Blackout: A Romance Anthology

by Stephanie St. Klaire

  “Who’s Jason again? I think I love him right now,” Carrie says as she tries to pour her coffee without standing up.

  “It’s the guy from across the hall,” Sarah speaks up before I can say anything. “He’s definitely got something for our girl here.” She reaches for a pastry, taking a big bite with a shit-eating grin on her face.

  “Anybody who sends me coffee and sugar in the morning has my approval to marry my sister,” Sam says as she climbs out of bed.

  “Nice. Glad to know I can be sold off with just a gift of some dark liquid.”

  “Um, no. This is liquid gold. I wouldn’t give you away for just anything,” she teases as she sits back down with her back up against the headboard.

  After I have enough liquid courage to get out of bed, shower, and get dressed, I sneak away to try to thank Jason for the coffee.

  I knock on his door, and when I think I hear something, I straighten up, imagining him seeing me through the peephole, but seconds go by, and nothing happens. I knock one more time before turning and heading back into my room, thinking I must have been mistaken when I heard someone.

  I’ll have to catch him when we come back because we have a day of sightseeing planned before the concert tonight.

  We start off with a greasy meal to soak up the last of the alcohol before heading to The Mob Museum. I had no clue this place existed, but when Sarah suggested it, we all thought it’d be fun, especially with a replica 1920s speakeasy in the basement.

  After reading bio after bio of men who terrorized their communities, I’m freaked out and fascinated at the same time. The things these men did—and got away with—would blow your mind.

  I try to put myself in those times, imagining what it would be like to be a woman in their circle, and it gives me goose bumps. Did they know what the men in their lives were doing? Were they there of their own will, or were they too scared to leave?

  I don’t think I could be with a man, knowing he tortured and killed people. And even the ones who didn’t were into some really dirty things, stealing or demanding money from people. When I hear real conversations between mobsters that the FBI taped, my stomach turns, and I move on. Not wanting to listen anymore.

  The exhibit discussing organized crime occurring in today’s society makes me pause. I had no idea things like this still happened. I notice the coin that has become the face of Bitcoin, and I head toward it, wanting to know what Bitcoin has to do with organized crime.

  Reading of how people are able to hack their way through political systems and virtual currency for money laundering blows my mind. I’m so not in the loop about this kind of stuff.

  It’s terrifying to think what these hackers can do and how they don’t even need to do it in person anymore. Anyone from anywhere can take down our civilization, all from the comfort of their own home, sitting behind a computer screen.

  “Okay, this is all amazing, but I’m ready for a drink,” Carrie says.

  I nod. “Me, too. This is kind of giving me the creeps. But I can’t seem to stop wanting to know more.”

  “To the speakeasy,” Sam yells, motioning her arms toward the stairs leading down.

  Where upstairs is full of exhibits and things that some would rather forget from our history, the basement is full of good times for all. Photos of the swinging ’20s with flapper girls and moonshine brighten up our moods.

  The drink menu is lined with names for custom drinks like Giggle Water, Bee’s Knees, and Hanky-Panky, which add to the historical feeling.

  “Ooh, give me some Hanky-Panky,” Sam says with a sway to her hips.

  The bartender nods, and I hold my hand up with four fingers, wiggling them so that I don’t have to yell over the loud jazz music to order our drinks.

  Carrie grabs me by surprise and swings me around, starting our own version of swing dancing. She pulls me close before pushing me out and twirling me around. I go a few more feet into the speakeasy, stopping my spinning short when a man sitting in the corner by himself catches my eye.

  Jason.

  I turn back to the girls with my eyes wide, and they all smile when they see what I see.

  Reaching for my drink, Sarah hands it to me and then motions for me to go say hi while they all take a seat at a side table.

  “Now, I’d say you’re following me, but I get the feeling you’ve been sitting here awhile.” I motion to his almost-empty bottle as I step up beside him, taking a sip from my straw.

