Chapter 8
Sawyer
By the time we pulled up to Cashville, the evening rush was in full effect. There were valets and a line of cars out front, moving and unloading as efficiently as they could, from what I could tell. I loved to see it.
The rapper Supreme was starting his residency where he would do two shows a week for two months.
There seemed to be a lot of buzz around it, and room blocks were booked up for weeks.
More business was a good thing, but more people moving around the casino meant that I had to be more alert than ever.
I needed to bring on a few new people, but I wasn’t in the mood to interview anyone.
In this business, you could never be too careful about who you let in behind the scenes.
I almost laughed out loud as I passed the front entrance and drove to my reserved parking spot under the hotel side.
Here I was with a woman whose real name that I didn’t know, and I was thinking about security.
I had pretty good instincts. Nothing about Z told me that I couldn’t trust her.
She was scared, not dangerous. If I didn’t think that was true, it was even more apparent as she stared straight ahead with her hands in her lap like she was waiting for something to pop out and get her.
“You don’t have to be afraid, mama. I got you.”
“That’s easy for you to say. I’m terrified.”
“Of me? Look, I really didn’t know that you had never had sex before.
I would have never pushed like that if I had known.
I’m not going to do anything to you. I have a private room set up for you.
I’m not trying to push you into anything you aren’t comfortable with, but you’ll be safe here. I won’t even come to your room.”
Her nervous laugh wasn’t as reassuring as she thought it would be.
“I’m not afraid of you, Sawyer. I’m just afraid of what the future holds for me. I can only hide out here for so long.”
“I beg to differ. I’ve been hiding out here for years.”
She shifted in her seat until her eyes were on me.
“What are you hiding from?”
I shrugged. “Life.”
“I’m not sure if you’re able to hide from life.”
“Isn’t that what you’re trying to do?” I asked, tilting my head to wait for her response.
“Touché, Mr. Ash.”
The left corner of my mouth lifted. “I don’t remember telling you my last name.”
“You didn’t. The nurse came in and told me that my fiancé, Mr. Ash, wanted to see me. I almost blew your cover because I didn’t know who the hell she was talking about.”
“Well, it’s nice to meet you Ms.—” I paused to let her fill in the blank.
“Z Bonner.”
“I have the feeling that’s not who you are, but like I said, I won’t push. Just promise me you will tell me when the time is right. I need to know who I’m protecting.”
“I will. I just need to know I can trust you.”
“I have no problem with working to earn your trust. I need to know that I can trust you too.”
“I promise I’m not up to anything shady. I just don’t feel safe going back out into the world. I really appreciate you helping me out. I don’t think I could say that enough. You really don’t have to do this.”
“Do what?”
“Everything, Sawyer. You’re letting me stay here, helping me get a job.” She paused before looking down at her folded hands. “You saved my life. I didn’t even think I was worth saving, but I thank you for understanding the assignment.”
“Look at me,” I said, covering her hands with mine. “You’re more than worth it.”
“Thank you for saying that.”
“You’re welcome, mama. You ready?”
“I don’t even know what to expect.”
“Expect to do whatever you want to do. I told you that you don’t even have to work. Just enjoy the place, see a show, place a few bets, and please go down and check out the spa. I’ll make sure you have plenty of vouchers.”
“OK.” She nodded.
“Do whatever you want around here, within reason, and know that I’m looking out for you, even when you don’t think I’m looking out for you.”
“Thank you again, Sawyer. Now I have to get used to making my own decisions. I’ve never gotten to just decide what I want to do. Most things are decided for me, aside from my job anyway.”
“What did you do?”
“I worked for a tailor as a seamstress. I have a degree in hospitality. My dad thought it would be good for business. I use it to set up events and plan things for him.”
“Word?”
I immediately thought about the position that was left vacant when we got rid of Darius.
So far, Nicholas and Reed had been ping-ponging his tasks.
Z’s pretty ass would be perfect for the job, especially dealing with bullheaded men and their demands.
If it weren’t for her trying to hide, I would have offered her the job on the spot.
I knew it wasn’t a good time for her to be in the forefront, so there was no use in me even bringing it up.
“This might seem hard, but we will take it one day at a time. How about that?”
“OK. One question, though. When do I start working? I need something to occupy my mind.”
“Give yourself a day or two or a week to rest. I’ll let the laundry department know to expect you in a few days.
I figure since it’s located on the back side of the elevators on the basement floor, you won’t have to see anyone you don’t want to run into by being out in one of the restaurants or show rooms.”
“Makes sense. Plus, I’m used to working with clothes. It shouldn’t be too hard.”
“Good. You ready?”
She grabbed my arm to stop me before I could open the door. “One more question, boss.”
I chuckled as I settled back in my seat. “I’m not your boss.”
“Is it too late to discuss my salary? I’m perfectly fine with working for room and board, but since I’m starting over, I’ll need to buy a lot of stuff in the near future. Eventually, I would want to move out of here.”
“I get it. Room and board are complementary. Our staff is compensated fairly, but I’ll get the paperwork together for that department.”
“OK,” she said, finally reaching over to open her door.
“Z, if you open that door, I will tear your ass up.”
