25. Do Something Calming
“Mila!”
I wasn’t sure I would ever get used to people being happy to see me. Not because I was there to do my work and theirs. Not because they needed a favor. Not because they were a creepy shift manager who wanted to fuck me.
Just plain happy to see me.
But as I approached Juliet’s little corner of outdoor paradise, that was exactly how she greeted me.
“Hi,” I said, just as happy to see her. Kind of. I would be once I addressed the elephant in the room.
Or the Daddy and the security lurking.
“Hi, Elliot,” she greeted him like it was no big deal. And from what Ash had said, it wasn’t.
He stayed at a distance as she ushered me into her area and played the hostess perfectly again. “Sit. Can I get you anything? Tacos? Cheese plate? Double rum and Coke?”
“Juliet,” a suited man rumbled.
A big, scary suited man without a single laugh line on his stoic face. I hadn’t even noticed him, which was surprising because he was not a slight man. He was beyond muscular, like he went to the gym as a warm-up before going to a secret strongman gym with workouts a normal person couldn’t even fathom.
This must be Marco.
Juliet just rolled her eyes at his warning. “Don’t mind Marco. He has the sense of humor of a cactus.”
“Right,” I said.
“But seriously, do you want anything?” She cut off the big guy’s interruption with her own. “Other than the cocktail. I have water and Diet Coke, but we can get anything sent over.”
“I’d kill for a Diet Coke,” I said.
She grabbed us each one from the wicker cooler before picking up a paper bag. “Okay, so this is probably really awkward, and feel free to tell me to shove it.”
“Okay,” I drawled, trying not to jump to the worst-case scenario.
Trying but failing.
“So when Ash told me that you liked the first dress and he wanted to buy more, I just grabbed stuff from my finished pile for Hilda’s.”
Am I?—
I didn’t have the chance to freak out that I’d gotten clothes meant for someone else when she pointed toward the door. “Hilda’s is a dress boutique inside where I consign some of my stuff. It’s cute. Well, most of it. Some”—she grimaced—“is not my personal style.” She took another big breath. “Anyway, hearing that you liked it was great, but seeing you wear those two dresses…” She put her hand to her chest. “It meant so much to me. Because even if it’s awesome when I find out someone bought one of my designs, I never get to see them wearing them, and that’s the fun part. You know what I mean?”
When it came to my own meh clothing, I didn’t get it. Not at all. But I could see how it would be different when the clothes were so lovely.
Still, I nodded.
“Anyway, I’ve been working on a really fun dress. Super sexy. Ash might thank me or vow to forever snitch on me. I’m not sure yet, but I’ve been dreading handing it over to Hilda’s because then I’d never see it again. But it would look so amazing with your dark hair and blue eyes. I took it in and adjusted the length, but if it’s not right, I can fix it. And I know the sizing on the other stuff is off because, like I said, I just sent it over. So I can alter that, too.”
I already liked Juliet a lot. But at the kind gesture and the nervous way she spoke, I didn’t just like her.
I felt a connection to her.
“Oh, it’d help if I gave it to you, huh?”
She passed me the bag, and I carefully pulled out a long black dress. The fabric was soft and made it look almost casual. There was no stiffness or sheen like a formal gown might have. The high neckline of the halter secured with a thick band, and two slits went all the way up each leg. That should’ve been the sexiest part of it, but it wasn’t.
Not for Ash.
Because it wasn’t a true backless halter dress. Instead, strips of the fabric had been made to look like rope. Juliet had knotted and woven them together in an intricate design that connected the neckband to the low-cut back of the dress—while still showing a lot of skin between.
At a distance, it would look like I was tied with one of Ash’s ropes.
“You know,” I surmised.
She lifted her drink. “My husband may have let something slip once.”
I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen something so sexy and subtly naughty before. It would feel like an inside secret between Ash and me. And just thinking about how he’d look at me…
I needed a drink. Or maybe to risk a dip in the pool because my whole body felt overheated.
I carefully folded it exactly as she had it before returning it to the bag and offering it back to Juliet. “I’m sorry, I can’t accept this.”
Her face fell, but she collected herself quickly and forced a smile. “I totally get it. Like I said, it was just?—”
“I stole from you,” I blurted. “That’s why I can’t accept it. I already felt awful and like the worst piece of trash, and then you’ve just been the absolute nicest. And that was before you offered me this dress that looks like it should be on a runway, not on me. I get it if I ruined our fledgling friendship, and I really am so sorry.”
