“I would like that very much. Thank you again,” Lia replied feeling a little overwhelmed now. Everything was going just too smoothly. Her cell phone hadn’t begun to ring yet and no one has showed up to drag her away.
“Well get some sleep for now then come down to my office later so we can discuss it,” he then added. “And by the way, if you need anything my room is just in front of the elevators. I thought it would be safer to put you on the same floor as me.”
She looked a little bewildered at him now. He seemed almost worried about her. “Well that was very sweet of you.”
“I just think a beautiful young lady such as yourself shouldn’t be traveling alone. But don’t worry, I’ll make sure you are safe,” he then assured her.
He was finally gone and Lia realized now just how tired she really was. Today was sure to be an eventful day when Randle finally realizes she is gone. When he finally realizes that she has escaped his captivity. She quickly changed into a comfortable nighty and crawled into the bed.
Later that morning Lia showered and put on a pair of black dress slacks neatly starched and pressed to perfection. She slipped on a white lacey blouse semi low cut not to show off too much cleavage. She didn’t want Mr. Whitman getting the wrong idea about her. In her matching heels she made her way down the elevator and to the front desk.
“I’m here to speak with Mr. Whitman please,” she told the gentleman that was now working the desk. He quickly scanned her from head to toe then replied, “Yes ma’am. Who may I say is asking for him?”
“Lia Harton. He is expecting me.”
Mr. Whitman appeared from his office after hearing her voice. “Come on in Lia, I’ve been waiting for you.”
She entered his office and took the seat ahead of his desk. He had her fill out all the necessary employment papers then copied her ID for the employee file. Then he supplied her with hotel uniforms and waited in his office for her to return dressed and ready to begin.
Finally in her khaki slacks and black vest lined with golden trim, they now made their way through the crowded casino to the blackjack tables.
“Lia I would like you to meet Mary. She’s been the pit boss here for several years now. She has agreed to teach you all you need to know,” Mr. Whitman then introduced.
Mary was a middle aged woman with short black hair neatly groomed. She stretched out a welcoming hand. “Nice to meet you Lia, Mr. Whitman speaks very highly of you.”
“Thank you,” she replied a little nervous about all of this.
She was actually fixing to start a job and it felt kind of good. And she had already made two new friends. I knew this would be awesome she thought as she listened intently as Mary now exposed a deck a cards and began to explain the rules of the game.
“You’re a fast learner,” Mary finally expressed after a couple hours of training. “You’re gonna be a good blackjack dealer.”
“Well thank you,” Lia replied proudly. And she found herself very much enjoying it all.
But she couldn’t help but feel a bit edgy about all the security. They almost made her feel as if she were back in Texas with Randle. They walked around dressed in their suit and ties with the same obvious bulge of their weapons beneath their jackets. Their eyes were constantly scanning everyone in the room and they always had such a serious look about them.
“Are there always so many security guards here?” she finally asked after a while.
“Well,” Mary started as she too now scanned around them, “Not quite so much but then again millions of dollars go through this place everyday. Never hurts to be safe I guess.”
Then she turned to meet Lia’s gaze. “Are you ready to watch at the tables?” she then asked her.
“Oh absolutely,” she replied with more excitement now. She was finally gonna get to see the game live.
Mary walked her over to one of the tables and as soon as the young woman finished dealing the game she introduced them.
“Jennie this is Lia. She’s gonna be observing you for awhile until I feel she’s got the hang of it.”
“Nice to meet you Lia, Welcome to Vegas,” the young woman then greeted. She went about her way and dealt the next cards to the four gentlemen that were anxiously awaiting them.
Lia watched enviously soaking in all she could. She so much wanted this to all work out, to be out on her own and meet new people and make new friends. To show Randle she was perfectly capable of being out in the world without him and having no problem doing it. Free from all the blood and deceit she had grown up around.
Finally her first eight hour shift had ended and she couldn’t believe how tired she actually was and how much her feet were aching. She made her way to the back office and punched the time clock. She gathered her purse from her employee locker then she re-entered the casino area and stopped to take a look around.
I may as well check out the rest of this place she thought as she began to walk and take in all she could. Then she saw a bar to the rear and decided to take a seat and rest, maybe even have a drink and relax.
She pulled herself up on a one of the padded barstools and waited patiently for the bartender to make his way to her.
“What can I get for you beautiful lady?” he asked as he finally approached her.
“Beautiful lady indeed,” she then heard from behind and turned to see a gorgeous young man now taking the seat just next to her. He had jet black straight hair parted down the middle and gorgeous hazel eyes that nearly matched her own and was staring straight at her.
“Hello,” she shyly greeted, almost with embarrassment. Then she turned back to the bartender. “Club soda please,” she then stated.
“Oh come on,” the young man cut in. “A working lady such as yourself deserves something stronger than that after a hard day on the job,” he then implied.
She was still in hotel uniform so she wasn’t surprised he knew she worked there. “Then what would you suggest?” she found herself nearly flirting back.
