Chapter 2
Chapter Two
It’s been months of absolutely nothing. I have no idea what Emmanuel thinks is going to happen here. But so far, I’ve seen nothing. Louie Giuliani is as closed off as any mob boss can be. The guy doesn’t know I exist, even if I’ve spoken to him numerous times.
The only one who seems to pay me any mind is Sammie Russo.
I do my best to try to come off as shy and na?ve so he talks to me less.
It doesn’t stop him from staring, though.
Like tonight, when he came by to ask where Louie was.
Of course, he already knew. I’m not an idiot.
It’s odd that he came to ask me. I can’t tell if he suspects something or if he was just looking for an excuse to talk to me.
After Louie called down and had that woman he took up to the pool moved into the penthouse suite, I messaged Emmanuel to let him know.
It’s the only out-of-character movement I’ve seen.
His response was short. A simple keep me posted after I sent him the photocopies of the woman’s identification.
I have no idea what he wants me to keep him posted on, to be honest. It would be a lot easier if I had a particular thing to look out for.
As soon as my shift ends, I collect my bag and head for the employee entrance. I admit I thought this job would be easy. That’s not to say that it’s hard, but damn am I tired after each shift.
It does pay well, though. Can’t say any of my colleagues are making five-hundred grand a week.
If I ever feel the need to disappear and retire from this world, I at least have the funds to do so now.
It’s a nice thought but I can’t see myself ending my career anytime soon.
I happen to like my job. That said, being stuck in one place has been both good and bad at the same time.
I get to be normal for a little bit. Not that I’ve made friends here like normal girls would do.
They tend to complicate things. I know I told Emmanuel we’re not friends, but if I think about it, he probably is the closest thing I have to one.
Which is just plain sad, because he’s a fucking asshole with a trigger finger a lot faster than mine.
“Hey, Lailani! Wait up.” Sammie’s voice has my shoulders straightening. One hand clutches the strap of my bag while the other slides inside, wrapping around the small knife I have on me at all times.
“Mr. Russo, what can I do for you?” I smile but try not to make eye contact with him.
I can’t. Every time I do, I get lost in his gaze.
The man is hypnotizing. I feel a pull towards him like I’ve never felt for anyone before.
Maybe I just need to get laid. It’s been over a year.
I know! I live a sad and lonely life. But it’s the life I chose, and I like it that way.
“You heading home?” he asks. “And it’s just Sammie.”
I look around. I don’t know why he’s talking to me like we know each other. We don’t. “Ah… yeah.” I nod like an idiot, because I can’t think straight when I’m around him. My body is yelling at me to jump him and get the release I’m desperate for.
“Have you eaten?”
“Eaten?” I parrot him.
“Yeah, dinner?” Sammie places a hand on my lower back, guiding me out of the casino door.
“Um, no,” I tell him, trying to relax my body. I avoid people touching me, unless I initiate it. I’m just not that into physical contact.
“Great. I’m starving. Join me,” he says. He’s not asking. He’s telling me I’m joining him for dinner.
“I don’t want to bother you, sir. I have a really tasty bowl of ramen waiting for me at home.” I force an awkward smile on my face. It’s not that hard to do. This whole situation is awkward.
“You think it’s a bother to have dinner with a beautiful woman?” Sammie chuckles.
I can feel the blush creep up my neck and cheeks. Right now, I feel every bit the na?ve college girl I’m pretending to be. I’m also at a loss for words.
“Cute.” Sammie chuckles. “Come on, I know a great place. You like burgers?”
“It would be very un-American of me if I didn’t.” My stomach rumbles as Sammie guides me to the right of the casino, his hand never leaving my waist.
People on the street part when they notice us. Or I should say notice him. I can feel the presence of the two soldiers he has at our backs. They’re about four steps behind us and do not blend into the crowd whatsoever.
“Do you ever get used to the staring?” I whisper.
“What staring?” Sammie asks.
“Everyone is looking at you.” I glance around at the crowd, at the eyes focused on the man at my side.