  My presence obviously catches him off guard, and he jumps slightly, almost knocking his drink over.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you,” I say, just as surprised to see his reaction.

  Something seems off, but he’s quick to wipe his expression.

  “No. It’s fine. I just didn’t expect to know anyone here,” he says, making my smile fade slightly. He must notice because he’s quick to add, “But I’m glad I do. Have a seat.”

  I pull the barstool out and take a seat. “So, do you come here often?” I ask as I take another sip of my drink, trying to be serious.

  “That’s what you’re leading with?” He’s quick to respond, and I laugh out loud.

  “Thank you for the coffee this morning. You made a few girls over there very happy. They were ready to marry me off to you as their thank-you.” I instantly regret the words.

  Oh, great. Good job, Gemma. Just want a man wants to hear from a strange girl. I mentally kick myself for not thinking before I speak.

  Thankfully, instead of being freaked out by me even mentioning marriage, he grins, saying, “You’re welcome. I figured you’d need it after I saw you in the hallway last night.”

  I tuck my head to my chest. “Yeah … about that …”

  He laughs. “Don’t worry about it. I could tell you all had a little too much to drink.”

  I let out a slight laugh, glad he’s letting me off the hook so easily. “What about you? Didn’t you have a late night, too?”

  He inhales a deep breath. “Very late,” he says, spinning the bottle in his hand while staring into it.

  “What kind of shenanigans did you get into last night then?” I ask.

  His head pops up from his drink to look at me. Then, he glances down to the bar just as fast. “Oh, nothing,” he says nonchalantly. “Just a late night is all.”

  “Either you’re hiding something or you’re a really bad liar,” I tease. “What, did you go out to the Bunny Ranch with some friends?”

  He laughs as he takes a drink of his beer. “Nope, no Bunny Ranch for me. Just… stayed up too late.”

  “Yep. I wonder why they call New York the city that never sleeps. It should be Las Vegas, especially with how many lights are flashing all around you twenty-four hours a day. Thank goodness they have blackout curtains, or you’d never get any sleep with the way our room faces the street.”

  A soft chuckle escapes his lips as he turns his head in the opposite direction to a couple who stands and starts to dance.

  “What’s the plan for tonight?” he asks when he looks my way again.

  I stand up a little taller, happy he’s willing to discuss tonight, hoping it leads to us hanging out after the concert.

  “We have tickets for Britney Spears tonight, and then we’ll probably go out. What about you?”

  “Britney Spears, huh?”

  He smirks, and I playfully hit his arm.

  “What’s wrong with Britney Spears?”

  He holds up his hands in defense. “Nothing. I didn’t say a word. I’m sure she puts on an awesome show. What time does it start?”

  “Not until nine.”

  He nods before bringing the bottle to his lips and taking a drink, finishing the last sip.

  A brief silence ensues, so I ask, “What about you? Any plans?”

  He shrugs. “We’ll see. I’m meeting some friends at six, and then I’m just going to see where things lead.” His phone dings with an incoming message. He tucks it in his back pocket without checking it. “I’m so
rry. I have to run. Stay safe tonight, okay?”

  As he brushes by me, his scent fills my nose, but then he’s gone before I can say anything else. I head back to my friends, feeling a little dejected.

  “Where did he go?” Sarah asks.

  “No clue. He just said he had to go,” I say, sitting next to them and playing with the straw in my drink.

  “I’m not feeling good about this guy anymore,” Sarah admits. “His James Bond mysteriousness is turning into just weirdness. Why was he here anyway?”

  “Who knows? He seemed jittery, too. Like I scared him when I said hello.”

  “I might have loved him for the coffee this morning, but I’m thinking you should stay away from him the rest of the trip. If he’s more like Jason Bourne that is not something you want to get involved with. Bond is sexy. Bourne is just straight scary,” Sam says.

  “Yeah, I agree. Too bad. He’s so cute though.” I sigh.

  “The bad ones always are, girl. Remember how good-looking Ronaldo was? And look where that got me,” Sam says with a sigh.

