Breaking Even

by Lily Bishop

  Until he helped the FBI bring Miguel to justice, he couldn’t risk it. She would never give him another chance. He would just have to find a way to protect her without her knowing why.

  “Okay, but stay with Xavier the whole time. Some of my associates in Vegas aren’t exactly what you would call good people. I do not want you tangled up with them.”

  She frowned at him. “Perhaps you shouldn’t associate with criminals then.”

  “Yes, but it is not always so cut and dry,” Ric said. “I have the pilot on alert, so as soon as we pack, we can go.”

  She stretched up and planted a kiss on his lips. “I won’t take long, I promise. I’m so excited!”

  She left him to go shower. Ric had a sinking feeling that he would regret this trip.

  #

  McCarran Airport looked like Christmas had exploded. Everywhere Lindsey looked, she saw Christmas trees, complete with fake snow.

  “Well, if I wasn’t in the Christmas spirit before, I am now,” she told Ric. Trees of every color and shape lined the concourse.

  He grunted, clearly not in the Christmas spirit himself. Lindsey glanced over at Xavier, but he just shrugged. She turned back to Ric.

  “Look, I know you didn’t want me to come, but I’m telling you, if you keep up that attitude, this trip will not end well.” There was no way Lindsey would let him take this trip alone. He had made way too much of a point out of her not going. He was hiding something, and she intended to find out what.

  Ric tried to smile, but failed. Instead, his lips only twisted. “I’m sorry. I just have a lot on my mind.”

  “Snap out of it,” she said, grabbing his arm and tucking hers around it. “This is my first trip to Las Vegas. You're supposed to blow me away.”

  The tense muscles in his arm relaxed. “You’re right. I'm sorry.”

  Lindsey couldn’t believe she was finally in Las Vegas. The three of them made their way through the airport, followed by a porter who brought their luggage on a cart.

  Slot machines whirred and spun, singing of wins and losses. The only thing missing from the airport was the table games. They walked past a restaurant and Lindsey could smell burgers on the grill. Her stomach perked up, even though they had eaten lunch on the plane.

  “Where are we staying?” she asked, trying to keep Ric from clamming up again.

  “The Vittoria. It’s a new casino on the strip.”

  “That’s where my sister met Fox last summer,” Lindsey said, excited. She knew Laura had liked the resort.

  Ric looked at her then. “Right. I forgot about that. They met here?”

  “Sure. Fox’s stepdad owns a big share or something. At least that’s what Laura said. His name is Robert. I don’t remember the last name, but I don’t think it’s Thornton.”

  “Robert Stephens,” Ric completed for her.

  “That’s it. Stephens. Do you know him?”

  “Not well. I’ve met him a few times, but that’s about it.” Lindsey sighed, irritated with his short, abrupt answers. She, Ric and Xavier loaded into the black sedan that was waiting for them, complete with driver. Xavier sat up front with the driver.

  “So, what are we going to do when we get to the Vittoria?” Lindsey kept chatting, trying to get Ric to open up. He just stared out the window. She hoped she hadn’t made a horrible mistake forcing him to bring her with him.

  “Check into our room, and then we may have time to hit the blackjack tables for a little bit before I have my meeting.”

  “That’s what I want to hear,” she said, grinning. “I can test out more of my theories.”

  “Don’t get kicked out for card-counting.” He finally turned to her at that statement, his frown serious.

  “I’m not going to get kicked out for card-counting,” she parroted, frowning. “I still don’t understand why it’s not permitted. They play their game, I play mine.”

  “Well, it’s their house, their rules. No card-counting.”

  Lindsey pushed out her lips in a fake pout. “It’s not like you knew I was counting cards on Calliope.”

  He grinned at her, his first true smile all day. “Oh, I knew. I just thought you were too adorable to make a fuss about it. And that was my casino. This, however, is not my casino. Their rules apply.”

  #

  Vaughn found Ric and Lindsey in the casino playing blackjack, just as Miguel had said. Miguel had lured them to Las Vegas, and now it was time for Vaughn to do his part.