“Oh…you look more like a wine lady to me,” he then suggested. “Give us two of your finest,” he then directed to the bartender.
The bartender nodded and disappeared off to get their drinks.
Then this great looking man extended his hand. “Thomas Bransford. It’s very nice to meet you,” he then introduced as he awaited her reply.
“Lia Harton,” she answered and returned his greeting. “And it’s nice to meet you too.”
He stared quietly for a moment as if to be thinking of his next words. “So what brings a young gorgeous thing like you outta Texas?” he then surprised her.
“How do you know I’m from Texas?” she asked with great suspicion. She almost got up and ran.
“The accent will give you away every time,” he laughed back.
“Oh, I didn’t realize I had one,” she replied almost laughing now. I’ve been cooped up in that big mansion for so many years I’ve never had anyone tell me I had an accent before she thought quickly.
“Well, I’ve always been fascinated by all the things I’ve heard about this town,” she finally started, “so I finally decided to hop a plane and see it for myself.”
“Interesting,” he answered. “Well, maybe your curiosity will be my good fortune.”
Lia looked to him now feeling a bit more nervous. She actually found herself looking around the room to make sure Randle wasn’t standing there fixing to shoot this man for flirting with her. This type of thing has just never been allowed to happen to her…at least not without consequences.
The bartender came with their drinks. She picked up the goblet and took a sip. “Ummm, this is good,” she admitted. “It’s been a while since I’ve had such a fine glass of wine.”
Thomas reached out and tipped her glass with his. “It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed one with such a beautiful woman.”
Again she scanned the room. He wasn’t there. She returned her gaze to Thomas. Am I gonna be able to handle all this? she then began to wonder to he
rself.
“Are you all right?” he then asked.
“Yes I’m fine,” she assured him almost immediately. “I’m just a bit overwhelmed by all the commotion here is all.”
“We could always go someplace a little more private then if you like,” he then offered with an impish smile.
Lia looked back with shock, almost feeling offended. Does he think I’m easy like that or what? Then to her surprise Mr. Whitman showed up seemingly out of no where and now stood beside them.
“Well Lia how did your first day go?” he asked.
“Just fine, I think I’m gonna do okay,” she replied proudly.
“Good…good,” he then muttered as if preoccupied or bothered by something. “Well, I think it would be best if you return to your room for the night and rest up. Tomorrow you are going solo and I am sure it will be stressful.”
He almost sounded like her father now and he actually took her arm and was pulling her off the barstool. She came to stand just in front of him without resistance then sat the goblet on the bar and turned to look at Thomas.
“Well, maybe I’ll see you tomorrow,” she then stated with optimism.
“Oh I’m certain of it,” he replied, not looking at her at first though. He was looking directly at Mr. Whitman then finally his eyes met hers again. She got the feeling the two of them had met before. Possibly knew each other well but she wasn’t sure.
Mr. Whitman walked her all the way to her room making sure she made it safely. “I’m really sorry if I disturbed you. I just feel a certain need to keep an eye on you. You really remind me of my own daughter when she was your age.”
Lia began to understand a little more now. She could tell he was a very compassionate gentleman and was sure now that’s all there was too it. She reminded him of family and felt a certain obligation.
“It’s okay really,” she assured him. But at the same time she felt quite attracted to this Thomas guy. He was really nice looking and she could tell he was interested in her as well.
“Good night then,” he finally added and disappeared down the hall to his own room.
Lia watched as he made his way, but now noticed two security guards that weren’t on this floor before, one at each end of the long hallway. Or maybe they were here she found herself wondering now. I was pretty tired when I got here. She unlocked her door and made her way into the room and then double checked that she had locked it behind her.
Then she turned only to see her cell phone still lying on the dresser where she had left it on purpose knowing it would be going off back to back all day long. Suddenly all the fear of Randle flooded through her body again. Slowly she walked over and picked it up but much to her surprise only three missed calls…all from Randle of course, but he never left a voice mail. She knew surely he’d leave her several messages just so she could hear the anger in his powerful voice so he could try and scare her into returning.
She didn’t dare call him back nor would she answer should he call again. He would surely know where the call was from and seek her out. The longer she spent away from him the better.
The next morning Lia was up early. She was scheduled to work the eight to five shift and found herself rather excited about it. She was actually enjoying all of this much more than she ever imagined.
She dressed in her uniform, made her way down the elevator, punched in, and locked her purse in her locker then finally off to meet with Mary.
“Good morning,” she greeted cheerfully.
“Good morning to you too my star pupil,” Mary greeted in return. “Jenny says you dealt by yourself all afternoon and did very well. Ready to solo?”
“Absolutely,” she answered with much confidence now.
