Cashing Out

by Pierce, Nicolette

  “I don’t normally force my way into someone’s place.”

  Greyson let out a breath. “I think I have a lot to apologize for. To many people, it seems. But mainly to you, Nadia. I’ll talk to Fiona tomorrow about the role of an assistant director.”

  It was a start, but I’d rather see her fired. Canned. Axed. Dismissed. Ousted. Sacked. Given the old heave-ho.

  His fingers rose to trace a light bruise on my jaw. “You know how to keep a man on his toes,” he said. His fingers trailed, then were replaced by his heated lips, pressing a gentle kiss.

  There was no anger left, just warmth. Except for trepidation that this new beginning would end quite suddenly . . . with a confession.

  “Will you play at the casino again?” he asked, nibbling my neck. His hands ran down my back, drawing me closer.

  “I . . . I don’t know. It was rather embarrassing being kicked out. And then I went and got my butt served to me in the ring.”

  Greyson’s head lifted to gaze into my eyes. His gray eyes, which haunted me every night, were warm, like molten steel. “You did pretty well in the ring considering who you were matched against.” A smile hinted, then evaporated. “Nadia, I will do everything I can to make things right again. I’m sorry I wasn’t there to help. I want to hear the whole story. But not right now. I just want to hold you. Kiss you.” His rough whisper sent a delicious shiver through me as he lowered his lips to mine.

  As our lips parted slowly, lingering, I knew I had to tell him. I had to tell him about Ian. I knew I’d lose Greyson again. If I could bury the secret, I would. But it was bound to reach his ears. The truth was the only option.

  The painful option.

  I was on the brink of losing myself in the kiss. His possessive lips seared mine. His hands traveled, exploring to find the path to unravel me.

  I broke the kiss, eyelids heavy with passion, which clouded my every thought. Every thought except one.

  “Greyson, we have to talk,” I said, attempting to clear my head.

  He kissed the hollow place on my neck, whisking the air from my lungs. “I think we can wait just a little while.” He nuzzled.

  I pressed my hands onto his chest. “Greyson, I want nothing more than to kiss you. But there is something you need to know. Something that you . . .”

  He paused from reclaiming the space between us. “What is it?”

  “You’re going to hate me,” I said, willing strength to help me, cursing Ian for leaving so I had to tell Greyson on my own . . . for marrying me to begin with.

  Greyson pulled me onto his lap. His brow wrinkled with a worried look I’d only seen a few times before. I smoothed his brow before I settled next to him, relieving him of the awkwardness of having to remove me as he stormed away.

  “I have a feeling you won’t want to be near me when I tell you,” I offered as the excuse for the distance.

  “What could be so bad?”

  “A lot happened the night Dagor died. I was tired and drained.”

  Greyson reached to hold my hand. His fingers brushed mine as I continued.

  “And, of course, I had to work at the chapel. So, needless to say, I was exhausted by the time Ian walked through the door.”

  “Ian came to the chapel? Why?”

  “He couldn’t talk to you. Fiona made it impossible.”

  Greyson froze. His eyes focused on past events.

  “Remy asked Ian to return my phone . . . and so he did.”

  Greyson slowly resumed caressing my fingers, though I could see his thoughts racing.

  “He was curious how I knew you. He was even more curious how long-lost David returned.” I smiled. “You should have seen Mya when her eyes fell on David. There’s no doubt they love each other with their whole hearts. It was touching.”

  He smiled too. “They’ve been that way since they first met.”

  “Well, anyway,” I cleared my throat. “He obviously wanted to know more, and I wasn’t about to let him crash Mya and David’s reunion. So, when he offered to buy me a drink after work, I agreed.”

  Greyson stilled as though he knew the ending.

  “Frankie came with us. I don’t remember anything. I just remember . . .”

  I stalled. The words caught in my throat.

  “Finish,” Greyson demanded. His hand slipped from mine as he composed his armor, shielding himself from my words.

  “I woke up in your hotel with a marriage certificate and Ian lying next to me.”