  It breaks my heart. I know she’s happy she ended that chapter in her life, but for a short period of time, she truly believed he was the one. I don’t think she’ll ever get over being lied to and falling for him that hard.

  “Oh well. How about we try the Giggle Water? Lord knows I need a good giggle in my life.” Sam deflects as she puts down the menu of special drinks they offer.

  Carrie stands up. “No need to say another word. Giggle Waters all around!”

  CHAPTER 5

  Giggle Waters turned into more drinks, and before I knew it, we were swing dancing with the entire bar. It was a blast, but after the night we’d had, I officially needed to stop for a second before we went to the concert tonight, or I wouldn’t make it.

  Downing water, I pick up a coffee before we start back to the hotel room. Climbing to my bed, I crawl to the top and plop my head on the pillow.

  “Oh no, you don’t. If you stop now, you won’t last to tonight. The key is to keep moving,” Sam says, pulling on my arm.

  “Must. Stop. Must. Take. Nap.” I turn to the side and pull the covers over me.

  They all laugh.

  “Lightweight,” I hear Carrie yell.

  I yank my arm up as well as I can, swooshing them away. “Just give me an hour. That’s all I ask.”

  “Fine. I’m hungry anyway. Let’s go get some food. Want us to bring you back something?” Sarah asks.

  I give her a thumbs-up.

  “Here, keep your phone next to you. When we decide where we’re going, we’ll call to see what you want.”

  I mumble my okay and am asleep before they close the door.

  I wake up who knows how long later. It’s dark outside, and I’m still alone. I reach for my phone to see I missed two calls from my sister.

  After I drink the entire bottle of water sitting next to me, I move on to the remainder of my coffee and lean back against the headboard to call her back.

  “She’s alive!” Sam yells into the phone, but I can barely hear her over the noise in the background.

  “Where’s my food?” I ask. “I’m hungry.”

  “We haven’t even made it yet. We’re at Fremont Street, trying to convince Sarah to do the zip line with us.”

  “There’s no way!” I hear Sarah yell into the phone.

  “She’s going to do it!” Carrie yells back.

  I’m glad they went without me. I have a severe fear of heights, and I know they wouldn’t stop until they had me up there. The thought sends chills down my spine in the worst way.

  “I’m ordering in then. Tell Sarah good luck.”

  “Ha! See, Sarah? Even Gemma knows you’re doing it with us!” Sam laughs. “We’ll be back in an hour or two. Once we get her up here, we’ll go eat and then come change before the concert.”

  “Sounds good. See you soon.”

  “Bye, sis.”

  We hang up, and I grab the room service menu, calling to order a burger and fries while I finish my coffee and talk myself into getting up.

  I hop in the shower and try to force myself awake while I wait for my food to arrive. The soothing liquid splashing against my skin makes my entire body go limp. Hot water and orgasms are the only two things that put my mind in this state of pleasure.

  Thoughts of achieving an orgasm while enjoying a hot shower briefly cross my mind, but my stomach growls, reminding me of the food I ordered. Knowing I don’t have time, I enjoy the sprays from heaven for as long as possible and step out just in time for the knock on the door.

  “One second, please,” I say as I dry myself off and slide on the panties I had sitting out, forgoing my bra for now. Grabbing the robe off the back of the door, I run to the front of the suite as I tie it around me.

  A short guy in a waiter’s tux slides the table into the room, and after I sign the bill, I curl up on the bed, grabbing some fries and turning on the TV.

  Juice runs down my hands as I try to wrap my mouth around the biggest burger I’ve ever seen. I drop my head back as pure bliss meets my mouth. I try not to eat big, greasy meals, but after you’ve been drinking as much as I have, a burger is the only way to go. Hell yes, I plan on enjoying it down to the very last bite.

  I flip the channel until I find a rerun of Sex and the City, throw the controller to the side, and take another bite.

  Carrie’s just about to tell me how Mr. Big was engaged to someone else when I hear a loud beep ring through the room before everything goes black. Not just the TV. Everything. The entire room is pitch-dark.

