Chapter 28
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Idon’t usually sleep in, but I’ve been spending all of my nights digging into the Santiago family and what they could possibly want from Sammie. So far, all I’ve got is the fact they want to get in on the Vegas strip and haven’t been able to make much headway.
It’s starting to piss me off. I’ve thought about just taking matters into my own hands and taking John out. It would put an end to this wedding and put a hammer in whatever plans the Santiago family has.
I haven’t spoken to Sammie since he called the other night. I thought about messaging him, only to talk myself out of it as soon as I reach for my phone. He needs time. I get that. Although he did say he wanted me to go home with him—that’s promising.
Climbing out of bed, I throw on a sweatshirt and then make my way out to the kitchen. I need coffee, and a lot of it.
“Afternoon,” my dad says, looking up from his recliner as I pass the living room.
“Afternoon,” I groan. “Sorry I slept so late.”
“You’re exhausted. Whatever is keeping you up at night, I hope you work it out soon,” he tells me.
“Yeah, me too.” I continue to the kitchen.
After brewing a fresh pot of coffee, I head back into the living room.
“Is this the plan today? Sitting around in our PJs watching… What is that?” I ask, pointing to some weird-looking sport on the television screen.
“Cricket. And yes, this is what retirement looks like,” Dad answers.
“Well, I hope to never retire then.” I laugh. My dad does not find it funny, though. Any mention of my work creates tension between us. It’s a topic we’ve learned to avoid.
“John’s moved his wedding. Apparently his future son-in-law wants to host it at his casino in Vegas,” Dad says. “Do you want to come to Vegas with me?”
“Really? Who is this future son-in-law?”
“No idea. I’ve learned when it comes to John, it’s best not to ask questions.” Dad shrugs.
“What kind of friend is he if you can’t ask him questions? I’ll drive. I have to return my friend’s car anyway,” I say.
“Who was it again? The friend who let you borrow a three-hundred-thousand dollar car?” Dad asks.
“I didn’t say.” I smirk. “So when do you want to leave? I’ll book us some rooms.”
“Let’s go tomorrow. The wedding is the day after,” Dad replies.
“Okay.” I get up and head back to my room. “What casino?” I call out, already knowing the answer.
“Wild Card. You know it?” Dad calls back.
“I’ve heard of it,” I tell him.
How the hell did Sammie go about having the wedding moved? It’s smart. To have it on his home turf. But still, it’s two days away.
I pick up my phone and call him. I need to know what he’s planning. Although it’s unlikely he’ll tell me.
“Lailani, how are you?” He sounds tired.
“I just heard I’m heading back to Vegas earlier than expected. How did you manage to move this wedding? And why did you move it? What are you planning?” I ask rapid fire.
“I’m good too. Thanks for asking, babe,” he says.
“I’m sorry. How are you?” I try again.
“You know, great… if you overlook the whole my mother marrying a dirty fucking cop who’s tied up with a rival family thing, and the fact that my girlfriend is some high-level secret assassin—oh, and she’s not here where I need her.”
“Your girlfriend sounds like a real catch.” I smile. He called me his girlfriend. Maybe he is going to get past our little… disagreement. Time will tell.
“The best,” he says.
“I’m going to book a couple of rooms at the Wild Card. I’ll be back tomorrow,” I tell him.
“Why are you booking rooms?”
“Because I can’t take my dad to the apartment I rented. It’s a one-bedroom. And it’s just easier if we stay at the venue.”
“You’ll stay in my apartment,” Sammie says.
“Did you miss the part where I said I’m coming to town with my dad?” I repeat.
“No, I’ll make sure a suite is available for him.”
“Don’t do that. My dad… he’s… ah… Well, he doesn’t know about you.”
“You don’t want me to meet your father?” Sammie asks.
“I’ve just never… My dad still thinks I’m a virgin, Sammie. I can’t just drop a boyfriend on him out of the blue,” I explain.
Sammie laughs. Hard and loud. “Babe, there is no way your old man thinks you’re a virgin. Have you seen you?”
“He does. I’ve never talked about boys with him. I remember when I was fifteen and he said that no boy would ever be good enough for me so don’t bother looking for one.” I mimic my dad’s voice at the end.
“He’s right. No one will be good enough for you. But I’m going to do better. I’m going to be better. I mean, seriously, Lailani, he knows what you do for a living and you’re afraid to tell him you have a boyfriend?”
“It’s different. He was always so protective of me as a teenager that I just never told him when I was dating someone. It was easier,” I admit.
“What if I weren’t your boyfriend?”
“What do you mean?” I ask. “You want me to introduce you to my dad as what? A friend? The son of the bride?”
