Free Taming Vegas by Nadene Seiters Page A

I read that she’s coming in early to help clean up
any messes. I text her back letting her know that the place isn’t as bad as she
thinks, but my face might be worse. With the end of our conversation complete,
I lean back in my chair and close my eyes for a mid-morning nap.
    ----
    The sound of the elevator door dinging wakes me with a
start, and a glance at my watch informs me that it’s quarter past eleven in the
morning. Wiping at my eyes gently, so I don’t tear the stitches above the left
one, I try to look like I was actually awake for the past couple of hours.
Unfortunately, it’s not the woman I was hoping would walk through the door, but
she’ll do.
    “I brought you a bagel with blueberry cream cheese and some
coffee, oh, you have coffee.” I shrug as she sits down across from me. Anna’s
face is contorted in worry when she sees the mess my face is in, but she doesn’t
say anything about it.
    “I could use more coffee.” I tell her as I sip on the
espresso. Anna shifts in her chair uncomfortably while I watch her, and then
she finally starts telling me what’s on her mind.
    “Listen, a lot of the crew here is upset about what happened
yesterday. They’re saying that you’re on the wrong side of Yatzi, and we’re in
danger here. Is that true, Alex?” I wonder how many of them won’t show up this
afternoon, and try to think of a game plan for when the club reopens. If I
remain shut down, it will only fuel Yatzi’s self-satisfaction.
    “Aren’t you in danger anywhere you work in Vegas?” The
expression on her face tells me that she’ll be one of the first to go. I don’t
blame Anna for the change in heart. If I were just an employee I might run,
too.
     

Chapter Five
Melanie
    No sooner am I in my room, my cellphone begins to vibrate
violently in my purse. I set it down on the grand bureau and try not to choke
when I see that it’s Oliver’s face on the touchscreen. I have two choices right
now. Option one would be to ignore Oliver’s phone call and just tell him I was
out of reception until I’m able to come up with a viable story as to why I’m
not in New York right now. Option two would be to pick up the phone and answer
any questions he may have with as little details as possible.
    As much as I like option one, Oliver’s going to be even more
suspicious if I don’t pick up the phone. So I slide the little green bar across
the phone to answer his call and try for my sweetest voice possible when I say,
“Hello?” I don’t want him to be suspicious yet.
    “Melanie! I stopped by the apartment today to see how your
hoard is doing. How is it going at your parents?” I fumble for something to say
and realize that the silence on my end is getting a little long.
    “It’s going wonderful! Dad’s talking about wine too much and
my mother’s having one too many glasses. It’s a regular old family reunion
here!” I wince at the false note in my voice, but Oliver doesn’t seem to notice
my panic.
    “That’s good, sweetheart.” I cringe when he calls me that,
and sit down on the overly fluffy bed.
    “How is work?” Oliver starts in on his long spiel about
getting into the law firm and settling down in his office. I make the
appropriate noises when necessary and remain silent during the other moments. When
there’s a lapse in time, I realize that he must have asked me a question, and I
try to think back to what it was.
    “I’m sorry, there was static at the end there. What did you
say?” I try not to stifle a yawn with my hand and wonder how I’m going to make
it through a marriage with this guy.
    “I asked you when you were coming home.” There is nothing in
his voice that makes me think he’s upset with me, so I go ahead and tell him
the truth.
    “I’m not sure when that will be. It’ll probably be two or
three more days.” I fib to him that I have a flight scheduled for tomorrow
because I’d like a day or two at my apartment alone after this adventure. There
is a lot