  “You married Ian!” Greyson growled. He flew off the bed. “My hotel?! My bed?! Where the hell is he?”

  “Africa. David’s trying to find him.” I shrank away as Greyson’s anger surged.

  “Did you get an annulment?”

  “No.”

  He spun on me. “Do you love him?”

  His strong hands pulled me close and captive but did not hurt . . . well, not enough to make me wince. His cold, fierce eyes sparked hard like iron.

  I shook my head. “I only knew him for a couple of hours.”

  “That’s enough for some people.” He released me, shuttering his emotions.

  “Greyson, I’m sorry. It’s not like I planned to get drunk and marry your brother.”

  “No. But you did. And you didn’t get it annulled.”

  “Greyson,” I said, searching for words.

  “I think we’ve said enough.” He headed for the door. One fiery glance back and he was out the door.

  I sunk numbly on the bed. I lost him. Again!

  My arm flung out, toppling a defenseless lamp.

  Chapter 5

  “I don’t feel right about this,” I said, scanning the roads. “I know what it feels like waking up married to a stranger.”

  “Just keep your eyes peeled. It’s nearly time,” Lenny said.

  “Time for what?”

  “Time for us to hit the drunken jackpot,” he said, rubbing his hands together. “We’ll start at the bureau first. It’ll be feeding time as we head back.”

  “Do you have to make it sound predatory?”

  “Why don’t you test out the new sparkling wine dispenser?”

  “No, thank you.”

  “It wasn’t meant as a question. Start drinking or zip the lip. This is my livelihood.”

  Lenny pulled in front of the bureau. Armed with brochures, he gave me a shove out of the bus. “I expect you to round up at least five couples,” he ordered, scoping the area for victims.

  “I’ll try.”

  “You take that side. I’ll take this side. Remember to act pretty.”

  “I’m so glad I have you to remind me to act pretty since I’m not actually pretty,” I said, thick with sarcasm.

  “Not everyone can have looks,” he said with a swipe to his untrimmed mustache. “Some men might take a second glance at you with a proper dosing of alcohol.”

  “Says the man wearing a T-shirt with a tuxedo on it.”

  “There’s a couple now. Go sell your wares.”

  My arm might have flailed a little wide as I veered toward the couple, leaving Lenny sputtering for breath and me happy.

  I had the couple in my sights. They already had papers in their hands and were ready to get married. They weren’t even wobbling or slurring.

  “Hello, I’m from All Celebrities Chapel,” I said, handing them a brochure. “We’d love it if you’d choose us for your happy day.”

  The woman was about to respond when Charming swept the brochure from her hand, letting it flutter to the ground. “A beauty such as this must be married in luxury and style befitting a princess. My beauty,” he addressed the woman, “allow me to escort you and your prince to Fairytale Chapel in a carriage fit for such happy bliss. Your dream wedding is only minutes away.”

  She giggled with a blush. Her husband-to-be gave Charming a once-over but couldn’t say no to such a happy wife-to-be. They followed Charming to the pumpkin carriage.

  Charming turned back with a smirk. “My apologies, fair maiden. Luck i
s against you tonight.”

  And every other night.

  * * *

  “This was a dismal night.” Frankie plopped onto the waiting-room couch.

  “The Fairytale Chapel had their staff out in full force,” Lenny said.

  “They even went so far as to use Lenny’s tactics,” I added.

  “Luring random people off the street?” Frankie asked.

  Lenny sighed, “It’s a sad day when my tactics are used against me.”

  “The Fairytale Chapel has ten times the staff I do,” Frankie said. “There’s no way we can blanket the town like they can. We need a new strategy.”

  “Maybe their staff will only flood the streets on the weekends. Perhaps we can beat them during the week to cover the difference,” I said. “I’m sure we can get Mya to help.”

  “It’s a thought,” Frankie puzzled. “You contact Mya and anyone you can think of to help. I’ll come up with a promotional gimmick. Lenny, think about how to make the bus more alluring.”

