We reach Alex’s room and the door is slightly ajar. I go to push it open and Conor puts his hand on my arm. “Let me go first,” he whispers.
I stand back from the door. Conor picks up a plant pot and raises it over his head. He pushes the door open quickly and runs inside screaming. I look at the trail of dirt on the floor that Conor has made.
“All clear, not a fucken sign of him anywhere,” he says.
I check all the drawers, all that remains are his clothes. There is no passport anywhere. It must be the guys from Vegas.
“Well, there is nothing to do in here, get room service to clean his room,” I say. “And where are Beau and Shona?”
“They are having a last look at the club before tonight, they are leaving tomorrow,” Conor explains.
I walk quickly toward the club. I see Beau and Shona walking from around the rear of the building. I put my fingers in my mouth and whistle loudly. It’s not the most lady-like thing to do, but it was one thing I had been good at since I was a small girl.
“What are you in such a hurry for?” Shona asks.
“Alex, he’s gone.”
Shona looks at me in a panic. “Don’t tell me he has run off to the god-damned casino,” she says.
I shake my head as I gasp for breath, my lungs feel like they are on fire. “That would be a blessing. He has been shipped off… back to Vegas in a black vehicle,” I say.
“Fuck, and we can’t do anything until after we fly back tomorrow,” Shona says.
“The worst thing is, we have no idea where he is.”
“Yeah, and I don’t really know anyone that he was close to that we can contact. Shit,” Shona says.
“I know this is a big thing to ask, especially since you already asked me to hold the cash, but would you mind if I flew to Vegas?”
“Brooke, we can’t stop you, it’s not as if you work for us,” Shona says.
“I know that, but you trusted me with something and I just wanted to ask first,” I say.
“Of course you can, are you okay? You know for cash or stuff?” Beau says.
“Yes, I have more than enough to last me,” I say.
“When will you go?” Shona asks.
“I might be able to get one this evening, or in the middle of the night at least,” I say.
“Have a look and let us know, and we will need a contact number for you,” Shona says.
“Of course, no problem.” I reply, feeling worried.
“Beau, do you know anyone who can help Brooke in Vegas?” Shona asks.
“I don’t know anyone, maybe Ty knows someone who can help. I will call him in a while,” Beau says.
I smile at Shona and Beau, “I would appreciate that, there are a few too many lights for me there,” I say.
“I know there are definitely too many lights there for Alex, that’s why he is in such a mess,” Shona says.
“Not for long, we will be able to save him soon,” I say. “Hopefully.”
I turn and begin walking back up the field with Shona and Beau.
“Don’t forget, we are here if you need anything, and Beau will let you know about Ty,” Shona says.
We exchange phone numbers. I walk quickly up the field to the hotel. The sun has gone past its highest point, so it will not be long before it starts dropping.
“God Alex, why did you get yourself into all this mess?”
I get back to my room and wash my face with cold water. I hit the air con, turning it on, and get my laptop from my bag. I sit there fumbling with my new silver cross… praying as I wait for the laptop to start.
“Please, God, make sure Alex is safe,” I find myself praying.
I was less sure now that praying worked, than I was before. Only now, I was hoping that it did work, and it would help, even if it was a small help.
I wasn’t sure if it was the praying or rubbing the cross that did it, but the only flight for later was one that had been delayed for three hours. I quickly check with the airline; if I can get there within the next two hours, I can still get on the flight.
I grab the bag of money and pack a few things into my backpack and head out the door. I head toward the reception and can see Beau who is just putting his phone away. Shona comes walking from the bathroom and smiles.
“You’ve managed to get a flight?” she asks.
“Yes, there is one flight that should have left just after three, and it’s been delayed due to a check-in problem. If I get there within two hours I can make it,” I say.
“I think someone is definitely out to help you,” Beau says.
“Why is that?” I ask.
“I forgot about one person who both Ty and Joseph know, they have moved back to Vegas,” Beau says.
“Who’s that?” Shona asks, puzzled.
“You remember Bell?” Beau asks.
“I do remember her, she had a bit of a crush on Joseph… and Stacey,” Shona says.
“Who is Bell?” I ask.
“She is probably the best person to look after you,” Shona says.
“Is she a cop or something like that?”
“She was undercover in a bike gang, so she knows her way around the streets.”
“How will I recognize her?”
Shona looks at me. “I will text you her number, then just look out for the hottest girl you can see with jet black hair.” Shona puts her hand on my shoulder. “Don’t worry, within a few days we will have you and Alex back here and it will all seem like a bad dream.”
“Shona, I do hope you are right.”
“I know I am.”
“It’s not possible, how can a person just vanish?”
Alex
“Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.”
I had the thought deep in my mind. From the very first time I had met Ronny and Mikey, I thought Ronny was a bit of a cunt. I think the guy that was groaning every time Ronny hit him had the same thought.
Mikey was just a bit of a bastard, and in a way, I quite liked Mikey. I mean, he was somewhat more vocal than Ronny, but you could nearly have a conversation with him while he was busy whacking your fingers with a hammer. Mikey wasn’t really bothered if you called him a motherfucker or anything else, he just wanted his money back.