  Miguel’s plan was for Vaughn to take Lindsey from the casino once Ric left her alone. All he had to do was slip the drug in her in her drink.

  Vaughn had used the drug before. It acted like alcohol, only faster and with more pronounced effects. Once the drug was in a girl’s bloodstream, it made her agreeable to anything. Inhibitions melted. He would have about an hour before the secondary drug effects took hold and she passed out.

  Vaughn nursed his drink and waited for Salzana to leave. Lindsey laughed and joked as if she didn’t have a care in the world. Vaughn would wipe that smile off her face, and he would enjoy doing it.

  She had looked so much better as a blonde when she wore that platinum wig. Why was she wearing glasses? She looked so much better with contact lenses.

  Vaughn lowered his head, although he didn’t think either one of those men would recognize him. Six months working on Venezuelan fishing boats had hardened him and weathered his complexion. Tired of looking at his thinning hair, he had shaved his head and grown a mustache and beard.

  Now he would finally get his revenge on Lindsey. He tossed back his drink, getting excited about his plans.

  She passed within ten feet of him and never suspected he sat by the bar. Damn it, she wasn’t supposed to leave the casino area. He had thought she would keep playing cards when Salzana left. He would have to come up with a different plan.

  #

  The only way Lindsey would leave the casino table was if Ric promised they would come back down. He had forgotten how much he enjoyed watching her play. She played cards as if she were on fire, up over a thousand after a few short hours.

  He paused at the door as he left. “I don’t know how long I will be gone. If it gets too late, just order room service.”

  Lindsey glanced at the menu and wrinkled her nose. “The room service menu’s not doing it for me. I might just go down to the restaurant.”

  “I don’t know about that,” he said. “I would feel better if you stayed in the room. Grab something to eat from the minibar and we will have a late dinner when I come back.”

  “What? It’s a hotel. I didn’t say I was going to go walk the strip by myself. I like to people watch, and where better to do that than Las Vegas?”

  Ric frowned. “I need for you to stay in the room while I’m gone. Can you do that, or does Xavier need to stay with you?”

  Lindsey glared at him. “Fine. I’ll wait. But I’m not spending the entire trip in the room waiting for you.”

  Ric left Lindsey in the room with the television remote and a bag of snack mix. He hoped she would do as she promised. He met Xavier at the elevator and his attention turned to their meeting with Miguel.

  “Are you going to be okay seeing Javi?” Ric knew how hard it was for Xavier to see his twin brother Javier. They had not been on good terms in a decade, not since Giada had left Xavier for Javi.

  Xavier stared at him not blinking. “I don’t care if he is there or not. He is dead to me.”

  “You don’t have to go. You can shadow Lindsey.”

  Xavier’s lips tightened. “I don’t trust Miguel. I’d rather stay with you.”

  The two of them went up to meet Miguel. Javier opened the door and grunted when he saw his brother. The two brothers had aged similarly, which was why he had been able to pass for Xavier. Javier always wore a beard, but this time he was clean-shaven.

  “Javier, good to see you. It’s been a while,” Ric said.

  Javier grunted. “Ricardo. I heard you had sold out to the Yanks.”<
br />
  “I run a resort. In fact, you were there yesterday. I don’t know what you run, except my cousin’s social life.”

  Ric pushed past him and went to Miguel, who sat at the dining room table cutting into a huge steak. Xavier kept watch at the door, glowering at Javier, who had yet to speak to him.

  “There you are,” Miguel said. “I ordered you a steak—still medium rare?”

  “Always,” Ric answered. He adjusted his cuffs and unbuttoned his jacket before he sat down, but left the jacket on. It hid the gun in his waste-band.

  Miguel motioned to the waiter standing in the corner. “Bring mi primo his steak, please. Set the boys up with their own plates at the counter there.”

  Ric sighed, irritated. He hadn’t planned on dinner with Miguel. Lindsey would not be happy. “While we’re waiting, explain why I had to fly all the way to Las Vegas to talk to you. I don’t have all night.”