  The beep rings again as the lights flicker on for a quick second and then go dark again.

  I feel over my bed, reaching for my phone, hoping it’s somewhere near. After I feel it, I stand carefully, making sure not to trip over anything. I walk to the window to open the blackout shades, hoping the lights from outside will help guide my way a little better.

  My eyes go big when I see nothing. Literally nothing.

  As far as I can see is darkness.

  The Eiffel Tower that lit up golden in the sky is dark. I turn to the right and then to the left, leaning over to try to see farther. Everything is off.

  Fear grips my stomach.

  How is this possible?

  Memories of things I read today at The Mob Museum infiltrate my mind.

  It’s the mob. They’re coming to steal all of Vegas. They want control back!

  I shake my head, trying to calm myself down. That’s ridiculous. The mob doesn’t have that much control anymore.

  Now, it’s more of—

  Terrorists.

  Oh my God.

  Could it be?

  The mob was one thing, and I’m sure they were scary in their day, but nothing compares to the terrorist attacks we’ve had more in the modern day.

  Screams start to sound through the street below me, and my heart leaps from my chest as I step back from the window. Scared to death of what could be happening.

  I don’t hear gunshots, but the screams get louder.

  My mind is a jumbled mess.

  Sam? Carrie? Sarah? Oh my God! Where are they?

  Are they safe?

  Are they just as scared?

  I try to call them, but the phone won’t connect. When I see the screen, it’s lit up with No Signal written in the upper left corner.

  Commotion outside my door catches my attention, so, using the light from my phone, I grab my key card off the table, slide my feet into my flats, and open the door.

  A few people stand in the hallway, just as confused as I am, using the lights from their phones to guide their way.

  “What’s going on?” I ask the person in the room next to me.

  The man glances down at my robe before saying, “I don’t know, but I would get changed, and either stay in your room or get out of the hotel.”

  “Leave the hotel? Why?” I ask, even more freaked out as I grab my robe with my hand and tightly hold it close against my chest.r />
  “I don’t know, but if something were to happen, the hotel couldn’t notify you. Look, everything is out. The emergency exit lights are on but only because they’re battery-powered. I can only assume fire alarms aren’t working either. There could be a fire right now, and we’d have no clue.”

  “A fire?” someone from behind us screams in terror.

  The man turns to them. “No, I’m saying, I have no clue what’s going on, but without any electricity, how would they tell us to leave? You can do what you want, but I am choosing to leave the hotel.”

  People nod their heads in agreement, so I turn to my door and hold my key up to the lock mechanism.

  Nothing.

  Nothing happens.

  The lights of red and green that normally stare back at you on the keypad are gone, and that’s when fear really sets in.

  I’m locked out.

  “Do any of your key cards work?” I yell in desperation.

  A woman turns to me and then looks at the door she’s standing in front of. “Oh no! They run on electricity!”

  I bang my head against the one thing standing between myself and my clothes. Fear and frustration running through me.

  No. No. No. No. This can’t be happening.

  How did I get stuck outside my hotel room in a blackout in nothing but my robe?

  Tears well in my eyes just as Jason opens the door behind me. “Gemma? Are you okay?”

  “Don’t shut your door!” I yell out just as it swings shut, but to my surprise, he’s turned the top lock, stopping it from closing all the way.

  “Are you okay?” He tilts his head down in concern.

  “No, I’m not okay!” I whine as tears fall down my face. “What’s going on? How is this possible?”

  I can barely see him through the light shining from my cell phone, but it takes him a minute to answer.

  “The electricity is out,” he says like it’s not a big deal.

  How can he be so calm? I’m internally freaking out, and he acts like it’s something that happens every day.

  “Well, yeah. No shit. But did you forget where we are? How does a huge hotel like this lose all of its electricity? Or all of Vegas for that matter? Have you looked outside?” I say in a near panic again when I remember the vast nothingness I saw a few minutes ago.