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“Marie?” Johnny’s voice boomed from the other room. “C’mere.” He followed his words with a flick of his wrist like he was calling a trusted pet.
Cheryl sucked in a deep breath and joined her husband along with three other men. When she came close enough Johnny pulled her to his side. “I’d like you to meet councilman Mark Davis, and Tom Wallace, and the city planner, David Ross.”
She shook their hands gracing them with her sweetest smile. “Very nice to meet you.”
Johnny mentioned some of the town council would be attending, although not the mayor. Not a surprise since the mayor of Las Vegas was a woman and probably already knew the agenda of this party.
“And it’s wonderful to meet you.” David Ross nodded between her and Johnny. “You make a very good-looking couple.”
“Thank you.” She graced them with another saccharin smile.
Sadly, Johnny’s good looks were diminished by his personality, but he was a natural when it came to hiding the dangerous side of his personality and ass-kissing important people. He’d cultivated the fine art of telling them exactly what they wanted to hear, making him and the jazz clubs enormously popular and lucrative.
“You have a beautiful home, Marie.” Mark motioned around the vast living room. “I just love the floor to ceiling windows overlooking the pool, and the view of the mountains.”
“Thank you, I?—”
“When I saw this place I knew it was perfect,” Johnny boasted. Along with the view of the mountains, there’s nothing I like better than the view of my wife out there in a bikini or sometimes nothing at all.”
The men snickered as a heat crept up Cheryl’s spine then circled her neck, along with the simmering anger that usually accompanied Johnny’s brash comments.
Cheryl excused herself with the ruse of checking on the waitstaff when in reality she longed to scream out she owned a million-dollar business. How in the last four years her income from Selective Services matched the jazz clubs. Clubs Johnny wouldn’t have if it wasn’t for her father, but a reckless outburst would benefit no one, least of all her. It was the main reason she rarely drank. It made her way too honest and honesty in her sham of a life wasn’t an option.
Preferring to keep a low profile, Cheryl went to great lengths to keep her business discreet, even though the services she provided were completely legal. Her name didn’t appear on the website and if anyone tried to investigate, the only name they’d find would be Izzy’s.
Cheryl didn’t need any suspicious eyes prying into her background or her lineage. The less people knew about her or Portia or their relation to Frank Barnett, the better. She held nosocial media accounts, and the few credit cards she used were under the name Marie Russo. Cheryl Benson now only lived in Marie’s head.
She did the bulk of her work in her home office, while Izzy conducted their interviews and business meetings at a rented suite in the Bellagio. Most of her business success was the result of word of mouth and satisfied customers.
“Our host is on his way over,” Samson said around a cloud of smoke.
“Hey, I’ve been looking for you guys.” Johnny’s booming voice surrounded them. “So, what do you think?” Johnny spread his arms wide. “Not bad, right?”
Nick shrugged and Samson took another drag on his cigarette.
When Johnny didn’t get the response he expected he glared at Samson. “There’s no smoking in the house.”
Samson looked over each shoulder. “We’re on the fuckin’ patio.”
“I don’t feel like listening to the wife bitchin’ later.” Johnny craned his neck. “I’ll introduce you. Where the fuck is she?” Johnny waggled his brows. “She’s one hot piece of ass and she’s got a cunt that’s so tight.”
Nick schooled his reaction determined not to give this moron the reaction he wanted. Although he would love to see who hooked up with this moron. Had to be a brainless gold digger, for sure. Who else would hitch herself to this loser?
Johnny turned back to them. “No bullshit, I’m glad you came. I wanna set up a meet so you guys can tell me how things work in Sin City.”
Nick motioned toward the packed house. “Looks like you already know how shit works.” The last thing Nick needed was this asshole hanging around Wicked.
Johnny leaned in and stage whispered. “Bunch of suckers. Political fucks I had to invite, but I want you guys to hook me up with the real action.”
“Real action?” Nick didn’t realize playing this fucker would be so much fun.
“You know, high-stakes poker games off the grid. Also heard you’re hooked up with some motorcycle club.” Johnny licked his thin lips. “And everybody knows how those biker bitches love to suck dick.”
Nick pictured Boa’s old lady, Madeline’s, reaction to Johnny’s comment and smiled.
“Yeah, see, you know what I’m talking about,” Johnny gloated totally misreading Nick’s expression.
Nick didn’t like Johnny knowing about their association with the Serpents and he sure as shit had no intentions of discussing them or introducing him.
