I'll Do Anything

by Danielle Bourdon

  In a snit, I'd decided to go somewhere and gamble, which I wasn't supposed to do while we were saving for the shop. Ramsey's invitation solved the gambling problem and offered me the chance to cool off before finding my way home. “Actually, yeah. I do. Thanks.”

  He curved a subtle smile and entered the code to let us back into the building. A short time later, after traversing the hallways and a long ride up the elevator, he led us into his office. The lush décor, all keeping with a Grecian theme like the rest of the casino, filled every inch of Ramsey's office. From crown molding to an elaborately carved fireplace to a giant desk adjacent to a seating area and tall windows with a stellar view of the city. I helped myself to a plush sofa, tucking one leg half beneath me, careful to keep the dirty sole of my boot off the cushions.

  Ramsey went to a sidebar and brought out two glasses. “Drink?”

  I did want something. Something stronger than water, too. But I knew better. “Just water for me, thanks.”

  Ramsey dumped in a few ice cubes and opened a bottle of water that he used to fill the glass. After pouring himself a drink from a black label bottle, he walked the drinks over and handed down mine.

  “Thanks.”

  “You're welcome.” Ramsey had a sip from his, set down the drink, then skimmed his coat from his shoulders. Hanging it on a coat holder, he tugged at the tie next, and stripped it away. “I'll show you something, but you have to promise not to say anything.”

  “I promise.” If Ramsey only knew how solid my promises were. I never made promises I couldn't keep. They were set in stone, especially between Jasper and I. Interest piqued, I tracked Ramsey's progress across the room to an easel sitting next to the fireplace I hadn't noticed before. Clearly, a large painting sat beneath a cloth cover, the contents currently hidden.

  “I might have a solution to the idea of you three working here, at Olympus,” Ramsey said. He slithered the cover off the easel and exposed a large rendering. It was so lifelike that at first I thought it was a photograph. Getting up off the sofa, I walked closer. Depicted on the canvas, or paper, I wasn't sure which, was a building. A hotel or casino, I thought, though I couldn't place its presence here in Las Vegas. Towering over the strip, constructed in a more traditional style with a mediterranean flare, the structure sported arches and appealing architecture. Palms swayed on the manicured grounds, with winding pools and several other buildings situated around the main tower.

  “What is this?” I asked, taking in all the detail. “It's very beautiful.”

  “This, Finley, is my hotel and casino.”

  I darted a look at Ramsey's face. “Yours? Your father and uncles don't own it?” That was the case at Olympus. Ramsey's father and brothers all had a stake in the business. It wasn't the only casino they owned.

  A wry expression crossed Ramsey's face. “No. In an effort to get Adrian, Lincoln—my other cousin, I don't think you've officially met him yet—and I to work closer together, they fronted the money for this and put us in charge. It's been under construction for a year and a half but there's been no advertising or anything, at least to the general public. We've just started hiring for the grand opening, which is in a few months.”

  “Wow. Where is it? I don't recall seeing this in town.”

  “It's off the strip. You probably pass by it all the time, but with the scaffolding and shielding we've done, it's been mostly obscured. We never announced the name or the theme or anything.” Ramsey folded the cloth and set it aside.

  “It looks like it'll be stunning. I can't believe it opens in a few months.”

  “It's further along than it appears from the street. Anyway, I had the idea that maybe we could bring your...friend...there instead of having her work here. Depending what she's qualified for, we've got a lot of openings we might be able to fit her into.”

  “That's awfully nice of you, Ramsey. I wonder if this is what Adrian figured he would do with Asia, too. Interview her for this place.” I sipped the water.

  “I don't know. For now, we're interviewing by word of mouth. Next month, we'll extend that to the general public.”

  “What's this place going to be called?” I asked, too curious not to.

  “I can't say yet. We're keeping it under wraps for another thirty days. There's a whole 'surprise' strategy behind the reveal, rather than promote it for months on end in advance.” Ramsey slid his hands into his pockets. “What kind of job is your friend qualified for?”

