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“What time is it in Las Vegas?” I ask, desperate to change the subject.
He looks at the smartwatch on his left wrist. “Just after eight in the morning.”
I groan. Jet lag is going to suck, but it could be worse, and we could be landing in the middle of the night. I’m glad I managed a semblance of a nap, no matter how restless it was. With a glance at the door, I stand. “Can you get out so I can freshen up?”
He smirks but moves toward the door. “See you out there, little vixen. Perhaps after we’re married, you’ll tell me about that dream.”
Chapter twelve
Chapter 11
Owen
Astheplanetouchesdown, I sense tension between Bellamy and Tobias. What did he say to her when he went to check on her? Bryce has—thankfully—stayed quiet for the duration. Even when I was locked in a battle of wills with Tobias over who was going to wake her up. Otherwise, it’s been an uneventful flight, but now everyone is on high alert. As far as we can tell, no one has figured out that we’re in Las Vegas, and I plan to keep it that way for as long as possible.
Matteo waits on the tarmac for us, standing at attention in front of a black SUV. Victor and Luke are elsewhere, probably handling business before they have to open High Card tonight. Matteo wanted to close, but I convinced him that things need to be business as usual, so we don’t spook anyone. Our club is home to many criminals. I doubt there is anyone there with ties to Tobias. Bellamy and I have kept our relationship a secret all these years by vetting everyone carefully.
Bellamy steps off the plane last, and Matteo looks at me with one eyebrow raised. I give a subtle shake of my head. Now is not the time for his questions. But they’ll have to be asked and answered eventually. I understand that.
The SUV is running, and we’re all silent as we pile in. Bellamy takes the front seat before anyone can object, so I’m stuck sitting in the middle between Bryce and Tobias.
“Where do you want to go?” Matteo asks as he pulls away from the private jet.
“Sapphire. I can keep an eye on everyone better from there.”
“You can drop me at Diamond Desire. I’m having breakfast with Skylar,” Bryce says.
Matteo doesn’t say anything as he eases onto the road that will take us to the I15 and eventually onto the Las Vegas strip, but I sense the tension between him and Bryce. I’ll be happy when that situation is resolved.
“What’s so special about the Sapphire?” Tobias asks.
Matteo glances at me in the rear-view mirror, but I avoid eye contact and look out my window. “I’m head of Hunter Novak’s rapid response team and his cyber security division. Started out at the Elysium and recently took over the entire operation for all three of his resorts.”
Tobias snorts. “So, all those hours in front of the computer paid off it seems.”
I fight the urge to turn around and sock him in the shoulder the way I might have done if we’d remained friends over the years.
“Novak gives me pretty broad freedom, too.”
“He’s a powerful ally to have,” Tobias admits. “Perhaps that will come in handy.”
It only takes a few minutes to get to the iconic strip. It bustles with activity, and I spot at least four security risks as we drive. But inside the Sapphire is safest for us. My house is another possibility, but taking Bellamy there and not being able to have her in my bed is too painful.
We drop Bryce off first, then Matteo pulls into the employee lot of the Sapphire and parks near an entrance. “I’m going to let you three get settled. I’ll be in my office until you’re ready for me.”
“Office?” Tobias questions.
“He runs VIP services for Bliss, the night club. Working on striking a profit-sharing agreement with Novak,” I explain as I open my door.
Tobias exits and looks at me over the hood of the car. “Word is Novak is a bit of a straight edge. How does he feel about your criminal ties?”
“He’s a reasonable man and isn’t above using organizations like ours when he needs to. We have a gentlemen’s agreement never to use his casinos to launder money, and he lets us keep our jobs because we’re so damn good at them.”
Inside, I take us to my command center, surprising my employees.
“As you were. I just need to take care of something,” I say as I sit at a keyboard and find an open room we can take over. Once we’re in the system, I turn the cameras on in the suite I’ve picked. Not all of our VIP rooms are equipped, and they’re turned off unless the guest requests them, but I’m not taking any chances with our safety.
“Room is ready,” I say with a wink at Bellamy. “Don’t worry, love. The penthouse with three bedrooms was open.”