Her eyes bugged as she whipped her head over to look at me. “What?”
“I’m not gon’ put my hands on you, ever, but I got something for your ass if you open that damn door. I don’t allow women to open their own door in my presence. Have you opened a door since we met?”
She squinted as she seemed to ponder my question. “Now that you mention it, I haven’t.”
“Don’t think you’re going to start now. Especially now that I know what I know.”
She rolled her eyes playfully but placed her hands back in her lap. “Yes, sir.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
Although there were only a few of us with access to the underground parking deck, I scanned the lot as I got out of the car and walked around to open Z’s door.
I reached for her hand and helped her out of the car.
I couldn’t miss the way she clung to me as we moved to the private entrance.
It felt good that she trusted me to keep her safe.
As long as I was around, she didn’t have a thing in the world to worry about.
As we walked toward the door, she stumbled, tripping on my feet. I put my hand on her to steady her.
“Sorry. I’m walking so close to you I’m about to trip both of us,” she said, putting some distance between us.
“You don’t have to apologize. I like having you under me,” I told her, scanning my hand to let us into the building.
She grinned. “Why do I feel like that has a double meaning?”
“Because it does.” I winked.
“Then why are you making me stay here at the hotel instead of with you?”
“I feel like with everything you’re going through, you need a little space. I don’t want you to feel obligated to me or to do anything you’re not comfortable with just because I’m helping you. Besides, I stay here most of the time anyway. I’m not leaving you, mama. I wouldn’t dare.”
Once again, I scanned my hand, letting us onto the executive elevator.
“Let me find out you’re married to your career.”
“Oh, I thought that was already apparent.”
“Thank you for that, too, I guess. That means you won’t be too far if I need you.”
We stepped off the elevator on the floor right below the penthouse suites.
There was executive housing for those of us who didn’t want to go home.
Like I’d told Z in the elevator, I had pretty much taken up permanent residence here.
There were six suites. Three of them were empty since one was mine.
Chris and one of the high roller dealers occupied the others.
I pulled out my wallet and removed my universal key card to let us in the room.
When the door crept open, I let Z walk in, in front of me.
I felt like it was a pretty good setup. There was a cozy living room, a full kitchen complete with a stove, refrigerator, and microwave, and of course a bedroom with a king-sized bed.
Fresh pink-and-white flowers sat on the dining table, thanks to my message to the head of housekeeping.
I watched as Z walked into the room ahead of me slowly.
“This is my room?” she asked, looking at me over her shoulder.
“Yeah, is it OK? I tried to get them to make it as homey as possible.”
“I love it, Sawyer,” she said, rushing over and throwing her arms around me. “I expected to keep the room I had, and I would have been perfectly fine staying right where I was before.”
I kissed the top of her head. She looked up at me with a bright smile, and I couldn’t help but dip my head and taste her soft lips.
I didn’t want her to feel like I thought she owed me anything, so I pulled back so she couldn’t feel how hard my dick was getting from her pillowy titties being pressed into my chest. She turned around and moved over to the table where the bouquet of flowers were.
“These lilies are beautiful.” I watched as she plucked the card from the plastic stem and read it quietly. The words ‘welcome home, Z’ were scribbled on the card as she held it up for me to read. “You did this, Sawyer?”
“I wanted it to feel like home. I decided not to ask your favorite flower since I wanted it to be a surprise.”
“I don’t know if I have a favorite flower, but I love lilies.”
“I’m glad you like them.”
“I love it. Believe it or not, I’ve never had my own place. I even commuted to college.”
“So you’ve always lived with your parents?” I quizzed.
She nodded. “My whole damn life. It feels so freeing to just be here and not have to worry about anyone listening or watching my every move.”
Damn. Z was damn near thirty years old, and she had never lived on her own. I loved living alone. Even being at Cashville, I lived alone. It wasn’t missed on me that she mentioned being under constant surveillance. That reminded me of my own life. Well, my former life.
Being a male member of the family gave me freedom that none of my female cousins were afforded. Who the hell was she? Her family had to be mafia, but she wasn’t from anywhere around here. I knew she wasn’t ready to talk, so I didn’t push the issue.
“I know you’ve had a long couple of days, so I’ll let you rest.”
“You’re leaving?” she asked, turning to me with wide eyes.
The look on her face made me want to give her anything her heart desired.
Still, I knew she needed some space to process everything.
Then again, I was almost afraid to leave her alone.
I’d given those pills to the paramedics, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t figure out a way to harm herself if she wanted to.
I didn’t want her making any more rash decisions, even though she’d promised that she was fine.
Saying she was fine didn’t mean anything if she was determined to hurt herself.
“Are you OK with being alone right now? I can stay if I need to. I just wanted to go take a shower and check in with my team.”
“I’m fine. I just thought you were staying.”
“I’ll be back later. Let’s have dinner together. We can order in. How does that sound?”
“OK.” She nodded quickly as she plopped down on the couch.
“I had Denise order you some clothes so you didn’t have to worry about that. They should be in the closet.”
“What?”
I didn’t respond before turning for the door, because I was sure she heard me.
“I’ll see you around seven, mama. Try to get some real rest.”