  I tore my gaze off the rendering and glanced at Ramsey. “As far as I can tell, she's a dancer of some kind. Looks wise, she totally fits the bill. Tall, long legs, all that.”

  “I doubt Adrian will care if I take over the interview in his stead. It might go better anyway if I do it.” Ramsey's smile grew wry.

  We both knew how abrasive Adrian could be. “Thanks. He did bring flowers to the hospital though, which surprised me.”

  “You were in the hospital?” Ramsey frowned.

  “Oh, no. Asia was there with her daughter.” I knew what question was coming next.

  “I see.” Ramsey studied me like he might discern the obvious question without asking outright.

  Instead of dancing around the subject, I decided to be straight forward with Ramsey. “We're not sure if Kaia, the baby, is Jasper's or not. Asia says no, and we're inclined to believe her. Except there's still a small sliver of doubt. Anyway, I had to call Adrian and tell him Asia couldn't make the meeting today, and he showed up at the emergency room with flowers. I didn't think he had it in him.”

  “That's unusual. I don't recall the last time he made an attempt to be that nice to anyone.” Ramsey seemed genuinely surprised.

  “Certainly not me or Jasper,” I pointed out. “I was glad to see it, whatever the reason. I just hope he's not going to use her against us. He doesn't know who she is, yet. As in...Jasper's wife. Ex-wife.” I always wanted to clarify that the ex-part of the equation was happening sooner than later.

  “That could be a problem,” Ramsey admitted.

  “Especially because he fired Jasper, but wound up giving him his job back. Thankfully.”

  “Why did he do that?”

  “Because Jasper came here and confronted Adrian about...a little incident.”

  “What incident?”

  “Adrian was short dancers, so he ordered me to fill in for one of the shows. I had to learn the routine and perform it live that same night. You know me, Ramsey. I'm just not the showgirl type. It got a little testy between me and Adrian,” I admitted.

  Ramsey's expression changed from neutral to open discontent. “Adrian knows better than that.”

  “Yes, but he's also Adrian. We should't expect different, I guess. I'm muddling through.” The last thing I wanted to do was complain too much.

  “I'll take care of it.” Ramsey said, strolling back to his desk. He settled in the chair, picked up a pen, and made a note on a notepad.

  “You know, Ramsey, as much as I hate getting dressed up and having to dance in heels, I'll finish out the two weeks. I don't want to become someone known as a trouble maker or the girl who isn't as flexible as the other employees.” Not only that, but I suspected trouble might erupt if Ramsey pulled rank. I could just imagine the snide, snarky remarks Adrian might make if he thought I went above his head.

  “Some people are cut out for that job, and some are not. I wouldn't hesitate to put you in any number of other positions—just not that one. You're still flexible,” Ramsey assured me.

  I glanced back at the rendering. “Thanks.”

  “You're welcome.”

  “So you'll own your own casino soon. Or already do, I guess. I can't believe it,” I said in a quiet voice. I couldn't imagine the dedication, work and cost that went into such a venture.

  “Mm. It's a lot of responsibility, even shared between the three of us.”

  “Does this mean you, Adrian and Lincoln won't have offices here at Olympus any longer?”

  “We'll have offices here, but we'll
only pop in and out occasionally. Once the other hotel opens, we'll be busy trying to keep it profitable.”

  I sipped the water again, then wandered back to my seat. The news and conversation had distracted me from my volatile mood. I wasn't anywhere near normal, by any means, but I no longer had the urge to go blow a grand on gambling. Sinking into the comfortable cushions, I slouched against the arm and set my water on the end table.

  “Can I ask you something, Ramsey?”

  Ramsey set the pen down and leaned back in his chair. He watched me with a speculative look. “Of course. Ask away.”

  “How did Adrian turn out like he did? He's so totally opposite of you.”

  “He's always been high strung. Even when we were kids. But his father, my uncle, is a little more rough around the edges than my father. His idea of discipline was either not at all, or to an extreme. I won't say that was the sum of what shaped Adrian—he's had a few life events that jaded him and made him bitter—but I'm sure it had an affect.”

  “What about your other cousin, Lincoln? Is he like Adrian?”