Juliet’s brows pinched together. “What could you have stolen from me?”
“Well, not you specifically, but from the resort.” I bobbled my head back and forth. “Well, not the resort specifically, but a guy who was here.”
“Are you talking about the wallet?”
My shocked gaze swung to her. “You know about that?”
She flushed bright red. “No.”
Oh my God.
“Does everyone know?”
“No,” she tried.
At the same time, Marco said, “I know.”
“Not helping,” she snapped.
“I don’t lie.”
I was tempted to run again, but only to hide in the penthouse.
Juliet looked at me with kindness, which was expected, but also understanding. “There was footage, but it’s gone now. Completely. And I’m not mad. No one is.”
That made me want to run more, but I didn’t. I faced the awkwardness. It was my punishment.
“That’s—”
My words were cut off when Juliet leaned forward. “Before Maximo, my life was the opposite of”—she flung an arm out—“this. My father and I lived in a tiny house. I was a dropout. We basically only had each other, which really sucked for me because he was not a good man. We had food, but there were times when we didn’t have enough. I’ve experienced…” She paused to find the right word. “Inconvenient hunger, and it was awful. You had true hunger. I can’t even imagine what that was like.”
I swallowed hard and could almost feel that connection strengthening like it was a sentient thing.
That was before she added, “And we don’t have a fledgling friendship. We’re just friends. Period.” She paused for a second. “Though while we’re making confessions, you should know that I helped Ash order you more clothes so you wouldn’t have a closet of only my designs. I may have gone overboard, and then Ash added even more.”
Unease prickled inside my churning stomach.
Juliet studied me for a moment. “Is letting him buy you stuff a rule?” She raised her eyebrows with meaning.
“Yes.”
“That was a hard one for me to get used to.”
“How did you?”
“Because it makes him happy. And with everything he did for me, I wanted to make him happy however I could. And if that meant being selfless enough to accept jewelry and clothes and…” She gave a small laugh and shrugged. “It sounds stupid, but it helped.”
We were both quiet for a moment before I tried to hand the bag back to her. “I still don’t have anywhere worthy to wear a dress this beautiful.”
“Wear it on Friday.”
“Friday?”
“Didn’t Ash tell you about the boxing event? I figured with as much work as he’s been doing for it, he’d have mentioned it.”
“He did, but I’m not going. He’ll be working.”
“They all will. That doesn’t mean they can’t watch.”
“I still don’t think?—”
Marco cut in. “Ash said he was going to talk to you later, and you’re going.”
“Oh. Okay.” I knew nothing about boxing. I’d never watched it on TV or anything. But I was still excited—especially since it gave me an excuse to wear the dress.
We moved to lighter topics. That was usually the place I loved conversation to stay, but I wanted to talk more.
Speaking quietly, I asked, “That’s really how you grew up?”
“Yup.”
Rather than discussing more of the Daddy stuff like I thought we would, Juliet and I talked about our lives. First, about her physically abusive and neglectful father and how Maximo had saved her—though she didn’t share the specifics. Then, about my emotionally abusive and neglectful mother, my life as a child bandit, and why I’d gone on that poolside sprint.
And even though the topic was different, Ash was still right. It was nice to have someone to talk to who understood.
After a couple of hours Juliet asked, “Are you hungry?”
“Yes,” I said instead of doing what I’d usually do—pretend I wasn’t so I wouldn’t put anyone out.
“Me too, but I have no idea what I want. You?”
I thought for a second. “What were you saying about a cheese plate?”
Juliet smiled.
And she wasn’t the only one.
In the first sign of emotion since I’d gotten out there, Marco smiled, too.
Or maybe it was an involuntary twitch. I wasn’t totally sure.
Ash
It’d been a motherfucking day.
Between the billionaire who wanted to go through each line of his already itemized bill and the aging movie star who didn’t understand why he couldn’t do blow at the high roller poker table, I’d put out a hundred other fires. Everyone was finally as happy as I could possibly make them short of tucking them in, reading them a bedtime story, and kissing their foreheads.
I was done.
It was time to go get my sunshine.
Avoiding anyone who’d want to talk, I hurried to Moonlight’s French restaurant, Parisian Crescent.
It didn’t take me long to find Mila. I just followed the sound of her sweet laughter.
Sitting in a corner booth, she had a huge slice of cake in front of her.
Freddy likes her.
Juliet sat on the other with her own piece of cake. I didn’t need to be close to know it was funfetti. Freddy leaned on the table, telling them something they clearly found hilarious.
