Either way, I padded into my kitchen, flicked the kettle on, got us a little bit of my latest blend attempt. Salted caramel. It was still a work in progress, but I wanted to see what he would think of it, so I measured us each out a little bit and then made my way into the bedroom to get dressed while the kettle boiled.
As much as I didn’t want to, I had to go to work today, so I slipped into a pair of gray tights, along with a black skirt that would look adorable with my uniform top. In the meantime, I slipped into a green long sleeve top and made my way back out to the kitchen where the kettle had popped. I poured the hot chocolate and watched the steam rise from it for a couple seconds before heading into the bathroom where I ran a brush through my hair and applied a small amount of makeup. I couldn’t stop thinking about that girl who had showed up at Dean’s house the other day. She didn’t look like she’d worn any makeup except a little mascara. I bit my lip wondering if I would actually look good or feel pretty with that little amount of makeup on. I frowned. Had Jessica worn much make up? I knew it was wrong to compare myself to his ex, but I couldn’t help it.
I took a deep breath, decided to go with a little nude lipstick, and then headed back to the kitchen.
“Well, good morning, gorgeous.”
He sounded like he was still asleep as he sat up and looked me over.
My cheeks flushed. “So you like it?”
“Have I ever told you that you have amazing legs?”
“No, I don’t think you have.”
“Well, you do.” His eyes roamed over every inch of my body. “I like when you wear heels to work, it gives me something to look at during the day.”
“Well, maybe I’ll wear heels with my skirt today.” I raised an eyebrow. “Just for you.”
“You shouldn’t tempt me too much.” He grinned, standing up and coming over to me. His arms wrapped around me, pulling me close to him, and his lips touched mine.
“I made you some hot chocolate.” I knew we shouldn’t kiss too much; otherwise, neither of us were going to be leaving this house all day.
“What kind?”
“Salted caramel.”
“Sounds yummy; is that a new flavor?”
“Yup. Still not down pat, but I want to know what you think.”
“So far I’ve thought every flavor I’ve tried is amazing.” His lips touched mine softly.
“You’re just saying that.”
He pulled away. “No, I’m not. I know the value of honest opinions when you’re starting off; I’d never lie to you. Like for example, if this is disgusting I’m going to tell you. I’ll try to find a nice way to tell you, but I will tell you.”
“That’s very kind of you.”
He walked away from me, thank God because I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to push him away if he came back for another kiss. I did actually mean what I’d said. I wasn’t being sarcastic or snarky; I thought it was kind he would tell me the truth because I needed someone to do that for me. I followed him into the kitchen and took the mug he hadn’t. I took a small sip. I’d already tried this batch, but no one else had; I didn’t think Katie had gotten around to trying it before Dean showed up last night, or at the very least she hadn’t told me how it was.
I watched Dean carefully. He mulled it over after he took a sip.
“Honestly, it’s a little bit sweet for my liking, but it’s good.”
“Thanks.” I smiled widely, taking a sip of mine. I could see why he thought that. I was still trying to decide if it was good enough or not, maybe taking out a little bit of the sweetness would be good. I could always try it.
I gave Dean a smile. “So, ready to head to work?”
“Just give me a couple, and I’ll drive us.” He grinned as he put his mug down and strode towards the bathroom.
True to his word, he didn’t take long, and when he came out of the bathroom, I could smell the mouthwash on his breath. He pulled me into a quick kiss and touched my butt gently before he pulled away, and we headed for the front door.
“Hello.” Jake stared at me as soon as I stepped out into the hallway.
“Hey. How are you doing?”
“Not too bad, yourself?”
“Good.” I turned to Dean. “Dean, this is Jake. Jake, my boyfriend, Dean.”
The two men nodded to each other as the three of us headed to the staircase.
“So, are you off to work?”
“Yea, that friend of mine helped me find a job.” He turned to Dean. “Recent break up.”
“Oh, ouch. I’m sorry man.”
Jake shrugged. “It happens. But at least, I know she’s fucking my best friend now.”
“Ohhh, that’s shitty.” Dean sounded like he did actually feel bad about it too.
The rest of the walk down the stairs was in complete silence. And I was okay with that. For some reason, it felt odd to have Jake and Dean together. Maybe it was because Dean knew who Jake was, or maybe it was because Jake didn’t know who Dean was—or maybe I was just finding stuff to stress about that wasn’t there. But either way, it felt good to get in the car with just Dean.
“So, that was the guy you spent your night with, right?”
I let out a deep breath. “You make it sound a lot worse than just sitting around watching chick flicks.”
“Sorry.” He gave me a soft smile. “I just … wondered.”
“Assessing your competition?”
“Yes.” He gave me a grin, but I wasn’t so sure he was joking.
“Well, you’ll be happy to know that you don’t have any.”
“I don’t?”
“Nope. I like you and only you.” Actually, I really like you. But I didn’t say it. I didn’t want him to think I was going to drop the love bomb on him right away and scare him off.