  “It’s got lights, music, and free sparkling wine. I don’t know how much more alluring I can make it.”

  “We’re a vacation hot spot for gambling and drinking. You already have drinking covered. Try something with gambling,” Frankie suggested.

  Lenny’s eyes lit up. “I have just the thing,” he said, racing out the door. “I’ll have it ready tomorrow.”

  “This could be bad,” I said.

  “We have to play all angles until the competition is over. Let’s see how his idea works tomorrow night.”

  * * *

  The next day, I headed to Sergio’s moped to scope out different casinos. I should probably start referring to it as my moped since he left it for me to use and I doubt he’s coming back.

  “Ms. Nadia Wolf?” a man asked with a pleasant accent I couldn’t place. When I nodded, he said, “I am Teteh Kamara. I am with the Sierra Leone government.” He held out his hand for me to shake.

  I shook the offered hand. “What can I do for you? You’re a long way from home,” I said taking in his accent, white flowing outfit, and darkened skin that brought out a pure white smile. I had a feeling he was here about Ian. Why else would an African government employee be standing in Frankie’s parking lot?

  “I dislike having to be so straightforward," he said. "I am here about your husband. Do you know where I can find him?”

  I shook my head. “Why do you need him?”

  “It’s a delicate matter. I’d rather not discuss it in the open. Do you know how I can get in touch with him?”

  “I hate to admit it, but I don’t really know Ian. I don’t even have his phone number. We were only married a day before he took off to Africa. I don’t know where. I’m assuming Sierra Leone, since you’re standing here and he’s not.”

  Surprise flashed on his face before he asked, “You have arranged marriages here?”

  “No. Just stupid people. Needless to say, I haven’t heard from him since we married three months ago. I don’t expect him to contact me anytime soon.” My thoughts briefly remembered the postcards, but they wouldn’t help the man find Ian. “Should I give him a message if I hear from him?”

  “Do you have a moment to speak privately? I’ll tell you the story.”

  “There’s a story?”

  “There always is. It won’t take up much of your time. Perhaps, given the facts, it might open a way to help Ian."

  “I’m heading to a casino right now. Why don’t you follow me? There’s a café close by where we can chat for a while.”

  He nodded his assent. “Would you care to ride with me?”

  I eyed the air-conditioned luxury sedan. “Thank you, but I have to drive there anyway. It’s only a few minutes away.”

  * * *

  My jaw dropped to Grand Canyon depth. “What do you mean Ian stole a necklace? It must be a mistake.”

  The man gave a small smile as though he’d heard that statement countless times before. “The Matahari necklace is not just a necklace. It was mined on private land that is known for its beauty. The diamonds there are few and far between. What they lack in quantity they make up for in exquisite quality. The diamonds on the necklace are so large and rare, it’s worth more than fifteen million. It is one of the most expensive necklaces in the world.”

  I sputtered into my coffee. “Fifteen million dollars? US dollars? Do you have a picture?”

  “Unfortunately, no. The owner had it mere days before it was stolen.”

  “Then how will you know if you find it or not?”

  “If you saw it, you would know. It’s like no other necklace in existence. If I had to describe it, I would say it looks as if a sun and rainbow collided.”

  “And you think Ian stole it?”

  “Beyond a doubt.”

  “Who did he steal it from?”

  “Vevina, a radiant actress, soon to be married to the president. It was her engagement gift.”

  “All I got was a plastic vending machine ring. And I had to get married for it.” I plunked the pink ring on the table for emphasis. I have to wonder why I keep it in my pocket like a charm of . . . stupidity. “Tell me, why would he steal it?”

  “It’s been heard that Vevina and Ian were lovers. Perhaps jealousy. Perhaps . . .”

  “Perhaps, what?” My stomach knotted thinking of Ian and Vevina as lovers. Not that it had anything to do with me. As things stand now, I’m stuck with the pain in the ass until he returns. Now it looks as though he’ll never return.