  “No, no. Lincoln is driven and focused and ambitious, but he's not bent toward hardcore cynicism like Adrian. Lincoln and I get along pretty well. The two of us get along less well with Adrian. It'll be a challenge—has been a challenge—to make this new casino work with Adrian as an equal partner.”

  “That's interesting. I keep imagining what it must be like to be young and this successful.” I bent my head to lay it on my arm, comfortable enough in Ramsey's presence to use his sofa like I'd use my own.

  “It's got its ups and downs. I won't complain about the downs, though. I know how lucky I am to have what I've got.” Ramsey swiveled in his seat, still watching me through lidded eyes.

  “What's the theme of the new casino? Or is that top secret, too?” I closed my eyes once, then opened them when I realized I'd started to drift.

  “Yes, it's still under wraps as well. I'm sure a few people have slipped and said something, but for the most part, it's been kept out of the headlines. It's fitting for Vegas, that much I will say.”

  “What does that mean, exactly,” I said, but it wasn't a question. I knew Ramsey wouldn't tell me.

  “It means no one will be too surprised when it's unveiled.” After a moment, Ramsey said, “Would you like a blanket?”

  “Hm? Oh, no. I should probably get up and get going.” Except Jasper wouldn't be here to pick me up and I was still irked at our text exchange. I wanted to ride the bus about as much I wanted a swift kick in the teeth.

  “There's no need to rush. Rest, if you'd like. I have some paperwork to catch up on anyway.” Ramsey used one hand to undo two buttons on his shirt.

  “Maybe for a half hour. Only a half hour. Then I'll go home.”

  *

  The slam of a door jarred me awake. Sitting up with a gasp, I flailed for purchase on something stable when I nearly fell off the cushions of the couch.

  The couch.

  Not my couch, either.

  I'd fallen asleep on Ramsey's sofa. Struggling to my feet, woozy from surfacing too fast from a dream, I glanced around the office. Ramsey was no where in sight. Early morning sunlight streamed through the floor to ceiling windows, bathing the lovely architecture in a warm glow.

  Through a connecting door—one of several in Ramsey's office—I heard voices. Voices that were terse and clipped, apparently engaged in an argument. Creeping across the floor, wondering what the hell time it was, I put my ear to the thick wood of the door and listened. It didn't dawn on me to be embarrassed about my eavesdropping. I told myself I just wanted to know if one of the male voices was Ramsey.

  “You're always trying to shut me down, Ram. Why is that? I was doing something nice for someone, and here you are, busting my balls,” Adrian said.

  My brows rose. Adrian sounded more than a little angry. And he was definitely talking to Ramsey. All my good intentions of abandoning the eavesdropping vanished when intense curiosity took over.

  “Don't pretend there wasn't some other motivation. It's disingenuous and we both know you'd be lying. I'll interview the girl. If she's hirable, I'll hire her. If not, then I'm sure Finley will understand. But you're out of it,” Ramsey said.

  “You don't get to make those decisions, Ramsey. I'm as much a part of this business—and the new one—as you or Lincoln. It's not even about the girl anymore, it's about you blocking me at every turn. I'm sick of it.”

  “What this is about is your penchant for screwing with innocent people--”

  “Jasper's far from innocent.”

  “So you admit you're doing this to get at him somehow. Why did you bother to hire him back?”

  “I didn't say that. I said that Jasper is far from innocent. We've both got proof from his dealings last year. Why you continue to protect him and her is beyond me. Or is that the crux of the problem? Have you still got it bad for Finley?”

  I gasped and tried to muffle the sound with my fingertips. Ramsey surely didn't still like me in any way other than friends. After all, he'd been the first one to open my eyes about my feelings for Jasper.

  Ramsey laughed a cynical laugh. “I consider her a friend, nothing more. But that won't prevent you from thinking whatever you'll think. But let's get back to the topic of screwing innocent people. That's what I'm blocking you from doing. Finley meant to come to me first with the request anyway, so drop it and forget it. I'll take care of Asia.”