  “It would be rude to talk before we both have our food.” He poured two glasses of red wine. “To our new partnership.”

  Ric lifted his eyebrow, but he drank the wine, a good Venezuelan variety if he wasn’t mistaken.

  The waiter brought Ric a covered plate and served it with a flourish. Ric cut into the center, and when he saw the bright red streak, he nodded his approval. The waiter melted back into the corner.

  Miguel leaned back and waited, watching Ric. After a minute, Miguel continued cutting his steak into bite-sized pieces. Ric watched as he cut the entire steak at once, instead of eating it bit by bit.

  “I need your help for my new enterprise.”

  Ric hoped the recorder in his new watch was picking this up. “And what is that?”

  “All in good time. I need to move goods through your island. Will you keep me clear of the customs inspectors?”

  “I have to know what risk I’m taking. What goods are you moving?”

  Miguel just laughed. “I can’t tell you everything yet. You have to prove yourself. Low risk. High reward.”

  Ric closed his eyes, disgusted with his cousin and himself. He had to do this to see if he could get hard evidence the FBI needed. “I’ll agree to let you stop and refuel at my island without repercussions for one year. After that, I’m done.”

  “Just one year?”

  “One year. I’m not committing longer than that. What am I looking for? Your ship?”

  “No, Robert’s. The Atlanta Lady. He’s in a bind financially. Let’s just say that he lent it to me indefinitely.” That probably meant gambling debts. Or some sort of blackmail. A ship that couldn’t be traced directly to him was ideal for his cousin.

  Ric lifted his eyebrows. “That I did not know. That ship has a high profile—it’s dangerous to ship contraband on something so noticeable, don’t you think?”

  Miguel shrugged. “Meh. Finding a ship in the Caribbean is not easy. I’m not worried. My men just need a place to pick up fuel and supplies between the US and home.”

  Ric put down his knife and fork and folded his napkin. “Here’s what I want in return.”

  Miguel smiled, looking like a feral cat. “And what is that?”

  “Stay away from Lindsey.”

  “What? The little mousy girl? What do you see in her?”

  “I plan to marry her, and you will stay away from her. Do you understand me?”

  Miguel shrugged. “A girl like that needs a marriage bed. I didn’t see a ring on her finger.”

  Ric stood up and pushed his uneaten steak away. “I’m done here. Just remember that I protect what is mine.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Leaving Las Vegas

  From her seat in the restaurant, Lindsey couldn’t see the blackjack tables. She knew they were there, just on the other side of that wall. It didn't matter that she would have to walk through the entire casino to reach them.

  She had waited for Ric until her stomach growled a few times, and then she left him a note. When she found the Italian restaurant closed for a private party, she decided to try the buffet. After she ate, if Ric hadn't turned up, she would play a few rounds of blackjack. He would find her eventually.

  She hoped he wouldn't be mad that she hadn't waited in the room. She had wanted to come to Vegas ever since she had been playing blackjack. First, she had to wait until she turned twenty-one, and then she didn't have the money. There was no way she would miss this trip.

  The waiter came around telling her about the specials and the buffet. She ordered an iced tea and the buffer, and then went to fill her plate. When she came back with a full plate, the tea did not look like she expected. When she tasted it, she found that it was an alcoholic drink. She waved at the waiter.

  “I wanted an iced tea.”

  “Yes, a Long Island Iced Tea. That’s one of our specials.”

  “I wanted a regular tea," Lindsey said, irritated.

  “Oh, well just keep it. I’ll bring a tea out."

  Lindsey tried the drink again, and sort of liked the taste, so she drank some more of it. She was halfway through her salad when a man sat down on the other side of the booth from her.

  “I'm not looking for company—” she started. She trailed off when she looked up into the cold, unfeeling eyes of Vaughn Bruce. He had shaved his head and grew a beard, but she still recognized him. Her eyes narrowed. “What are you doing here?”

  “I’ve been waiting for you. I thought we could reminisce over old times.” He motioned to the waiter and ordered a vodka tonic.