“I could be your husband,” Sammie says, and my heart stops.
My brain does some kind of weird circuit meltdown, because I can’t talk. I can’t think. I can’t move. Shit, am I even breathing?
“Lailani, you there?”
“Mhmm,” I manage to get out.
“Breathe. I’m so thrilled the thought of marrying me makes you breathless, babe. Wait until the honeymoon, then you’ll really know what being breathless feels like.”
“Is this a joke?” I whisper into the phone.
“No. I’m serious. If you don’t want to introduce me as your boyfriend, I can become your husband within minutes of you getting back to town. This is Vegas after all.”
“Sammie, we have a lot of things we need to work out. We can’t just get married.” I’m still not sure I ever want to get married. Though it doesn’t sound as… repulsive right now for some reason.
“We can. Those things will still be worked out, whether we are married or not, Lailani,” he says.
“Okay, how about I introduce you as my boyfriend, and if you survive that, we can circle back to the husband title?” I suggest.
“You don’t want to marry me?” Great, now he sounds hurt.
“No. I mean, yes, I do. I will marry you, Sammie. I just want you to be sure. Because I already told you, if I were to get married, I’m not getting divorced, and if my husband tried to leave me, I’d probably kill him before he made it to the door.
” I don’t know why I’m even saying this.
Just that with Sammie, it feels right and I’m used to trusting my gut.
“I’m sure. I’m not scared of you, Lailani. You’re not going to kill me,” he says.
“How do you know? I can think of at least fifty ways that would make it look like an accident,” I tell him.
“Because you don’t kill people you love,” he says confidently. “I do want to hear about these fifty ways, though.”
“I’m… I will see you tomorrow. Just give me some time to think about what I’m going to tell my dad.” I sigh. “I’m glad I’m coming back.”
“Me too. Do me a favor. Don’t leave town without me again.”
“What are you going to do? Tag along on every job I take?”
“I could,” he says.
“Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow.” I cut the call.
He didn’t say he didn’t want me to take on jobs.
That’s a plus. I’m not entirely sure I want to keep working, but I don’t think I’m ready to stop either.
Technically, I don’t need to. I have enough cash to live a very comfortable life.
But I don’t want a man to be the reason I quit doing anything.
I don’t want to be that woman. Especially when I’ve spent my entire life being taught not to rely on anyone, not to change myself for anyone.
Is it changing for Sammie or for myself, though?
I want the life that Sammie is selling me.
I was happy with him in Vegas. Although all of our interactions were in private, seeing as we never really went out publicly.
His friends didn’t even know we were dating.
Well, I’m sure they suspected something was happening. They’re smart and preceptive.
I jump online and book two suites at the Wild Card. I know Sammie wants me to stay with him, and I more than likely will sneak into his apartment. But I don’t think my dad is ready to know I have a boyfriend. Or I’m just too chicken shit to tell him that I do.
I take a deep breath. I need to tell him. I can do this. I’m a grown-ass woman. I’m allowed to date.
That is my internal pep talk as I make my way back out to the living room.
“Hey, Dad, can we talk?” I ask, sitting down on the sofa.
“What’s up?” he says.
“I… ah… I met someone. In Vegas. I met a man.”
“You met a man?” My dad pauses the television and turns his full attention on me.
“I mean, I’m seeing someone. Dating someone.” I clear my throat and try to force a smile.
“You’re dating someone?”
“Uh-huh.” I nod my head.
“Well, he must be important if you’re telling me about him. Does he know what you do?”
“He does now. He didn’t at first, but he found out.”
“Do I want to know what this man does?” Dad asks.
“He owns a casino,” I say, leaving out the fact that it’s a front for criminal activities. “Funny story actually. He owns the Wild Card.”
“He’s the son of the woman John is marrying?” Dad attempts to clarify.
I nod my head in reply. “And he wants to meet you.”
“Does he now?” Dad quirks a brow at me.
“I really like him, Dad,” I admit.
“I taught you to take care of yourself, Lailani. Probably too well. Even knowing how capable you are doesn’t stop me from worrying.
It doesn’t stop me from wanting to protect you.
But if this man is worth your time, if you think he is, then I can’t wait to meet him.
” Dad smiles. “Besides, if he breaks your heart, I’ll kill him.
I don’t care what crime family he’s connected to. ”
Like I said, my dad is smart.
“Thank you, Dad.” I get up and hug him. “But you won’t have to kill him. If he breaks my heart, I’ll kill him myself.”
“That’s my girl.” My dad pats my back and switches the television back on.
Good talk.
That went a lot easier than I thought it would. Now to survive the weekend and figure out whatever crap is coming Sammie’s way.