Marco stood near the table, and Elliot was a little farther away, giving the women space like I’d instructed. I walked over to check in with him and let him know he could take off for the day. Even though he’d been the one to volunteer for Mila duty that day, I asked, “You good?”
“Fine, why?”
“Just making sure you get that this isn’t a punishment or mandatory. I asked because Miles and Marco both said they trusted you.”
I wasn’t sure if the poor bastard had never received a compliment before, but he looked like he might cry.
“I’m happy to do it anytime, and I take it as an honor. I know it’s an important job you’re entrusting me with.”
That was an understatement since, to me, keeping Mila safe was the most important job.
He smiled. “Plus, it beats chasing away minors and dealing with drunken assholes.”
I clapped his shoulder as I continued walking.
The closer I got to the table, the more I focused on Freddy’s words and not just Mila’s reaction to them. “So you’ve got to picture it, chéri. Ash is in front of a room of VIPs. I’m talking politicians, diplomats, billionaire benefactors, athletes, movie stars, and the like. And the test tube shot he’d confiscated for that little snot-nose punk was in his front pocket. Somehow, the lid comes loose. Not enough to leak at once. It was a slow, steady stream?—”
“Okay, story time is over,” I cut in.
“Noooo.” Mila’s grin grew even wider when she saw me. But then she transferred that smile up to Freddy. “What happened next?”
And she likes him.
The damn pretty boy with that damn accent.
I was pretty sure he was laying the French-Creole on extra heavy when he said, “A different time. Otherwise, your man will ruin a good story with facts and accuracy.”
A new server I didn’t recognize came right over like she’d been hovering close to the important table. “Hi. Can I get you anything, or would you like a menu?”
“I’m good.” My gaze landed on Mila. “We’re leaving.”
Mila stabbed her fork toward her plate. “But I’ve finally got fancy cake.”
Like I wore a mask of normalcy, I let it slip so she could see the need that’d been haunting me all day. “Take it to go, sunshine.”
“I’ll take it to go.”
The server swiftly grabbed the plate and rushed away to box it up.
Marco put his hands in his pockets. “What’d she say her name is?”
Freddy’s cheek twitched. “She didn’t.”
“Callie,” Juliet filled in.
Marco nodded and waited a few beats before asking, “What’s her story?”
If he was going for casual, his dart wasn’t anywhere near the target. It seemed to be stabbed right in Freddy’s back if his scowl was any indication.
“No story. Leave my staff alone.” He softened his face and forced a smile at Mila and Juliet. “I need to get back into that kitchen before they butcher my recipes with truffle oil on everything. It was nice to finally meet you, Mila.”
“You, too. And thank you for the cake. It’s even better than Ash raved.”
Since Freddy knew I could—and had—knock off an entire one of his cakes myself, that was a glowing review. It was also the right thing to say to get on his good side because his ego was wrapped up in his culinary skills.
Mila and Juliet’s goodbye lasted longer than I would’ve preferred since I was anxious to get her alone, but I sucked it up. However good I’d hoped the day would go, it was obvious it’d gone better. When Mila finally stood, she grabbed a bag and clutched it to her.
Once we were out of the restaurant, I asked, “What’s in the bag?”
“A new dress from Juliet.”
“Can’t wait to see it.”
She smiled up at me, but there was an edge to it. Something wicked.
Once we were in the elevator, I pulled her to me and kissed her. Hard and deep and thorough until the bunched muscles between my shoulders loosened. When I was done, I watched her dazedly blink as her tongue swept out to lick across her bottom lip.
I’d have slammed the button to stop the elevator so I could fuck her right then and there if it weren’t for the fact Marco, Cole, Maximo, and Juliet might need to use it. I’d have done it anyway, but I didn’t want to leave it smelling like sex. That scent was only for me.
As the elevator slowed, I got a text.
Moonlight: Someone is in the lobby asking for you.
The doors opened to the lobby, and I didn’t have to scan to see who it was.
“Veronica?” Mila whispered.
Fuck.
“Mila, wait here,” I ordered when we stepped out, but she didn’t listen.
She hauled ass across the lobby.
I’m gonna spank your ass for that. Unless your bitch mother opens her mouth and ruins everything.
Fucking fuck.
Reaching Veronica, she quietly hissed, “What’re you doing here?”
“I came to see my daughter,” Veronica claimed as she gestured to me. “He told me you were attacked. I wanted to see if you were okay. I’ve been worried.”
Bullshit.
