Chapter 41
NASH
Two weeks later
Iwalked across the casino floor with Theo. We were discussing some security improvements.
“I think we should add two more security guards to the main floor.”
Theo nodded. “Done. The new hires are shaping up nicely, so we won’t have a problem with that.”
We passed several blackjack tables. A pretty, young redheaded dealer had all her players laughing and smiling as she expertly dealt the cards.
The casino crowd was a little thin right now, since it was the afternoon. But in a few hours, I knew the place would fill up.
Then I saw my woman walking toward me and all thoughts left my head.
Beside me, Theo laughed. “I guess we’ve finished our work discussion.”
Georgie wore a neat navy-blue suit. The long, fitted skirt hugged her body, a crisp white shirt was tucked into it and topped with a tailored jacket.
The skirt alone ignited a few fantasies.
Some naughty boss and employee ones that I’d enjoy playing with her later.
I was gratified to note she’d put on a few pounds and was glowing with health and happiness.
“Hi,” she said. “I just finished work.”
“Me too.”
Her lips quirked. “You were coming to find me, weren’t you?”
“Yes.” I dropped my head and kissed her. “How was your day?”
“Amazing.” She snuggled into me. “Marilyn is a little scary, but I love it. She’s very detail-oriented and expects everybody to keep up with her. We’re planning a wedding for next weekend. It’s going to be mind-blowing. I love my new job.”
I could see that. And I’d heard from Bastian that Marilyn was thrilled with Georgie.
“I have my dream job and my dream man.” Her smile dimmed. “I wish Viv was here to see it. And Elliot.”
I pulled her close. “They can see it.”
My thoughts turned to my best friend. Buddy, I’ll take good care of her. You were right, she’s too sweet for me, but I swear, no one will love her as much as I do.
I didn’t get a response, but I liked to think he was happy for us.
“I’m sure there’s some rule about staff members canoodling on the casino floor,” a voice drawled.
Ignoring Bastian, I hauled Georgie off her feet and kissed her hard. When I broke the kiss, she was laughing.
Bastian stood beside us, watching us with a smile and a cocked eyebrow.
I set Georgie down. “I’m a consultant, not an employee.”
“Semantics.”
“I’m not going to stop kissing my woman. Ever.” I slid an arm around her.
“I’m going to order in dinner tonight,” Bastian said. “Landon said he’ll drop by. Alessio’s away, and Cole’s a maybe.”
I figured Alessio was off on another side job. I glanced at Georgie and she nodded. “We’re in. I’ll bring—”
There was a blur of movement to my right. Suddenly, a small figure launched through the air and crashed into Bastian.
Georgie gasped and I yanked her backward, out of the line of fire.
There were shocked cries as people nearby scrambled out of the way.
Bastian didn’t go down. He caught his attacker, but the added weight made him stagger.
That’s when I realized his attacker was female. Hell, it was the female dealer with the red hair I’d seen earlier.
She moved like a damn acrobat, slipping up and wrapping her thighs around Bastian’s neck.
As she twisted, this time he fell, trying to pull her off him.
They crashed to the carpet.
“Fuck,” I muttered.
“Aren’t you going to help him?” Georgie gasped, wide-eyed.
“No, he’s got it.”
Bastian yanked on the woman’s red hair and the wig fell off. She was short, petite, with a fit body. Her dark hair reached her shoulders and complemented large, brown eyes.
“Lark, I—” Bastian started.
She flipped and pinned him to the floor. “Shut up. I’m just here to kill you.”
Georgie sucked in a sharp breath.
I watched the tiny assassin pull a knife from under her vest. Bastian reared up and knocked it away.
She leaped off and launched a kick at him. He jerked to the side, and her booted foot narrowly missed his head.
I knew she was well-trained. There’d be enough power in that kick to incapacitate.
Bastian rose, his gaze locked on her. “Lark,” he growled.
“You killed him, now I’ll kill you.” She drew another knife.
The way she held it showed she knew exactly how to use it.
She threw it.
Bastian moved like water—fast, liquid. The knife embedded in the blackjack table beside him.
He rushed her, but she leaped onto another table, scattering chips everywhere. People screamed. Another knife appeared in her hand.
Several security guards, including Theo, were closing in fast.
Lark clocked them and her face twisted, then she tossed the knife and leaped off the table.
Dammit. She landed in a crowd of people and disappeared. I scanned around, but there was no sign of her.
“Fucking hell,” Bastian muttered.
“Oh no,” Georgie cried.
He had a knife embedded in his right shoulder. He gripped the hilt and pulled it out.
“Are you okay?” Georgie hurried over to him.
Impatiently, Bastian yanked his tie off, wadded it into a ball, and pressed it to the bleeding wound. “I’ll live.”
I cleared my throat. “If she wanted to really kill you, you’d be dead.”
“I know.” A dark look settled on his face, his gaze on the spot where she’d disappeared.
“Who is she?”
“Lark,” I said. “The woman who’s always trying to kill him.”
Georgie blinked. “No.”
“Yes,” Nash said.
Bastian sniffed. “I have no plans to be killed anytime soon.” He impatiently studied his shoulder. “Raincheck on dinner?”
I nodded. “Bastian, you need to take care of her. This is the fourth time she’s attacked you. Eventually, she will aim to kill.”
A look that I couldn’t decipher crossed his face. “I’ll deal with her.”
Georgie shifted Bastian’s hand and checked his wound. “You need a doctor. This needs glue or stitches.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Bastian said. “I’m more upset that she put a hole in my suit jacket. It’s Armani.”
Georgie rolled her eyes.
Now Bastian smiled. “Do you want to play nurse, Georgie?”
“Don’t make me kill you,” I muttered.
“I’ll be fine. I’ll get the hotel doctor to check it out.” Then he spun and stalked off toward the elevators.
I took Georgie’s hand and nodded at Theo. I knew he’d deal with things here.
“What was that all about?” Georgie demanded. “Will he be all right?”
“It’s a long story. He’ll be fine.”
“She’s an assassin?”
“Yes. Trained by Bastian’s old mentor, Ed Galloway. The man practically raised Lark, and she thinks of him as a father.”
“Okay. So why is she trying to kill Bastian?”
“Because Bastian killed Galloway. She blames him.”
Georgie’s eyes went wide.
“He had his reasons. And now, he and Lark are mortal enemies.”
“He was trying not to hurt her,” Georgie murmured.
“Yeah. She’s the only person I know who knocks him off balance. She’s deadly, but she hasn’t actually killed him. He’s protective of her. It’s complicated.”
“Hmm, well, I guess we’ll see how it plays out.” Georgie straightened. “But there’s no way we’re letting her kill him.”
“Right.” I pulled her outside and headed toward our villa. “How about we forget about Bastian and his problems and get home? I have a new orchid for you.”
“You do?”
“It’s yellow. I called it the Vivienne.”
She shot me a sweet smile. “I love you.”
“I know. And I’ve loved you for far longer than I ever knew. And I’ll love you in this life, and the next.”
I hope you enjoyed Georgie and Nash’s story!