My heart twisted into a knot. I was beginning to think that maybe I did actually love him. It’s too soon for all that crap. It’s just puppy dog love. Love as in I’m still trying to get to know him. And I really like him, and he’s interesting and cool and hot. Even if I did love him, it wasn’t the right kind of love. It couldn’t be—right?
I bit my lip. “So, tonight is the big night, right?”
“Yup.”
I couldn’t believe so much time had already passed. It wasn’t the fight night until tomorrow, but tonight we were starting the warm up, hoping to get people to come in and then come back tomorrow.
“I have a couple radio stations stopping by today. Do you want to do an interview with them?”
“What?” I spun to face Dean as he started the car, and we made our way towards work.
“Well, you’re going to need the practice so if you want …”
“No. I—I’m sorry; I just don’t think I can.”
“It’s alright. I don’t mind doing them.”
Chapter Five
My jaw dropped and my heart raced as I stared at the woman across the parking lot. I suddenly knew what I was going to do. I turned on my heel and headed for Dean’s office.
With everyone in the building, it was amazing that I’d caught sight of her once, and I had no clue how I was going to find her again, but I knew I was going to have to.
I didn’t bother knocking before I entered his office.
“That girl who stopped by your house is here.”
“What?”
I didn’t realize Melina had been in here until she spoke. Dean pushed himself up from his chair, and they both came over to me.
“Show her to me.”
I nodded and led the way out of the room. Thankfully, I’d seen her in the parking lot—which meant she still had to come into the casino.
“There.” I pointed towards her as she stepped into the lobby and looked around, her eyes on the slots. “Short hair. With the Gucci purse.”
“Do you know her?” Melina asked.
“No,” Dean said.
We watched as a man approached her and touched the small of her back.
*
My heart dropped as I saw him. Keith. He had found me.
His long black hair hadn’t changed, and even from this far away, I could tell he still wore the black leather cuff.
I swallowed dryly. What was I going to do? Right now, nothing.
I turned on my heel, hoping he hadn’t seen me and rushed back to my office, closing my door as I stepped in there. I turned to lock it just in time to see Melina and Becca follow me inside.
“What do you want to do?”
*
I looked at them. What was going on?
“There’s nothing we can do. They are just here enjoying themselves. At least, that’s what they will tell everyone.”
“We have to be able to do something—”
“What is going on?” I cut Melina off. Dean actually looked scared. “Does this … does this have to do with Jessica?”
Melina and Dean turned to stare at me.
All the color had drained from Dean’s face. I wasn’t sure what Melina looked like. I didn’t care. I kept my eyes locked on Dean.
“How do you know about her?”
“I found out … a little. I … I don’t know much,” I admitted. “But I know there is something about her.” I stood there, my eyes locked on him, standing my ground.
“You can’t get involved in this.”
“Why—”
“She’s already involved,” Melina whispered.
“No, she doesn’t have to be.” Dean spoke to Melina, not me.
I frowned anger nipping at me. I was a grown woman here. Why were they acting like I was a little kid? “Um, excuse me. You guys can’t tell me what I can and can’t do.”
“No, but I can fire you and end things between us. And I will if it keeps you safe.”
Melina gasped.
I didn’t break eye contact. “Is that what you’re going to do? Is that how little you care about me, Dean?”
He stared at me. “I don’t want to,” he whispered. “But you need to be safe.”
“And what about what I want?”
Melina cleared her throat. “You two need some time to think. I’ll … I’ll give you guys some time.” And without another word, she walked out of the office.
I could feel tears sting my eyes. “So, that’s how much I mean to you? You’re just going to up and break things off when they get a little rough?”
“You don’t get it.”
“Obviously, something from the past is coming up. I’m not stupid; I actually sort of understand what is going on.”
“Only sort of though.”
“Because you won’t explain it to me!” I crossed my arms over my chest and blew out a deep breath. “Why can’t we be in this together?”
“Because this isn’t your mess to clean up; what don’t you get about that?”
“I just want to support you, is that so much to ask?”
“You don’t get what kind of people I’m dealing with.”
“That’s not my fault,” I uttered, pacing to the desk. “I don’t know how I’m supposed to say it in a way you will understand, but I want to be involved. I want to help.”
Dean looked away from me. “I’m not sure I can let you do that. I’ve already ruined a lot of people’s lives. I can’t ruin yours; I care about you way too much to do that to you.”
I stared at Dean for a couple seconds. That was all I needed to hear. He cared about me; that was all that mattered, which meant I was going to do everything I could to help him. Tears pricked at the corner of my eye.
“Fine.” I took a deep breath, fighting back the urge to cry, and bit my lip. “I understand.” And without another word, I turned on my heel.
“Becca, wait.” I stopped but didn’t dare turn to face him. “I … I don’t want to end things with you; please, just give me time to sort this out. I … I really care about you.”
Why did he keep telling me that but still not let me help? I swallowed dryly. “Alright.” My voice broke as I spoke, reaching for the door and heading out.
I didn’t turn back to the lobby; instead, I went to the door leading outside. As I pushed open the door leading outside, I froze.
