AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Tex and the boys watched as the girls headed for a night in Sin City.
“Think they’ll be okay?” Shooter asked.
Tex nodded. “Apparently, my girl really does run Vegas. I’d be more worried about us, honestly.”
Walter chuckled. “Oh, not to worry, Sir. Ms. Raines has taken care of all tonight’s entertainment for you.”
Easy looked unsure. “A chick planning a bachelor party? I don’t know. Are we gonna end up at a synchronized swimming show?”
Walter’s eyes twinkled. It was clear he had no doubts about Abby or her plans. He opened the back door and gestured for the men to climb on board.
After they piled in and took their seats, Easy leaned toward the lowered partition between the driver and the passengers. “So,” he said, clapping his hands together. “Which club are we hitting first? Which one has the hottest chicks?”
Walter smiled and pulled away from the curb. “First stop is off-Strip, gentlemen.”
Easy groaned. “Awww. I knew it!”
But Tex shook his head. “My girl’s anything but boring, Easy.”
Walter wasn’t kidding about going ‘off-Strip’. The large vehicle swung into an alley three blocks from the main drag. Walter got out and opened the back door for them. Easy looked around, particularly uneasy. Even Hawk looked a little cautious.
“Did anyone think to bring weapons?” Easy asked.
Walter herded the group to a steel door and knocked succinctly. It opened, revealing a large bouncer in leather pants and a black t-shirt stretched across his huge pecs. Tex was tempted to tell him the pants were less badass and more Siegfried and Roy, but kept his mouth shut. Walter produced a business card and handed it to the man. He nodded and stepped aside.
The five army rangers cautiously entered the building, making their way down a nondescript hallway. At the end they were greeted again. But not by a juiced up bodybuilder with questionable attire. This time they were greeted by a woman with long, silky brunette hair and the shortest red dress that Tex thought could still be considered clothing.
“Gentleman,” she said, greeting them warmly. “It’s this way.”
Easy apparently approved because he shouldered his way to the front of the group and followed the siren across a well-appointed sitting room with cherry furnishings and a large, thick carpet that stretched nearly wall to wall. The group headed toward two large oak double doors that were closed. Apparently, the siren liked what she saw, as well, because she kept peeking over her shoulder at the youngest of the group.
She opened the doors revealing a large felt table with five chairs.
“Oh, sweet!” Easy remarked, temporarily forgetting about the siren.
As they took up the chairs, a side door opened and two women appeared, each carrying stacks of chips in racks. It was hard to look at the racks because of their racks. Both women were topless and only had on black short shorts.
Hawk laughed.
“Your stakes, gentleman,” said the blonde, leaning over the table seductively to divvy out the chips.
The hostess took a brand new deck of cards from the solid oak bar off to the side of the room and placed them in the center of the table. She nodded to the other brunette, who set down her chips and headed to bar, returning with a humidor. She opened the lid and offered them some of the finest Cubans Tex had seen since his army days. The other took their drink order, explaining that everything was covered. Except tips, she playfully pointed out and grinned cheekily.
Easy leaned back in his chair and arranged his cards. “You’re right. Not boring,” he declared.
Tex sipped his scotch and smiled. “Nope. Not my girl.”
****
Abby and Sarah pulled up in front of La Celestine, which Sarah had seen on the Food Network Channel. The valet grinned at the classic car and Abby led her friend straight into the lobby. The hostess made a beeline for them and greeted them warmly.
As they made their way across the dining room, Sarah kept close to Abby. “I’ve never eaten at a place like this before.”
Abby looked at Sarah over her shoulder. “Well, don’t get your hopes up. You’re not eating here tonight.”
Sarah’s face fell but Abby smiled. “Well, you might,” she amended. “If you do a good job.”
Sarah’s eyebrows knitted together. “A good job?” she asked as the hostess led them past the other diners and through the swinging doors of the kitchen. The slightly older girl’s eyes got impossibly wide as she took in the gleaming stainless steel appliances and counter tops, the bright white of the chef and sous chef’s jackets, and the mouthwatering smell of French cuisine.
Alphonse Remoude himself made his way toward them.
“Abby!” he cried, smiling. His arms were held wide.
Abby stepped into them and returned the older man’s hug with enthusiasm.
“What have you brought me, then, hmmm?” he asked, stepping back and eyeing Sarah.