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Not happy to see me? You owe me an explanation.”

  “Ric won’t like it if he sees you here.” That was an understatement. After promising Ric she would wait in the room, here she was with Vaughn. No, that would not look good at all.

  “I came to collect what I’m owed. About a hundred grand, if I’m doing my calculations right.”

  The waiter brought Vaughn his drink. Vaughn smiled and lifted it in a toast. “To business partners.”

  Lindsey ignored him. “Just leave.”

  “Sure. When I get my money.”

  Lindsey sighed. “That money’s not yours. I won on my own, without any help from you. You disappeared and left me to fend for myself, remember? They accused me of stealing. Counterfeit chips? You thought you’d get away with that?” She took a deep drink from the alcoholic drink, hoping it would calm her nerves.

  Vaughn leaned forward, his face contorted in an ugly grimace.

  “You've forgotten that I'm the one they arrested. And then you left with my money.” He didn’t raise his voice, but his hands clenched on the table, as if he were barely holding it together.

  “What was I supposed to do? They said we were playing with fake chips.” She took another sip of the Long Island Iced Tea, starting to like it.

  “Did it ever occur to you that I was framed? That your Ric was trying to get you for himself? I have my sources. I know the two of you got cozy, staying together in that penthouse.”

  “It wasn’t like that. At first, and he scared me to death! You left me with no money and no passport. The money I won is not yours. Ric gave me the entrance fee for that tournament.”

  “I’ll just be he did,” Vaughn sneered. “Ric this, Ric that. He played you like a schoolgirl and you don’t even realize it.”

  At first, Lindsey froze at his accusation, and then she flung her napkin down on top of her plate. She didn’t need to hear anything else. “He did not play me.”

  “I saw the two of you coming into the casino, all smiles and hugs. Now it’s time to pay your debts.”

  “I don’t owe you anything.” The waiter brought her the check, and Lindsey signed for it. She had started to feel a little bit loopy. Surely one drink wouldn’t have affected her so fast. “I’m not feeling so well.”

  “Do you want me to take you to Ric? I saw him outside.”

  Lindsey knew she shouldn’t leave with this man, but the thought faded when he helped her stand up. He supported her and half carried her through the
casino and out the front door. She tried to get him to slow down and explain what they were doing, but she couldn’t form the words.

  “I need to find Ric.”

  “We will. That’s it, one foot in front of the other,” he said, his voice gentle. Wasn’t there a song about that? The song caught in her head and she followed him.

  #

  Ric and Xavier left Miguel’s suite and rushed to the elevator to get to their floor. He sent a text to Agent Quinn McGuire, the FBI agent he had been working with. Nothing yet. Still in Vegas.

  He would ask Quinn later about Robert. Ric had promised Lindsey he would come back in time for dinner. He would just have to order a small meal or an appetizer so she wouldn’t eat alone.

  “So, what the hell was that about?” Ric asked Xavier once they made it back to the floor where they each had a room.

  “I have no idea. A show of force from Miguel?”

  Ric slid his key card across the lock and opened the door. “A damned waste of time if you ask me.” He looked around the suite, but didn’t see Lindsey. “Lindsey, we’re back. Are you ready to go to dinner?”

  Silence greeted them, and a quick glance told them she wasn’t in the main area or the bedroom.

  He found a note on the table that she had gone to dinner in the Italian restaurant downstairs. “Damn it, I told her not to leave. Why won’t she ever just listen?” He called her phone, but she didn’t answer. “Come on—let’s see if we can find her.”

  “Well, if the threat was from Miguel and Javier, and they were with us, she’s probably fine.”

  Ric ignored the word probably. “I just pray you are right.”

  Ric went straight to the Italian bistro, but. The sign said private party. The closest restaurant was a buffet. He looked inside and didn’t see her, but low walls and plants broke up several small seating areas.

  “Wait—isn’t that her sweater?” Xavier asked, gesturing to a vacant table that held two empty highball glasses.