I hadn’t said a single thing about where I worked to Veronica, but I wasn’t exactly surprised she’d found out. Greed was a powerful motivator.
“I’m fine,” Mila said, her fretful eyes darting around the busy room. “You can go.”
“Camila Price, I didn’t raise you to be so disrespectful.”
Unlike when I used her full name, Mila frowned at her mother’s usage. It turned into a sneer at the rest of the sentence.
“You’re right, you didn’t raise me. Period. You were too busy?—”
Standing at her back, I wrapped an arm around her waist. Not to stop her. It was a show of support. A reminder she wasn’t alone.
Not anymore.
At the contact, her words cut off. She leaned into me and took a deep, shaky breath. “Look, I appreciate that you paid me back. And if you’re really here to check on me, I appreciate that, too. But I think you should leave.”
Veronica’s conniving gaze rose to me before returning to her daughter. She opened her mouth, but Mila didn’t give her the chance to speak.
Turning in my hold, she said, “I just remembered I forgot my cake.”
I looked to the side and crooked my fingers. One of the lobby guards came right over, and I released Mila. “Please escort Mila to Parisian Crescent.” I dropped my focus, making my next order to her. “There and right back.”
She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, and her head jerked to the side slightly. A silent plea. At my chin lift, her shoulders relaxed. “Thanks, Behemoth.”
That might’ve been what she said, but I heard the Daddy she meant.
Not giving a damn where we were or that her mother was there, I swatted her ass as she walked past.
A taste of what was to come.
When I returned my attention to Veronica, something ugly twisted on her pinched face as she watched the interaction. I didn’t give a shit about her opinion, and it showed that she had at least a few brain cells since she wasn’t idiotic enough to voice it.
“What’re you actually doing here?” I asked once Mila was out of earshot.
“I came to check on Mila.”
“Bullshit.”
“It’s true. We haven’t always gotten along, but she’s still my daughter.” She blinked up at me earnestly. “And hearing she was attacked scared me. I could’ve lost her. I want to fix things.”
I didn’t buy it. Not a second of it. And I didn’t hide that. “If that’s true, text her. Let her decide if she wants to talk to you. Don’t just show up again, or I’ll have you banned from here and half the places in Vegas.”
She opened her mouth, but I wasn’t done.
“But in the more likely scenario that you’ve seen she’s clawed far enough away from you to land in a good place, and you want some of that for yourself, you can fuck right the hell off. I won’t let you weasel your way back into Mila’s life just to use her. You’ve done that enough.”
I waited for her to lash out and blow up her act, but she didn’t. “Please tell her I’ll text her.” She began to walk toward the exit before turning around. “Oh, and FYI, I won’t tell her that you lied to her about me paying her.”
Not thank you for covering for me because I’m a shit mother.
Nope. Veronica made it seem like I owed her while also reminding me she had something on me.
It would’ve been impressive if it didn’t piss me off so much.
And part of the reason it pissed me off was because she was right. Mila would flip if she found out. I had enough half-truths and secrets on my conscience. Stuff I couldn’t share yet. I’d have to tell her about her mom’s debt.
Later.
Since I wanted Veronica gone before Mila got back, I didn’t respond.
Mila returned a couple of minutes later. She scanned the lobby, and even from a distance, I could see her relax. A hint of tension returned when her eyes landed on me, and she saw the look on my face.
Quickly closing the distance between us, she smiled and fluttered her lashes, the pretty picture of innocence. When that didn’t work, she lifted the container. “I have my cake. And I got a slice for you, too.”
“I’m still spanking your ass for not listening to me when I told you to wait near the elevator.”
She sighed. “I figured as much. But I had such a good day today, and then there Veronica was. Waiting to ruin it like she ruins everything.” That time when she smiled at me, it wasn’t fake. Putting her hands around my neck, she went up onto her toes while she tugged me down to kiss me. She didn’t let me go as she whispered, “Thank you for handling her so I didn’t have to, Daddy.”
Christ, she kills me.
I pressed my lips against her forehead. “Any-fucking-time.”
“Can you do me another favor?” she asked as we continued to the car.
I braced. “What?”
“When we get home, can you use the rope again? It makes me feel oddly calm.” She shot me a nasty look. “Until you take a FaceTime call, that is.”
I may have braced, but I hadn’t done it enough. For one, Mila asking to be tied was a helluva lot different from just letting me do it. For another, she’d called it home. Not your place or your house.
Home.
Which was why I repeated, “Any-fucking-time.”