Melina stared at me, a smoke in her hand. She gave me a soft smile. “I know, it’s a nasty habit … I’ve been working on it but … with everything going on. With Keith here …” she swallowed as I stepped outside and let the door close behind me. “How did it go?”
For some reason, her question was enough to send me over the edge. A whimper passed through my lips as a tear ran down my cheek.
“Oh, honey,” The cigarette dropped from her hands, and she crossed over to me, pulling me into her arms. “It’s okay; he’ll come around.”
“I doubt it,” I mumbled into her shoulder as tears rolled down my cheek. The next thing I knew, I was full on crying as Melina hugged me. I gasped for breath, stepping away from her and wiping my eyes. “I just don’t get why he won’t let me in. I don’t understand what he could have done that would make him think I’ll hate him that much.”
Melina looked at me, and for a fraction of a second, she looked sad.
“You have to understand … we all have our regrets, and Dean’s haunts him … he feels like he made a much bigger mistake than he ever did, and that’s because of what people have told him. What people told him he did.” She paused. “He didn’t tell you anything, did he?”
“No.”
Melina bit her lip, looking around. “You have to understand … I can’t tell you his secrets. But you’re right, it does have to do with Jess … it has a lot to do with you; what do you know about her?”
“I—I know they used to own a casino together and that she died … that she was killed.”
“They were a lot more than business partners.” Melina’s voice was low. “And … well, I’m not telling you anything, but Jess had a big brother, a very protective one. And he … he’s never forgiven Dean. He thinks that Dean did it.”
“Do you?”
“No … I know Dean didn’t.” How? I opened my mouth to ask, but Melina cut me off. “But it doesn’t matter, no one believed it. The cops hardly did … Anyways, Keith … I’m sure you could find all this out on the internet if you looked hard enough … which if he asks, that’s where you found it.”
“I won’t rat on you.”
“I’ll kick your ass if you do.” She gave me a smile, but I believed it. “Keith is Jessica’s brother. His name is Keith Bright. He … he’s always hated Dean, even when Jess was … with us.”
“And what, he has it out for Dean?”
“Yea.”
I nodded. So why was she telling me this? What was I supposed to do?
“I know Dean said he was going to hire someone to look into it, but you’re right. The cops need to be called. Dean can’t do this on his own.”
“He doesn’t seem to care what I think.”
Melina gave me a smile as she looked down at her watch. “I’d better get back in there. Before he thinks we’re out here talking about him.”
I watched Melina head back into the casino before I pulled my phone out of my pocket and stared at it. I bit my lip. If this Keith guy blamed Dean for what happened to his sister … I thought about the article I’d seen the other day with Dean in the hospital. I wonder if he did that … I bit my lip staring at my phone.
Screw it.
I dialed the local police station and lifted my phone to my ear. It took three rings before someone answered the phone.
“Hello, Las Vegas police, how may I help you?”
“Hi, um …” I took a deep breath, trying to figure out what to say. “I’m not even sure if I should be calling you honestly … but my boyfriend … he’s been …”I paused and took a deep breath. “I think he’s in trouble … I think someone wants to hurt him.”
“Alright.” The girl on the other line sounded calm, and for some reason that made me feel better. “Where are you right now?”
“The Casino on 22nd Street. I … I’m not sure. I
t’s just …”
“It’s alright ma’am. You did the right thing by calling us.” Yea, I wasn’t so sure Dean would agree. “We’re going to send a couple officers down just to check in on things, alright?”
“Yes. Thank you …”
“Have a good night, ma’am.”
And with that, our conversation ended. I tucked my phone back in my pocket.
Fingers curled around my elbow.
“You really shouldn’t have done that.”
My heart skipped a beat. I didn’t know that voice. I could feel my pulse racing, thumping against my chest as I took a deep breath, willing myself to do what I knew I needed to do.
My heart racing, I spun to face the person who had spoken. He stared at me with almost black eyes. “Now.” He pulled me close to him, covering my mouth with his hand. “You’re going to do me a favor.”
I struggled to break free of his grip, but it was no use; his fingers tightened around me. I tried to scream, but his hand muffled it.
“I don’t want to hurt you, but I will.” I froze. “Are you going to behave and help me?”
I swallowed dryly. I knew the cops were on their way, which meant I just had to buy a little bit of time, right? That was it. That was all.
I nodded.
If I played along with what he wanted, if I pretended to help him, maybe he would trust me, and I’d be able to get an upper hand. I inhaled deeply.
“I’m going to let go of you, but if you scream, I’ll knock you out, got it?”
My heart skipped a beat. I nodded.
He removed his hand from my mouth and stared at me. For a split second, I got a good look at him. What caught my eyes was the scar on his cheek.
“You’re going to text your boyfriend and tell him to meet you out here.”
“I … I don’t think he’s going to reply to me.” I felt tears running down my cheeks again, not because I was sad, but because it hit me that I could get killed. “I … he just broke up with me. He told me he wanted nothing to do with me, and that he hated me.” Okay, that part was a lie, but I needed to stall.
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