It was late afternoon now and Lia’s shift was almost over. She reached her hand over the felt of the blackjack table and pulled the cards back to her. Just before dealing the next round she looked up only to see Thomas now take the chair at the end of the table. She tried to conceal her joy of his unexpected arrival but he clearly picked it up and returned her smile. Without a word she began to deal the next hand. Everyone threw in their chips to ante up and she looked to Thomas who was first to play. He waved his hand to pass. The gentleman next to him tapped the table for a card. She slid him the card and he peered at it then also motioned to stop. Thomas flipped his card…twenty. His partner groaned out as he lost the hand. Lia then flipped the dealer card, an ace with her already exposed queen…twenty-one is blackjack…house wins. Thomas laughed out loud not at all surprised and the other gentleman angrily left the table.
Then Lia’s relief arrived and took over the table. She was now free to start her evening off and Thomas rose to wait for her.
“Nice to see you again,” she stated walking over to him.
“My thoughts exactly,” he replied back with a flirty attitude again. “How about having dinner with me tonight?”
Lia’s eyes met his with surprise then she again found herself glimpsing around trying not to be obvious. “Well, if you let me punch out and grab my bag I don’t see the harm,” she finally got the nerve to reply.
“I’ll wait,” he assured her.
She made her way to the employee locker room and couldn’t punch out and grab her purse fast enough. Her heart was pounding with excitement and she felt like this was her first ever date.
“Where too?” she then asked when she emerged and found this handsome creature waiting just outside the door.
“C’mon,” he ordered playfully. “I know the perfect little café.”
And perfect it seemed. Still sitting in her hotel uniform Lia and Thomas were now seated at an outdoor Italian café that sat just next to the sidewalk overlooking the Vegas strip. It was covered by a canopy with small round tables throughout. Soft music was playing in the background and she thought it to be the most romantic night she’d ever had.
“So how is your stay in Vegas so far?” Thomas then asked her.
“Wonderful,” she didn’t hesitate to assure him. “This is probably the most fun I’ve had in all my life.”
“I find that hard to believe,” he then replied with a little shock. “Surely a beautiful little lady like you has had many boyfriends.”
To Lia this was a rather hilarious assumption. If only he knew she thought. That would be a lot of dead boyfriends. She almost found humor in it but made sure not to laugh.
“No I really haven’t,” is all she could find to say.
“How can someone so young afford to stay in such an elegant hotel as the Malia?” he then asked.
This surprised Lia somewhat but she answered anyway. “Well, my parents died when I was only ten. My Godfather took me in but’s that’s a long story. Anyway, they left me a nice trust fund and I draw off its interest. Once I’m twenty-five I’ll get the balance.”
“Aw…very interesting,” he responded as if it were of no matter.
“Look, I’ve really enjoyed this evening,” she then went on, “but I’m really tired. If you don’t mind I’d like to go back to the hotel.”
“Of course,” he agreed fully understanding.
Thomas got them a cab and he escorted her back to the Malia. He walked her to the elevator and acted as if he wanted to come up with her. Lia faced him.
“I really think its best we part here,” she suggested a little shyly.
He got the message. She was a decent young woman and didn’t want to risk her virtue.
“I fully understand.”
He neared a little too close. Lia wasn’t comfortable with it and put her hands to his chest to hold him back. She knew full well he was about to kiss her and she just couldn’t take that chance. If seen by the wrong person there was no telling what could possibly happen.
Thomas again got the message. “Until tomorrow?” he asked hopefully.
“Absolutely.”
She watched as he walked toward the front exit and out the doors then turned to face the elevator but the site of police officers along with se
curity now walking all throughout the casino caught her attention.
Stepping down the two steps that entered the casino she peered around the corner and way to the other end she could tell there was some sort of commotion so she decided to see what had happened. Then Mr. Whitman appeared from the crowd and was now walking in her direction.
“Oh Lia, there you are,” he let out as soon as he reached her. “I’ve been so worried.”
“Why? What’s happened?” she asked now beginning to worry herself.
“There’s been a robbery. One of the cashier cages was hit.”
Lia looked back in shock. “Was anyone hurt?”
“No but I would really feel better if you would go to your room until we find the person responsible. He’s still on the loose.”
“Oh, okay,” she replied not at all rebelling.
Finally she made her way up the elevator and turned to walk the hall to her room. To her surprise there was no security on the floor tonight. Probably downstairs with everyone else she only thought.
She faced her room door now and inserted the key card. She heard the room door behind her open but ignored it. She opened her door and began to step inside but when she reached out to close the door she saw a man’s hand grab it first and slam it shut. He was now in the room with her. She turned to face him and tried to run backward but he grabbed her left arm and she began to struggle with him. Her purse fell to the floor and he kept her now from reaching for it.
“Who are you? What do want?”
She didn’t recognize him. He spun her around and her entire body froze as soon as she felt the hard round barrel of his gun poke into her side rib cage, his left arm now around her chest.
“You make one stupid move and I’ll kill you. Now we’re gonna go out the front door of this hotel with you right in front of me.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you,” she stated but was in fear for her life now.
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