14. Scarlet
SCARLET
The closer we came to Las Vegas, the clearer and more vivid the memories became. “You’re mine, and nobody touches what’s mine!” Memories I had worked hard to lock behind a heavy door. The screaming. The threats.
Dominic was good at hurting me where it wouldn’t show, but there were times when he didn’t care. The days I’d spent endless minutes gently dabbing makeup over my bruises.
And I was going back there? My stomach clenched before I asked, “You’re sure this is okay?”
Grayson’s soft grunt didn’t inspire confidence. “Honestly? I’m not sure of anything right now.”
It’s not the answer I wanted to hear, but at least he was being honest. At a time like this, the last thing I needed was empty assurances. I had to know the truth, if only so I knew how to prepare for whatever was before me.
At the moment, sitting in the passenger seat of the Lexus, what waited in front of me was the presidential suite of one of Vaughn Eastman’s hotels, sitting on top of his casino.
The other casino used to belong to his father-in-law, who, according to Grayson, was about to go on trial for a lot of bad things.
I vaguely remembered hearing some of the grim details on the news.
Grayson must have noticed how I couldn’t stop biting my nails—they were chewed down to the quick by the time our seven-hour drive drew to a close—because he sighed when I did it again.
“It’ll be fine. Vaughn has hosted high-profile guests with fairly demanding security requirements.
I should know. I provided the security. I’ve already upped their presence throughout the casino at his request, and I will put a few more guys in the hotel to boost your protection. Everything is under control.”
Somebody needed to tell that to his jaw clenched tight enough to crack a walnut.
I gazed out the window, working on regulating my breathing as panic clawed at the edges of my calm.
I will be safe at the casino. Experience told me how thorough security would be in a place like that, and any place owned by a friend of Grayson’s would be especially secure.
He would want to take care of the people in his life. It was sort of his thing.
“And you promise you’ll keep me posted all the time?” It wasn’t until I asked that I understood how much it meant to be in contact with him. After more than a week of being in each other's faces, his absence would be hard to deal with.
“Don’t worry,” he assured me with a brief, tight grin. “If anything changes, you’ll be the first to know.”
That wasn’t exactly what I meant. It wasn’t so much that I wanted updates.
I wanted him. All the reassurances in the world wouldn’t mean anything if I didn’t have Grayson with me, but I couldn’t find the words to tell him.
I didn’t even know if I should. All I could do was sit there quietly, wishing I was brave enough.
Once we reached the city with the familiar stretch of landmarks spreading out in front of us as we approached the Strip, the nervous nausea that had threatened me ever since we left Lake Tahoe decided to double down and left me gripping my seat with both hands as I fought to hold it back.
“Take it easy,” Grayson murmured, his hand closed over my knee. “You’ll be just fine. Vaughn has the suite ready for you. All you have to do is sit tight for a while. You could do a hell of a lot worse than this.”
He was right. I knew it, but somehow, that didn’t make things any easier because he would be out there somewhere, doing whatever it took to put an end to this.
I didn’t know what that might look like.
I only knew with complete certainty that Dominic would not give up without a fight.
It was a matter of pride and ego. I had insulted him by leaving.
What had I ever seen in him?
Why couldn’t I have figured him out from the beginning?
It wasn’t only my life at stake now.
“You’re not coming with me?” I asked once we pulled around behind the building to the service entrance.
Two men already waited by the door, nodding in greeting when Grayson jerked his chin.
One of them opened my door before they both took my bags from the trunk, carrying them like they weighed nothing.
Grayson shook his head. “I have business to handle, but I’ll find a way to see you. For now, go upstairs, relax, order room service. Whatever you want, it’s yours.”
If I could get what I wanted, he would get out of the car with me, come upstairs, and stay.
But the last thing he needed was me hanging on him.
He had things to do, important things, and my life sort of depended on it. A quick, determined breath helped me stop trembling so much before I whispered, “Just call me, please?”
“I will.” His brows pulled together, faint lines creasing his forehead, and for a moment, I thought I saw something close to regret in his eyes.
