Chapter 2
Two
Nicholas
M y passenger door being jerked open was unexpected.
“Hey Jack!” she yells. Shit. She’s probably going to yell at me to move, but there’s nowhere for me to go.
“Yes?” I ask.
She opens the back door for an elderly lady to climb in. I hold my hands up and shout, “Whoa!” But then lower them when I see the full view of the disheveled woman who is in a red dress that looks like it was from the fifties and who is sweating and panting as she climbs in the front seat.
“Thanks for waiting! Not to be a pain, but we’re in a hurry.”
Excuse me? She smiles widely at me. Her pearly whites shine bright against her red painted lips. However enticing her smile is, I’m annoyed with her head nodding for me to go. Apparently, my confused expression isn’t conveying to this woman that I’m not who she thinks I am. There’s been a serious misunderstanding.
I hold a finger up and begin. “Excuse me –”
“I know! I’m sorry.” She interrupts me, fucking interrupts me. “That was so rude. It’s just I have to get to The Red Chateau, like I should’ve been there twenty minutes ago. It’s crucial.”
The Red Chateau. What are the odds that she’s going to my casino?
She frowns. “You know where it is, right?”
I almost chuckle. “Yes. I’m familiar.”
“So you do know where it is. Great. Please. I’ll tip extra. Just we have to go. ”
Tip. That’s cute. I haven’t been tipped since I was a teenager working for my former boss and idol casino boss, Cleric, as one of his lackeys. Now I do business with him and have my own casino.
Sensing this woman is in a fragile state and about to completely snap, I force a smile. “As soon as the traffic moves, I will too. Oh. Your prayers have been answered. Buckle up.”
When I offered to pick up this car for longtime friend and VIP client, Journi Reign, I had no idea it would lead to such an adventure. This is a pleasant turn-of-events. I was wanting to do something mundane. Even I need a break from torturing assholes, entertaining the elite, conducting shady dealings, and living the fast-paced life in the casino. What a twist of fate. I took the wrong ramp, got stuck in the traffic of arrivals, and now this woman jumped in the car with me and brought her grandmother.
I own one of the top casinos on the Vegas strip, The Red Chateau. I wanted a French name in honor of my mother, who came here from France. She passed when I was young. My mother would’ve probably liked this nut in the car with me. I have taken on a lot of dangerous men, but this woman has managed to catch me off guard. In fact, this is the most interesting thing to happen to me in a long time. I won’t deny it’s those red lips that intrigued me enough to give her a ride. And the grandma said I was cute.
Since she refused to allow me to explain I’m not whoever she thinks I am, I might as well try to find out who she is and what brings her to Vegas. I clear my throat. “Are you checking in at The Red Chateau?”
“If I can ever get there, yes,” she says more to herself in a snarky tone.
“Well.” I quickly maneuver the car around the one in front of me and then begin to swerve through the traffic. She mumbles a few things as she clutches the armrest and plants one hand firmly on the dashboard. “I hope you’ll enjoy your stay.”
“If I get there alive ,” she repeats, and I stifle a laugh. The gall of this woman. This is fun. It’s been years since anyone has dared to use this kind of tone with me.
“Been there before?” I ask as I zip through traffic.
“No. Can we not do the small talk? It’s been a rough couple of hours, and your driving is making me nervous. I’d rather you focus your attention on the road and obey traffic laws.”
“Why did you sit in the front?” I deadpan. She doesn’t answer, only gives me the side-eye. But seriously…What sociopath jumps in the front seat and doesn’t do conversation.
At the red light, I quickly shoot a text to have someone at the door to help her grandma when we arrive. As soon as the light changes color, I have a little fun and speed off. The elderly lady in the back giggles and cheers. My front seat passenger has those red lips in a straight line and is white knuckling her seat belt. The car bounces and tires squeal as I pull up to the front entrance of The Red Chateau. I slide out of the car and hand the keys to the valet driver who appears shocked to see me in the little sedan. Admittedly, it’s not my typical ride. I like fast luxury sports cars. My longtime friend, Journi, on the other hand, despite being a legend in the guitar world, is extremely humble. Wild as hell, but down to earth.
“Put this in VIP parking,” I tell him.
Two of my employees are already assisting the grandmother and about to escort her through the doors. The other valet is opening the door for…
Huh, I didn’t get her name. She places one foot out and smiles up at him. I didn’t get a smile like that . Rolling my shoulders, I shake off my annoyance. I went out of my way for this stranger and she gives the first person who opens her door a genuine, and pretty, smile.
“Thank you,” she tells him as she rises up, but her other foot is still in the car.
“Step. Step!” Of course she’s not listening to me, and she’s about to trip. I rush toward her, just as she’s leaning forward. The valet attendant and I each take one of her arms and help her regain her balance.
She’s a fucking disaster.
“God, that was embarrassing.” She laughs it off.
“Could’ve been worse,” I offer.
Our eyes connect and something within me stirs. Looking visibly uncomfortable, she jerks her arms free. “Sure.”
I’m not sure what shifted her mood to cold. Her eyes become glassy. I watch in horror as she wipes them, effectively smearing mascara everywhere. “What is wrong with me today? I just humiliated myself again. I learned a lot of valuable lessons today.”
Same. Don’t give rides to strangers. That’s today’s lesson.
