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“The poker game in the Millionaire’s Room is starting now. “
A loud voice boomed again overhead. Groups of men in expensive suits rushed toward a big glass room that lined the left side of the casino. We had to pass by it to get to the elevator, andI couldn’t help but snicker as I watched a line form to enter the secret room.
“That must be popular,” Avery said, as she stood on her tiptoes to look over the crowd. Even with her long, lean legs, she had to try to stand taller to see over the men.
As we slowly strode past the blackened windows, the volume in the large room seemed to amplify with cheers as someone opened the massive glass doors to allow the waiting men inside the Millionaire’s Room. As the line parted, I spotted a set of muscular and tanned arms holding the heavy doors open. The men seemed to take a few steps back as the man glowered at them. Without words, he commanded their attention and order.
As my eyes trailed up his hard chest covered in a black t-shirt, I found a stern-looking face staring right at me. His heavy brown eyes were putting me in a trance, and I couldn’t seem to look away from him.
He looked relaxed and serious as he stood like a tower. His presence seemed to cause fear in the men that passed by him, and I found that scene wildly attractive. It was true, I had randomly dated a few guys from town to town, but nothing serious. Falling for a guy meant honesty and sharing emotions. Two things I couldn’t afford to lose right now.
I hadn’t even realized I had stopped walking until Avery nudged me from behind. “What are you doing?” she asked, as she tried to search through the crowd for the source of my attention.
When she followed my line of vision, she smiled as she saw the dark-haired god watching us.
“Wow, look at that piece of sex on a stick,” Avery said, as she licked her lips. “He’s looking at you like he could just come over here and eat you up,” she finished with a tiny growl.
“Stop,” I chided her, even though I couldn’t help the giggle that escaped my lips. “He’s just checking the crowd,” I said, as my eyes continued to watch him.
“Whatever, that man wants you,” Avery said.
The hot and sexy guy glowered at me as he watched me move through the crowd. Once he noticed I saw him, too, his face smoothed a little, and the harshness disappeared.
Suddenly, a loud sound erupted from behind us as a woman with a green visor bounced up and down as she flung her arms in the air. “I won,” she shrieked, as she stood next to a slot machine.
The man who had been guarding the door motioned for another man to take his place, and he tore his gaze away from mine as he headed for the woman. It was clear he worked as security in the casino. What wasn’t clear though, was why he was looking at me like he either wanted to ravage my body or kill me.
The sick part was that I kind of liked the intense stare and the way it caused my body to heat and my heart to flutter. For the first time in my entire life, I felt something other than fear or sadness. Damn, maybe I was way in over my head.
CHAPTER 2
For the next few months, Vegas would be my new home. I guess I’d never had a true home. I had a place to live and keep my things, but I never had a place where I felt like I belonged. Where I felt safe. I was happy. My parents always made it their daily mission to remind me that I wasn’t wanted. To have control over my own destiny and happiness would be the greatest gift I could ever give myself.
My classes were already scheduled, and I would begin by taking mostly online courses and a few classes on campus in three weeks. That would give me plenty of time to work and save enough money for my first semester’s tuition.
“Are you just going to stare out that window all day?” Avery asked, as she walked out of the bathroom, drying her damp hair with a towel.
Turning to face her, I closed the curtain to the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the busy city below. “No, but this place is truly mesmerizing.” I sighed.
Plopping down on my bed, I picked up the stack of resumes I had printed at the library in the previous town we had stayedin. I re-read my words again, even though I was sure what I had written was perfect.
“You need to finish getting dressed so we can apply at restaurants and casinos. We’re only booked at this place for two nights. We can’t afford to stay here much longer,” I said, making sure to remind Avery of our dire situation.
As her phone buzzed, I turned back to my window and watched the people below. Avery’s parents called daily, especially because they believed she was traveling alone. I hated that Avery had to lie to her parents, but she was doing it to keep me safe. If anyone from my previous life knew I was still alive, I would be forced to go back to my parents. I couldn’t do that. I wouldn't do that.
With Avery’s parents believing I had died three years ago, they never questioned her need to travel or move away. To them, it all made sense. Their daughter lost her best friend. She needed to find herself and cope in her own way. I had promised Avery that one day, I would find the courage in me to tell her parents I was still here. I just prayed they wouldn't hate me for holding this lie for so long.
“Hey, Mom,” Avery chimed, as she walked around our small hotel room with her phone tucked between her ear and shoulder.
As she nodded and spoke when appropriate, I continued to watch the world outside. When she ended the call, we checked ourselves in the bathroom mirror one more time before we headed out for a long day of applying for jobs.
We stepped out into the brightly lit hallway and walked down the crimson-red carpet and gold-painted walls toward the massive line of elevators. I was surprised by the number of people awake and ready for the day. It was only a little past eight in the morning; most people I was sure of would still be asleep. But I guess Vegas was named the city that never sleeps for a reason.
After stepping on the elevators and making our way down to the first floor to the casinos, Avery and I decided to try our best with applying there first. We had about a million resumes printed and ready to hit up every casino in Vegas, as well as every restaurant and themed gift shop.
“Let’s stop by the front desk and ask to speak to a manager,” Avery suggested, as she made her way through the rows of slot machines.
Rushing to catch up with her, I hurried my short legs along. “Avery, this is a really nice place. I’m sure you have to call to schedule an appointment with a manager or something,” I offered.