“Nah, they’re not looking at me. They’re all just wondering what deal I made with the devil to get you next to me.” He winks, and my stomach does a little flip.
“Smooth, but they are looking at you,” I tell him. “I take this same walk on the regular and never get this kind of attention.”
“There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t notice you, Lailani.” Sammie turns and guides me into Johnny Rockets.
“Johnny Rockets? This is the place you know?” I lift a curious brow while doing my best to ignore his comment. I’m not blind. I know he notices me. A little more than I’d like him to.
“Yeah, you heard of it?” he asks.
“No, never,” I deadpan. There’s a Johnny Rockets on almost every corner of this strip.
“Well then, you are in for a real treat, babe.” He guides me into the fast-food restaurant.
Sammie slides into a booth that faces the front entrance. It takes everything in me to position myself on the opposite seat. I’ve been trained to keep an eye on the exit, on who is coming and going. I can’t be that girl right now, though. Right now, I’m just your average struggling college student.
I pluck the menu from the table and scan it for the least messy option I can find. The problem is they’re all really big burgers. “What is your poison?” I ask, trying to get a gauge on what Sammie’s ordering.
“I always go for the triple bacon,” he says. “How about you?”
“Single bacon,” I reply, dropping the menu.
“I’ll go up and order. Anything else?” he asks me.
“A side of fries—oh, and some onion rings and a Coke. Please.” I pull out a twenty from my bag and hold it out to him.
“What is that?” He eyes the bill like it’s personally offended him.
“For my meal,” I state the obvious.
“I’ve got you.” He smirks.
“This isn’t a date, Mr. Ru—Sammie,” I quickly correct myself. “I can pay for my meal.”
“So, if this were a date, you wouldn’t have an issue with me paying?” he counters.
“Probably not.” I shrug.
“Fine, it’s a date.” He turns and heads to the counter.
His words repeat over and over in my head. It’s a date. Shit. I cannot be on a date with a man I’m supposed to be surveilling.
When Sammie returns to the table, I slam my twenty down. “This isn’t a date. If it were, I’d be wearing a nice dress, maybe even heels. I wouldn’t be sitting here in my work clothes.”
“Okay, fine. Let me take you out on a date then. Tomorrow night,” he says.
“That wouldn’t be right. It has to be some sort of conflict of interest or something,” I say, looking for the quickest way out of this conversation.
“I’m not your employer. I’m just your employer’s friend. So, tomorrow night. I’ll pick you up after your shift,” he says.
“I have to use the ladies’ room.” Standing from the table, I pick up my bag and make a beeline for the bathroom.
Shit, what is it about this man that has me so frazzled?
As soon as I lock myself in the empty stall, I pull out my phone and call Emmanuel’s number. He will tell me I can’t go on a date with his friend and that will be that. I just need someone else to talk some sense into me.
“Lailani?” he answers after two rings.
“I have a problem,” I whisper into the receiver.
“What?”
“Your friend, Sammie Russo.”
“What about him?”
“He wants to take me out on a date,” I explain.
“Why are you whispering, and how the fuck is Sammie wanting to take you out on a date a problem for me?”
“Because you need to tell me I can’t date your friend,” I huff.
“Has he done something? Because he might be my friend but so are you, Lai, and I will kick his ass if he’s done something to you.”
“Other than ask me out, no.” I roll my eyes towards the ceiling. “And we are not friends.”
“Yet, here you are, calling me about your dating life. Don’t you have girlfriends for this kind of stuff?” Emmanuel’s voice is full of amusement.
“You know I don’t. Just tell me I can’t date him and I won’t,” I grumble. “He’s a job. That’s it. Right?”
“I can’t tell you not to go on a date with Sammie. Besides, the bastard is persistent. If he wants to take you out, he will wear you down until you agree. If he bothers you too much and you want me to step in, just give me a call,” Emmanuel says and then the line goes dead.
“Asshole,” I hiss at the phone.