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Overall, though, it had been smooth sailing at the casino. No fights. Only the odd drunk to deal with.
It wasn’t my idea of a brilliant career, but I had a meeting with Declan in the morning to discuss an administration gig at the organic farm, which would suit me better. It would also free up my nights for dirtier pursuits, like exploring more ways to make Manon scream my name.
Crisp was talking to a young woman when I arrived. Giggling and getting all touchy feely, she was young enough to be his girlfriend, knowing how he liked them young.
As long as he kept his sleazy hands off Manon, who was I to judge?
Acknowledging me, he nodded, while his girlfriend looked me up and down, wearing a flirty smile.
“Aren’t you going to introduce us?” she asked with a heavy Eastern European accent.
“This is Drake. He’s on the door.” Crisp turned to me and gave me that keep-your-hands-off-her look.
I nodded, keeping a straight face, thinking of the thousand pounds he was paying me for five nights’ work. Cash, and no questions asked. At first, it surprised me he’d even asked me, given our history with that minor episode at Merivale when I pushed him off Manon, but it wasn’t spoken about.
I thought about Manon’s twenty-first. “Um… can I have a quick word?”
Crisp gestured for his girlfriend to go inside. She gave me another lingering look, then swanned off, swaying her hips. Manon was playful compared to that girl, who I sensed was outright dangerous.
Crisp watched her walk away, then returned his attention to me.
“I need next Saturday off. There’s a party I’m invited to,” I said.
“Okay. Sure.” He went to walk away when he turned. “That’s Manon’s twenty-first I take it?”
I nodded.
“You’re together?” His eyes held mine for a tense gap.
It was no secret that he had the hots for Manon, but then he had his own young, sexy thing, so, what was the big deal?
“Well, she’s a friend, you could say.”
“In other words, you’re fucking?” He smirked.
I went to respond when I heard gunfire. Instincts kicked in, and I pushed him away. The bullet that had just passed my ear by a whisker was obviously meant for him.
He scurried inside, and I pulled out the gun Crisp had given me. I hadn’t been too happy taking it, but I could see why he’d insisted on me carrying one while on guard.
At least I knew how to use it, having practiced at a range when I was sixteen in prep for joining the army.
I gripped the pistol and stepped away from the light, but the black SUV took off.
The other security guard, Novak, a new guy who I hardly knew, arrived and positioned himself by the door, and Crisp gestured for me to follow him into his office at the back of the casino.
He pointed to the seat, then poured himself a whisky and offered me some, but I declined.
“Not a word to anyone,” he said at last.
Somewhat stunned, I nodded slowly, as it was only just dawning on me I could have just died.
While Carson had put me through the ropes and trained me in security, part of which meant danger and even taking a bullet to protect the public, I hadn’t really prepared myself mentally. I had to cross my fingers to stop my hands from trembling.
Crisp gulped down half a glass of whisky—the only sign that the near-death experience had ruffled him—then scribbled in his chequebook and handed me a cheque for fifty thousand pounds.
“Here, for saving my life. There’s more where that came from. From now on, I want you on my team.”
He said it as though I should be grateful for the opportunity.