I sit there contemplating all of it, and everything as far as I could think of, rested on Beau coming up trumps and getting the money to Mikey before he tired of his friendly chats, and passed me over to Ronny.
I had been busy flexing my fingers, especially the black ones. These had turned a shade of purple and black over the past few hours. Mikey had kindly reminded me of the debt that I owed them.
I look up, and Mikey comes walking toward me. I was surprised not to see a hammer in his hand, and it might also mean that Ronny was my next conversation partner. I saw something in Mikey’s hand that just totally confused the hell out of me.
Mikey was carrying a bag of frozen peas. I was sure that was not for his dinner. Mikey was carrying a few extra pounds, and I didn’t think he was a frozen pea kind of guy.
“Alex, I have a little job for you. Well, I may have a couple of jobs for you,” he says.
Mikey sidles up in front of me and slams the frozen peas onto my blackened fingers.
“What do you want?” I ask.
I feel the water running down my hand as the peas start thawing out. “There is a card game going on, there are some rich fucking Russians in town who want to sample the best,” Mikey says.
“And what do you want me to do?”
“Alex, you’re going to fucking clean them out, that is what you are going to do,” Mikey says.
“Well, I don’t have any money to use,” I reply.
“That is why you will be using my money… the only downside is, you better fucking win,” he says.
Dear God, I wish Brooke was here with me.
“What happens if I end up losing?”
“Not going to happen, you will do everything you know how to do, to make sure you win,�
�� Mikey explains.
“What is it worth to me?”
Mikey laughs. “You can keep the fucking peas.”
“There has to be something more,” I say.
“The only thing you need right now is time. I will add the time you are playing on top of the forty-eight hours. How does that sound?”
I wriggle my fingers under the bag of peas. “Mikey. It sounds better than nothing.”
Mikey leans forward and slaps me gently on the cheek. “That is why I fucken like you so much, you are understanding. Not like that cunt, Ronny.” And there it is, straight from the horse's mouth, even Mikey thinks Ronny is a cunt.
“What time is the game?”
“It starts at ten,” Mikey says.
“What time is it now?” I have to get my fingers working and freshen up,” I say.
“A little after eight. Now if I let you free, you won’t try and run away, will you?”
“Mikey, you found me in Jamaica, where the fuck could I hide in Vegas?” I reply, giving a half-smile.
“Keep thinking like that and I might not hit you again.” Mikey pulls the ropes from my wrists.
I contemplate rubbing my wrists where the ropes had burned into the skin. I take the other option and rub my sore fingers. If Mikey wants me to play, I need my tools to be working to the best of their ability.
There was also the subject of pressure. Now, I was not just playing to win with my own money. Fuck, I was playing to win with Mikey’s money, and I was sure if I lost, he would somehow find a way to add it to my debt. Or maybe Ronny would kill me.
“Make sure you are back here for nine forty-five,” Mikey says.
“I thought the game started at ten?”
“It does.”
“We won’t be there on time,” I say.
“We will. The game is here,” Mikey explains.
I walk to the door of the warehouse. I slowly push open the door and step into the Las Vegas air. I can almost smell the money, but unfortunately, none of it is mine.
Just under two hours to get myself fresh and in the zone. I have no apartment, just one or two numbers on my phone. Most of them would not be happy to hear my voice. Maybe just one who can help me? Brent.
I scroll through the contacts. Only two names under “Br.” Brent is the first, and Brooke is the second. It’s an easy choice to make. Brooke is just too far away.
“Brent, how are you doing?”
“Fuck me, that is a blast from the past, where have you been hiding?” he replies.
“It’s a long story. Are you at home?”
“Yeah, I was on the early shift,” he says.
“Can I come ‘round for a couple of hours, I have to freshen up,” I say.
“Course you can, you know that.”
“I hate to ask, but do you have any spare cash for the cab?”
“Same old Alex, just knock on the door when you get here,” Brent says.
“I will see you in about ten minutes.”
I cut the call and hail a cab. Brent actually lived within walking distance from Mikey’s warehouse, but not tonight. I had to get there, get my shit together and get back in winning form.
The cab slows and I climb into the back. I give the cabbie the address of the apartment where Brent lives and then close my eyes. It may be a short distance, but the thoughts of Brooke that fill my mind are quite intense. From the first time I’d held her in my arms… to the magical time we had spent in Lovers Cove.
I had the choice of women in Vegas, or I did, before I was in trouble. There are not many girls who are keen on looking over their shoulders, especially on a date.
The cab arrives at Brent’s apartment. I run to the door and give a loud knock. He walks to the cab and leans through the side window to pay the cabbie.
Brent turns to look at me. “What time does your game start?”
“Ten, but I have to be back for nine forty-five,” I reply.
I hear Brent ask the cabbie to be back here for nine-thirty at the latest. Brent was a good help, especially with the cards. He was one of the top dealers on the strip and filled my head full of useful tips of what to watch for and how a dealer can influence a game.
