Chapter 39
NASH
“Okay, I want reports on the camera upgrades on my desk tomorrow.” I flicked through the security file on my desk, then looked at Theo. “And the new training schedule needs a few tweaks. I emailed them to you.”
The older man nodded. “Got it. It was a good session with the new guards today. They learned a lot from the training.”
“Good.” I glanced at my watch. “I’m heading out.”
A smile flickered on Theo’s craggy face. “You’ve been ready to leave for the last hour. Used to be, you’d sit here until late. But I guess having a beautiful woman waiting for you changes things.”
I clapped his shoulder. “It sure does. See you tomorrow, Theo.”
I headed out, eager to get back to the villa. Georgie was cooking dinner. Christmas was only a few days away and she’d declared that she was cooking Christmas lunch for me and the guys. She’d been testing out different recipes. I liked seeing her so excited.
It had been one week since we’d eliminated Snyder. I’d been keeping a careful eye on Georgie, waiting for any suppressed emotions or backlash or guilt to hit.
But she was fine. She was more than fine, she was happy.
Smiling, I stepped out of the elevator, then hurried outside to the path to the villas. A light rain was falling.
In addition to spending the week experimenting in the kitchen, she’d also been making candles with holiday scents. She’d made ones that smelled like gingerbread, another that smelled like eggnog, and another one that smelled like fir and spruce trees.
She’d told me that she had some things in storage and we’d had them shipped. We put a few pieces of her furniture in the villa, and the rest she’d donated. I’d helped her haul stuff to a charity that helped recovering addicts find their feet.
In addition to all of that, she’d also been busy looking at job ads. I’d told her not to rush it, but I could tell that she wanted something to do. She wanted to move on with her life.
My villa came into view. Warm lights lit up the inside and I smiled, knowing she was waiting for me. No more coming home to darkness. We could eat dinner, then I had plans to get her naked on the couch and make her come as many times as I could.
Yeah, I liked coming home to her.
I should never have stayed away from her, but maybe I hadn’t been in the right place back then. Hadn’t been the man she needed.
It didn’t matter. Now, I was never letting her go.
I opened the front door and was hit by warmth and good smells. I smelled cinnamon from whatever candle she’d been burning. And there were some delicious smells coming from the kitchen.
I dumped my keys. Yep, I was looking forward to a quiet night, just the two of us.
I rounded the corner and stopped short.
Alessio was with Georgie at the stove, both of them stirring a pot. Bastian was sitting on a kitchen stool, a glass of wine in hand and an open bottle beside him. Landon was setting plates on the table and Cole was on the couch with a beer.
An undecorated Christmas tree sat by the window.
“What the hell are you guys doing here?”
Bastian smiled and lifted his glass at me. Georgie turned and grinned, happiness shining off her.
“Hey, the guys showed up and they brought a Christmas tree.” She waved a hand. “A real live Christmas tree and a bunch of decorations for it. They decided to stay for dinner, and after, we can decorate.”
My jaw worked. I just bet they’d decided to stay for dinner.
“Alessio is showing me a secret recipe for the best pasta sauce on the planet.”
With her so happy she was glowing, I couldn’t stay mad.
I walked over and gave her a kiss. When she went back to the stove, Bastian held out a beer to me. “You can have her to yourself later.”
“Or you guys could find your own women.”
“Too many beautiful fish in the sea.”
“The table’s all set.” Landon announced. He accepted a glass of wine from Bastian.
Georgie clapped her hands together. “Excellent. Dinner is almost ready.”
Sitting at the table, my belly full of some very good pasta, my arm around a snort laughing Georgie, I felt pretty damn good.
Landon was telling a funny story from the clinic.
“The guy ran out of the exam room, naked as a jaybird. Picture a six foot five inch Black man packed with muscle. Kids and women were screaming. It took me forever to catch him and sedate him.”
I fiddled with Georgie’s hair. Despite the change in plans, we’d had a good evening.
The food had been excellent, and the tree was now decorated. The guys probably wouldn’t admit it, but they’d had as much fun decorating it as Georgie. The lights on it blinked merrily in red, green, and white.
I had good friends. They’d welcomed Georgie with open arms and gave her a sense of family.
“Georgie, how’s your job hunt going?” Bastian asked.
Her nose wrinkled. It was cute and I wanted to kiss her.
“I haven’t found anything right for me yet. It’s hard since I don’t have any experience. I might need to just start as a waitress or bartender for a while.”
Yeah, that wasn’t going to happen.
“With my degree in event planning, I’m sure Las Vegas will offer up the right opportunity. Eventually.”
“There’s no rush,” I reminded her. “You can take your time.”
“I can’t sit around making candles all day,” she huffed.
Bastian leaned back in his chair. “I have an early Christmas gift for you.”
I scowled at him. “You can’t give my woman Christmas gifts.”
“Yes, I can.” He looked back at Georgie. “Tomorrow, you have an interview. With the head of Events here at the Avernus.”
Georgie sat up straighter, then pulled a face. “I won’t take a pity job from you, Bastian.”
“It’s not that. It’s an interview. A toe in the door.
It’s up to you to get the job. Now, I will put in a good word for you.
I’ve seen your skills, your drive, your work ethic.
It’s an entry-level job working for Marilyn Strauss.
She’s been working in event planning for decades.
I poached her from Caesar’s Palace. I suspect the Army wishes they could recruit her.
She runs everything with military precision and she doesn’t suffer fools.
She won’t hire you if she doesn’t think you can do it. ”
I saw excitement on my woman’s face. She wanted the job.
“Really?” Georgie asked.
“Really.” Bastian sipped his wine. “She’s expecting you in her office tomorrow, ten o’clock. The rest is up to you.”
Georgie bounced in the chair and clapped her hands. “Thank you!” She leaped up and threw her arms around Bastian.
I narrowed my eyes.
My asshole of a friend caught my gaze and took his time hugging my woman.
I’d kill him later. Right now, I was too pleased that he’d made my woman so happy.