His Lair (Owning Vegas #3)

Prologue

Six months ago

Most people wouldn’t willingly walk into a lion’s den. I think it’s fair to say I’m not most people. I was raised to hunt, not to be the prey. Which is why I can stroll into the estate of Mexico’s most ruthless cartel leader. Emmanuel Lopez.

I’m here for business. He has a job, and I like to be paid.

We’re not friends. Then again, I’m not sure anyone is friends with Emmanuel.

Unless they like the kind of friends who will remove your head from your body if you look at them the wrong way.

Or he just happened to get out on the wrong side of the bed that day.

Emmanuel is good for money, though. I’ve done a few jobs for him over the years. He appreciates discretion as much as I do. I know what you’re thinking: What could a nice girl like me possibly do for a cartel leader?

I’m five-foot-five, tiny really, and a lot of people think I’m at least ten years younger than I am.

I have good skin. It’s not something I complain about.

I have the kind of looks that blend in with the crowd, which is intentional on my part.

If I wanted to stand out, I could. I choose not to.

In my line of work, going unnoticed just makes the jobs easier.

I’m what some might call a fixer, a hired gun, hitwoman…

There’s not much I wouldn’t do for the right price. Actually, there are a few lines I draw in the sand. Emmanuel knows those lines, and he’s never asked me to cross them before.

My body hums with the possibility of what he’s got for me. A lot of people do what I do purely for the money. I’m not going to lie. The money is great, but I love the high. The chase, the catch and the kill. I love it all. But money doesn’t hurt. A girl has to eat.

I’m escorted through the Lopez estate by four goons, who eye me wearily. I smile on the inside. They’re scared. Good. They should be.

We reach the office door, and goon number one knocks before opening it. “Ms. Miller is here, boss.”

“Send her in.” Emmanuel doesn’t bother to stand from his desk as I enter. Not that I expected him to.

“Ms. Miller, it’s been a while. Sit.” He waves a hand towards one of the empty chairs in front of him.

“You summoned me?” I say, taking the opposite seat just to fuck with his head.

Emmanuel’s lips tip up at the sides. “You and I both know no one summons you, Lailani,” he says, dropping the formalities. “Can’t a friend just want to catch up?”

“They absolutely can, but you and I are not friends, Emmanuel,” I remind him.

“If I had a heart, that would hurt,” he says. “I have a job for you.”

“I assumed as much. Who is it?” I ask, sitting straighter in my chair, eager to learn all the details.

“It’s more of a proposition,” Emmanuel explains, and I lift a curious brow. “I need someone I can trust in Vegas. I’ve gotten word that something big is about to go down and I happen to have friends I don’t want getting caught in the crosshairs.”

“I’m not sure what shocks me more. The fact that you trust me, or the fact that you have friends,” I tell him honestly.

He shrugs. “I trust you to do a job to the best of your ability.”

“What exactly do you want me to do in Vegas?”

“I want you to go in unnoticed. I want you to keep your eyes and ears open and notify me the minute something… unusual happens,” he says.

“It’s Vegas. Something unusual happens every night.” I laugh. “You’re going to have to be more specific, Lopez.”

“I’ve lined up a job for you at a casino.

Front reception. You’ll be able to see everyone who comes and goes when you’re on shift.

I want you to create a persona no one will pay attention to.

I want you to be the typical college girl working her way through school or some bullshit.

My friends—Louie, Carlo, Sammie—they’re all at the top of their game.

Do not underestimate them, and under no circumstances are they to know you work for me,” Emmanuel stresses.

“What are you expecting to happen?” I try again.

“People are making moves to take Louie out. I want you to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

“Does he know this?” I ask.

“Not yet.” Emmanuel nods to the folder in front of me. “All the documentation you need is right there. You start Monday.”

“You do know I don’t actually work for you, right? I take on jobs for you. There is a difference.” I narrow my glare at him. “What if I say no?”

“Name your price.” Emmanuel sits back in his chair and steeples his hands.

“How long do I have to be there?”

“As long as it takes,” he says.

“Five-hundred grand a week.” I doubt he’ll agree to that kind of money, but I am curious how much his friends’ safety is worth to him.

“Done.” Emmanuel nods without hesitation. Shit, I should have asked for more.

“Pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Lopez.” I stand from my seat and swipe up the folder.

“Remember, if you see me in Vegas, we do not know each other,” he says.

I smirk. “You’re easily forgettable, E.” I chuckle as I exit his office. He’s really not, but like I said, I enjoy fucking with his head. The guy is way more vain than he lets on. I wouldn’t know that if I hadn’t been in his presence for years.

“Be careful. There’re a lot of monsters in Sin City,” Emmanuel calls out after me.

“And there’s about to be one more,” I call back as I walk out.

Lights, music, smoke. That’s my first impression.

I didn’t tell Emmanuel I’ve never actually been here before.

I’ve traveled all over the world, all over the States, but I’ve always avoided Vegas.

There’s just something about this city… I’ve never been drawn to it.

Or perhaps it’s just that I’ve never felt the need to come here.

I’ve had three days to learn everything I can about E’s friends. Of course, I already knew about the three men he grew up with in this hellhole. I don’t take on jobs for anyone I don’t thoroughly investigate first.

Walking into the Royal Flush Casino, I put on my best na?ve persona. I’ve decided to embrace the opportunity to just be the random girl next door for a while. I’m here to watch and observe. It’s the easiest money I’ve ever made. How hard can it be to work the front desk anyway?

“Hi, I’m Lailani Miller. I’m looking for a…” I feign nerves as I stare down at the piece of paper in my hands. “…Ms. Gallon. I’m starting today.” I smile at the girl behind the counter.

She responds with a disapproving once-over. I just smile wider while I imagine cutting her eyes out of her head. I wonder how easy it would be to look so smug without them?

“Wait here,” she says and turns, flipping her high bleach-blonde ponytail as she goes.

I don’t jump over the counter and grab her like I want to.

I am nothing if not professional. I simply stand and wait.

Looking around until I spot the man in question.

Louie Giuliani. He doesn’t notice me, which is perfect.

He’s walking through the casino with his associate, Sammie Russo, who doesn’t notice me either. At least at first.

Then he looks up from whatever he’s doing on his phone and his eyes connect with mine, burning into me. I glance away, but I can still feel the heat of Mr. Russo’s stare on the back of my neck.

Shit! Way to go unnoticed, Lailani. Day one and you’ve already got your mark wondering who you are.