His lips pressed into a thin line, almost like he wanted to speak but thought better of it.
The weight of it all hung there, just barely visible in the tight set of his jaw and the way his gaze flickered past me like he couldn’t quite face me.
Or maybe it was just my imagination. I wanted to flatter myself into thinking he looked regretful, but really, he was probably just hoping I would get the hell out of the car and stop bothering him.
And that was what I did, dragging my heavy feet as I followed his guys through the door and down the hall leading to an elevator.
It was time to start counting the minutes until I heard Grayson’s voice again. Hope was the only thing that kept me from crying as the elevator car rose.
“Remember,” one of the guards told me on our way up. “No one accesses this floor without a passkey for the elevator. And there will always be someone outside the door. You’re completely safe.”
I reminded myself of that once I entered the spacious, sun-drenched suite, that I was safe.
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the Strip, and I knew the view would be spectacular once night fell.
A large, sunken living area featured sleek furniture, a huge television, and a fireplace.
Beyond that was a large kitchen full of sparkling stainless-steel appliances, a dining room, a study, and even a small gym.
There were two regular-sized bedrooms, but the master suite was truly spectacular.
The en suite bathroom was more like a spa with a whirlpool tub, a steam shower with an elaborate system of jets and controls, heated floors—the works.
And all I had to do was sit around here and enjoy myself while Grayson worked to save my life. No big deal.
Considering the shape I was in, the last thing I should have felt like doing was sleeping, but the sudden drop of adrenaline left me drained.
I had gone from waking up this morning feeling nervous to face Grayson after last night to being told I would start a new life on the other side of the country.
Now, I was in the lap of luxury, wondering what the hell would happen next.
A nap seemed like the only logical step.
Sinking into the soft bed with its mountain of pillows was like floating on a cloud.
I didn’t expect to drop right off, but the next thing I knew, I was opening my eyes and wondering where the hell I was.
Somewhere along the line, the sun had gone down.
I had slept for hours and was now disoriented, wondering what day it was, the way long midday naps tended to do.
A knock on the suite door told me what had woken me up.
I hopped out of bed and jogged out there, a little shaky with nerves.
One of my guards checking in? Peering through the peephole gave me a view of a pretty young woman with jet-black hair who chatted quietly with the guard on duty standing beside her.
It had to be somebody he considered safe, which was good enough for me.
Sure enough, when I opened the door, she introduced herself. “My name is Nova Mancini. It’s good to meet you.” She had a firm handshake and kind smile that immediately put me at ease. “I’m Vaughn’s wife.”
“Oh my gosh. Please, come in.” That was kind of unnecessary, considering I was in her hotel.
I stepped aside so she could stride slowly into the suite.
Her fitted suit and shining blowout made me feel like a slob in my leggings and oversized tee.
When was the last time I had a haircut, much less a blowout?
“How has everything been for you today?” she asked.
“Do you need anything? Don’t hesitate to ask for whatever it is. It’s yours.”
Funny, Grayson had also said that. “The suite is absolutely gorgeous and so comfortable. I am so grateful.”
“Vaughn and I both owe Grayson a lot. This is the least we can do.” With a gentle smirk, she lowered her brow. “How are you really feeling, though?”
She gave me a tiny nod of encouragement that unlocked my heart. It was a refreshing change to have a girl to talk to. “I’m worried.” Sitting on the sofa, I tucked my legs under me while she sat at the other end. “I feel like I should be doing something, but I don’t know what.”
Her thumb played with the diamond ring on her left hand, which she rotated as she quietly mused.
“I’ve sort of been in a similar position to where you are now.
Waiting around is the hardest thing in the world, isn’t it?
When there’s something so important going on, and there’s nothing you can do to help. ”
“Yes!” I agreed with a sigh.
“But I can tell you that is the best thing you can do… sitting and waiting someplace safe. He’s doing whatever it takes right now to get things under control.
Waiting is not something I like to do,” she added with a grimace.
“But it’s important. If he knows you’re here, with us, he can focus on whatever it is he needs to do. ”
I saw her point. “Do you know the specifics?”