A lot of people called it cheating, but a subtle switch of a card was more like influencing the result rather than full-on cheating. That was the way we had looked at it when I had played on Brent’s table. I’d done that on more than a few occasions.
I could have done with Brent at the table tonight. A little bit of influencing would help me.
“What mess are you in?” Brent asks.
I slump on the couch and sigh. “Over three hundred to Mikey,” I reply, ashamed.
“What happened? I thought you were on a roll?” he asks.
“So did I. I think I got stung somewhere and missed it,” I say.
“How the hell are you going to get out of that mess?”
“My cousin and her super rich boyfriend are going to bail me out,” I explain.
“You know Mikey and that cunt Ronny won’t just settle for their money back,” Brent says. “They will want their pound of flesh.”
“I have a plan; lady luck will be on my side.”
“Fuck man, I think you’re fucked, either way.”
“Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.”
Brooke
“You can travel for a full day and find you are still no further forward.”
From now until then, there was not much I could do but get some rest and think about how I could actually help Alex once I finally arrived in Vegas.
I had my head firmly pushed against the window as the plane took off. I half-watched the stewardesses running through their mime routine of safety procedures, but my mind was not in the mood for paying much attention. All I could see was a person standing with a life vest around their neck and pretending to blow up the vest manually.
They must have done it a thousand times before, and what better place to do something on auto-pilot than on a plane.
We finally take off, and I watch paradise vanish as the plane climbs and turns. The sky is turning a dark orange as it climbs. I spend the next ten to fifteen minutes trying to do the obligatory thing; trying to get comfortable for the few hours that my ass would be firmly planted in a seat that is nearly impossible to get comfortable in. I do what any person would do in that situation. I drift off to sleep.
It is only when the “Bing, bing” of the fasten seatbelts sound comes on that I wake. We are coming in to land at Miami. I finally have a chance to stretch my legs as we change planes.
Like cattle, we are herded to the next gate and join the other passengers who are also making this leg of the flight. I can see the view outside is nowhere near as nice as the view from my hotel room.
For one thing, there is no Alex to come walking around the corner to send shivers of anticipation through my body. All I can see are guys wearing yellow fluorescent vests, shoving suitcases back onto the cart where they had fallen off.
Just another five hours to go and I would be in Vegas, just before dinner. I sit in the departure lounge and wait for the opportunity to board. I text Bell before I have to turn off my cell phone again. I message her and tell her of the delays, and ask if she can meet me at the airport by the time we finally arrive.
We slowly march down the ramp. Everyone is walking holding their boarding cards ready, it is slow going and I am becoming impatient.
A window seat again. This time though, the seat is nowhere near as comfortable. Short-haul flights are like cattle trucks compared to long haul flights.
With no delays with this flight, we manage to depart on time. I feel lucky, there are no passengers in my row, so I do the best I can and curl up in a ball and cover the three seats.
I wished I had taken the blanket from the first flight, that would have been nice, but my jacket would have to do. The only problem was, it is nowhere big enough to cover my feet, and my shoulders… no matter how small I curl up.
&nbs
p; This is not a flight you sleep on, so I just close my eyes and think of a plan, well, it isn’t really a plan. I have no idea what I am going to do apart from meet Bell.
What happens if she is not there to meet me, then what do I do?
I hadn’t thought of that, and now I have a few hours to think about it. I would have to find a hotel and then (somehow) come up with an idea of what I was going to do.
How do you find a gambling addict in the middle of Las Vegas? The place is full of them. There is no way I could just walk around all of the casinos hoping to find some trail of Alex, or someone who knows him. That would be nearly impossible, and if I asked around, it would become obvious, to whoever the guys are that shoved Alex into the car. Obvious I was looking for him.
The plane levels at cruising altitude. I wasn’t sure being any higher up than being on the ground helped, but I rubbed my silver cross and prayed. Does an extra thirty-six thousand feet make a difference when you are praying?
The plane finally lands. This time I had avoided cramp. I waited for all the eager travelers to grab their things and then I join the line of people to get off the plane.
The immigration desk gets closer. Nothing to declare, or things to declare. I laugh at my thought, does a huge crush on Alex count as something to declare?
I walk past the conveyor belt; the cases slowly appear from the hole in the wall. No case for me, just the backpack that was slung over my shoulder.
Now, I had to walk out of the gate and as Shona had said, “Look for the hottest girl with black jet hair I could see.”
I see a few guys holding cards with people names on, and I am sure that Bell will not be holding a card with my name on it. A hand suddenly falls on my shoulder. I turn, and I do a quick double-take. “Bell?” I ask
“Yeah, and you must be Brooke?” Bell says.
“How did you know it was me?” I ask.
“Shona told me to look for a hot girl with dark hair,” she says chuckling.
I start to laugh. “What is so funny?” Bell asks.
“That’s what she told me, too,” I reply.
“Shona also said, you needed some help to try and find your boyfriend,” Bell says.
Fantasy Friday (The Billionaires Temptations Book 5) Page 10