  “There are whispers of a thief that roams Africa and beyond, stealing only the most exquisite and rare items.”

  I swallowed hard. I was told Ian traveled to faraway places. Never stopping. Never working. Is this how he funds his travel?

  Teteh passed me his card. “If you hear from him, please call me. I’ll be in the area for a while looking into other leads.”

  I pocketed the offered card and watched as he departed. Thoughts swirled through my mind; none of them had a chance to settle before I shook them out and headed toward the casino.

  It’s not my problem.

  * * *

  “How was Desert Dave’s?” Frankie asked.

  “Horrible,” I threw my purse onto the chapel couch. “The chairs are so old it feels like I’m falling through them. Something kept poking me too. I told myself it was a broken spring so I wouldn’t freak out.” I shivered. “And the dealer kept calling a timer on me, which is completely bogus!”

  Frankie sighed. “Back to the drawing board. Can’t you put aside your pride and beg Greyson to let you play at Lost City?”

  “Absolutely not! I’m not crawling back to him after he acted like a complete jerk.”

  Frankie eyed me as he straightened chairs. “Doesn’t everyone act like a jerk at one point or another?”

  I chewed on my lip. “I told him.”

  “About Ian?”

  I nodded.

  “How did he handle the news?”

  I sunk into a chair.

  “That bad, huh?”

  “Worse.”

  * * *

  “It’s Saturday night!” Frankie exclaimed, pacing the waiting room floor. “We have to make this night count! Mya, you ride with Lenny. Hopefully you can persuade more customers than Nadia did.” I narrowed my eyes. “Nadia, I have posters, flyers, brochures. Flood Vegas with them. Tape them up. Pass them out!”

  That assignment was much better than having to ride with Lenny. Poor Mya.

  “Dani, you’ll stay with me. Vivian and Bernie will be the witnesses as usual.”

  “What do we do if Charming steals our customers?” Lenny asked. “Am I allowed to . . .” He swept out his hands with open palms suggesting his willingness to do anything to stop Charming.

  “Charming must have a weakness,” Frankie said. “Dani, dig up information on Charming. I want to know everything about him.”

  “We could just tie him up somewhere for the night,” Lenny said.

  “We’re not a
bducting him!” I said firmly.

  Frankie nodded. “No abductions, but perhaps he’s allergic to something. Dani, report back as soon as you can.”

  “Can we think of something that won’t harm him?” I sighed.

  “Why? You got a thing for him?” Lenny asked.

  “I don’t have a thing for him, but I don’t want him hurt either.”

  “Do you have a suggestion?” Frankie asked.

  “Do you think he could be distracted?”

  “Like with a fair maiden?” Lenny asked, eyeing Mya like a plate of bacon at Sunday brunch.

  “I have the perfect fair maiden outfit,” Frankie said, bolting upstairs and returning with a costume in hand. “Behold! The slutty bar wench!”

  Mya eyed the garment. A smile played on her lips. “I’ll wear it. But I’m not kissing him or anything. I’m happily married and want to stay that way. Plus, if David found out, he’d flatten Charming.”

  “It’d get him out of the way, at least,” Lenny said.

  “Nadia, why don’t you wear it?” Frankie asked. “It’s not like you have a man who’d be jealous.”

  “I’m married too,” I argued, not wanting to wear the costume.

  “You should do it, Nadia,” Mya said with a giggle. “It’s not like Ian’s around, and you don’t want to be married to him anyway. Maybe Greyson will drive by and see you.”

  “I’m not dressing as a slutty bar wench for the off chance Greyson might drive by and see me. He’d think I’m crazier than he already does.”

  “We’ll put it to a vote,” Frankie said. “All those who want Nadia to wear the costume raise your hand.” Everyone but Lenny and I raised their hands. “And those who want Mya to wear the outfit?” Lenny and I raised our hands.

  “Nadia wins.” Frankie handed me the garment. “Go change.”

  I didn’t feel like a winner.

  “Dani could wear it,” I said. “She’s single and pretty.”