  “You're a real piece of work, Ram. You and Lincoln both. I'll tell you what you can both do...” Adrian's voice dropped to a menacing level.

  I couldn't make out the words, though I decided it was probably a comment riddled with curses by the way Ramsey snorted a dry laugh after. Unaffected.

  Turning from the door, I tiptoed out of Ramsey's office and made my way to the elevators. That conversation was far too deep and personal for me to continue listening in on. Ramsey hadn't been kidding when he'd said there was no love lost between himself and Adrian.

  Ramsey's secretary wasn't in yet, too early, and neither was Adrian's. Thank god. I didn't want to have to explain why I was sneaking around before office hours, hair mussed, clothes wrinkled from a night spent on the couch. I could just imagine all the wrong impressions I might give the employees.

  On the way to the main floor, I pulled my phone out and checked my messages. I couldn't imagine what Jasper must be thinking about my absence. Had he bothered to come home either?

  No texts or voicemails awaited. Just my last snide retort that Jasper had never answered. An uncomfortable sensation settled in my stomach as I departed the elevator and made my way out of the building. I used the employee exit, giving a few distracted nods to arriving staff.

  Squinting against the glare of the sun, I hadn't taken more than three steps when the door swung open behind me.

  “Finley...”

  Twisting at the shoulders, I glanced back at Ramsey. He must have ended the conversation right after I left. Good thing, I consoled myself, that my ear hadn't been pressed to the door when it opened. What a nightmare.

  “Ramsey, hey. I didn't want to bother you...”

  “You're not a bother.” He had the same clothes on from the night before. One more button was undone than when I'd seen it last on his shirt. “I'm sorry if Adrian and I woke you.”

  “You didn't. I never meant to sleep the whole night away, either. I guess I was more tired than I realized.” I smoothed the layers of my mussed hair away from my face. I hadn't even had time to try and make myself look somewhat presentable.

  “All right. I just wanted to make sure you didn't leave upset.” Ramsey stepped away from the door as another employee departed.

  A car pulled to the curb. The familiar growl of an engine drew my gaze to Jasper's Camaro.

  This was all about to get way more complicated than it needed to be. I could feel it in my gut. Jasper cut the engine and got out, staring at Ramsey and me over the top of the car. His jaw tightened and his lips pr
essed into a hard line.

  “Jasper,” Ramsey said, his greeting even and neutral.

  “So, what. We have a disagreement and you go running back to him?” Jasper said as he stalked around the back of the Camaro.

  “I didn't run back to anyone...”

  “Yeah? You look like you just woke up.” Jasper approached at a rapid clip.

  I put myself between the two men, one hand out to brace against Jasper's chest. “Stop. I fell asleep on his office couch, that's all. I was mad at you and about to take the bus home when I ran into Ramsey. We talked for a few hours and I fell asleep. That's it, and that's all.”

  Behind me, Ramsey was silent. I concentrated on Jasper, who looked like he was both hurt and furious. After glaring at Ramsey, Jasper met my eyes.

  “You promise?” he asked in a serious, quiet voice.

  “I promise,” I replied, equally quiet. Jasper and I didn't make promises lightly. I knew by the easing of the muscles under my hand that he believed me. He should. And if he hadn't, I would have been mortally offended. Promises were things we did not ever mess around with.

  “Sorry. It didn't look like a great scenario driving up,” Jasper said to Ramsey.

  “Don't worry about it. Unlike my ass of a cousin, I won't threaten to fire you.”

  Jasper snorted. He extended a hand around me and Ramsey clasped it for a shake. I stepped out from between them and tucked my thumbs into my back pockets.

  “Yeah, well he surprised us yesterday,” Jasper said. “He showed up--”

  “I already told him,” I said to Jasper.

  “And I'm taking over the interview of your friend, if that's acceptable,” Ramsey added.

  “That's fine. I appreciate you taking the time,” Jasper said.

  “How is the baby?” I asked, unable to quell my curiosity any longer.

  “She's doing a lot better. I left around four this morning. By then, Kaia's temperature was below a hundred and she hadn't had any more seizures. The doctors are saying they'll release her later today.”