal and hits the road that I finally allow myself to relax. Exhaustion races through me, relief soaking into my bones. Soft Christmas jingles play over the bus speakers, but the rumble of the engine is so loud I can’t quite hear. It doesn’t really matter.
In another few minutes, I’m fast asleep with the taste of freedom on my tongue.
Chapter 2
Zane
“The buy-in is five thousand dollars, sir,” the blackjack dealer informs us.
Heath claps me on the back with a hearty chuckle. “What do you say, big bro? Feel like losing five K?”
Knox, my youngest brother, rolls his eyes. “Shouldn’t you be saving this money for your honeymoon? Maybe a house? I’m sure Darlene would love a house.”
Heath grasps Knox by the shoulders and shakes him. “We’re in Vegas for my bachelor party, my man! Quit being such a stick in the mud. We’re here to havefun. Ever heard of it?”
“I don’t know what Darlene sees in you.”
Heath pouts. “Zane, tell Knox he’s being an ass.”
I don’t say anything. I reach into the inside pocket of my suit jacket and pull out five of the purple casino chips I’ve been carrying around. There’s plenty more where that came from, but I’m silently hoping Heath doesn’t intend to burn all our money in one place.
“Knock yourself out,” I tell him. “But if you lose it all, I’m cutting you off.”
Heath beams, his smile brighter than the sun. “This is why you’re my favorite brother.”
Knox huffs. “You shouldn’t be encouraging this behavior. Blowing that kind of money—in this economy?”
“Relax,” I tell him. “Our first contract starts the day after New Year’s. We’ll be making five grand an hour.”
He shifts his weight from foot to foot, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “I still haven’t changed my mind, Zane. This client… I don’t think he’s good news. All my preliminary reports—”
“I know, I know.”
“Do you?”
“Look, we’re not protecting him. Just his wife. Phillips Security will have nothing to do with any of his…dealings.”
Knox, ever the worrywart, gives me a pointed look. “You’re really willing to turn a blind eye?”
I set my jaw. Our situation isn’t ideal. After returning home from serving several tours in Afghanistan, my brothers and I have always struggled to readjust to civilian life. I thought I could do it, but it ate away at me. The stillness. The mundanity. It was enough to drive me crazy sometimes. I could tell Heath and Knox were struggling, too.
Our foray into private security made sense. Not as intense as active duty, but certainly better than taking up construction or accounting or whatever it is normal people think good, honest work is.