“Oh, my purse!” As she spins around, the heel on one of her red pumps manages to land in probably the only slick spot and twists. Her ankle turns at a painful and odd angle, sending her plummeting to the ground. The air from the car’s vents blows her red dress up her back, revealing two perfect globes.
For the second time today, she’s caught me off guard. Did not expect her to be the type to travel without panties. Furthermore, that dress should be burned for hiding such a delicious ass.
“Fucking hell,” I grumble.
She quickly tries to cover herself, but she’s not fast enough. The biggest looking douchebag I’ve ever seen appears out of nowhere, bursting with laughter. “Maeve! Holy shit! You sure did blossom after high school.”
The damsel in distress is up in no time. At first, she flinches and shifts the weight off her right leg. Her entire body turns red as her eyes take in the newcomers. She seems to make herself smaller, as if every part of her body is trying to curl into itself. The defeated and humiliated expression on her face has me seething.
“Maeve? Maeve Goodman. ” Another woman walks up and makes a show of wrapping herself possessively around the dick. She smirks at, who I now know is, Maeve. “Oh, I guess you would be here for the wedding. How again are you related to the Goodman brothers?”
Goodman brothers? My ears perk up at hearing the name Goodman. Vincent Goodman’s wedding is booked here tonight. I was hoping to get an opportunity to chat with one of the brothers and possibly discuss a new business venture.
Though the question was meant as rhetorical and insulting, Maeve answers her anyways. “Cousins.”
“Down the line I’m sure,” she sneers.
“Or twice removed?” the dope next to her offers.
The she-devil turns to him with a mocking look. “Don’t forget you dated her.”
And that explains it. I suspected there was a reason he was being extra cruel to her. Maeve is the cousin to the K.O. club owners from Arkansas, who are basically gangsters. The Goodman brothers are influential and it’s crucial I make a connection if I want to open a casino in their territory. They’re located in Little Rock, and that’s two hours away from where I want a casino in West Memphis.
And their little cousin is here before me, looking like she’s in need of a friend, as her loser ex taunts her with his new woman. I know this type; I’ve dated women like her before: a huntress. She’s one to bleed a man dry and slaughter anyone weaker for sport. A little lamb like Maeve is an easy target for her.
Lucky for Maeve, I’m a wolf.
I’ll swoop in and save this lost lamb and help her find her way. The valet driver retrieves her purse, but I snap my fingers for him to follow me. When we’re a safe distance I whisper, “Make a show of handing her the purse. Address her like freakin’ royalty. Tell her that all arrangements have been made. I want those two about to shit themselves.”
He looks like he’s about to have a nervous breakdown, but I pat him on the shoulder and give him a gentle shove toward Maeve. Crossing my arms, I watch from afar.
“I’m sorry about all that,” she apologizes. “Thank you so much.”
“Yes, madam. And all arrangements have been made,” he tells her in a British accent.
My brows furrow because what the hell ? Not sure why he’s doing an accent or where it came from. She tilts her head in confusion at him. A brief look of panic crosses his face. Then he blurts out, “Your fiancé, Mr. Deschamps. He’s taken care of everything.”
What. The. Fuck. Her fiancé?
His voice becomes more confident in his lie as he says, “He’ll wait for you in your suite.” He clicks his heels and marches off.
What just happened? I asked him to deliver a purse and fawn over her. Not to make us betrothed or engaged! Once again, once a-fucking-gin, I tried to do something nice and it backfired. It’s just not for me. I can’t be the nice guy. Lesson fucking learned.
“Mr. Deschamps?” “Fiancé!” They both shout at the same time.
Maeve tilts her chin up and smiles. “Yes. My fiancé. Mr. Deschamps.”
Clearly, she doesn’t know that’s me. The huntress places her fist on her hip. “No way. That bell boy was clearly confused. You’re not engaged to Nicholas Deschamps.”
Well at least somebody knows who I am. Little miss red lips and high heels thought I was a driver.
The dope shakes his head and looks almost hurt. “I thought you were rooming with your grandma?”
“I’m rooming with my fiancé and it’s none of your business!” She turns around, and thank goodness, doesn’t fall this time.
I rush in the side door and hurry to catch up to her.
“Not you again.” She groans. Ha. That’s a fine way to greet your fiancé. I almost tell her that, but something else is bothering me.
I take her elbow. “Did I do something? I gave you a ride and have been doing nothing but helping you.”
“Helping me? I hired you, and honestly, you’ve been acting kind of weird.” She makes a point of looking down at my hand on her arm.
Point taken.
“You didn’t hire me.” When she looks doubtful, I ask, “Have you paid me?”
She takes her phone out and swipes. “Of course I did. See, here on the app.” Her eyes widen. Taking a giant step back, a look of horror crosses her face. “You’re not…This says my driver left because I never showed. You’re not my driver. Who are you?”
“I tried to explain but you wouldn’t let me.”
“Oh gosh I jumped into a car with a stranger.” She cringes but shakes it off. “Okay. I’m going to go now.” She spins around and hurries away from me. Not sure where she thinks she’s going to go. How she’s going to escape me.
Only going deeper into my world.
Then I see her spin around and hurry back toward me. “Where’s Gram? What’d you do with my grandma?”
“I believe she’s checked in.”
She releases a sound of frustration and hurries over to the desk.