Free Vengeance (Night Roamers) Book Three by Kristen Middleton Page A

glanced around the casino, wondering where Ethan and Duncan were hiding. As my eyes took a second pass around the room, I noticed the guy who wanted to buy me a drink was no longer at the roulette table.
    “Damn machine,” sighed Hilda. “Well, I’m done for the day.”
    “Oh, that’s too bad,” I replied. I had to admit, her grandmotherly presence had actually been comforting.
    Hilda stood up and grabbed her cane. “I’ve allowed myself a daily losing limit of one-hundred dollars. Today I went over by fifty, so I’m leaving before I spend tomorrow’s money.”
    “I don’t blame you.”
    She patted me on the shoulder. “Good luck , Nikki, and watch yourself. There are a lot of crooks out here in Vegas. A young girl like you shouldn’t be all by yourself, even in a busy casino like this. It’s dangerous.”
    “ Oh, I’m fine. I have friends looking out for me,” I replied. “And really, I’m not as delicate as I may look.”
    She smiled in amusement. “O f course, dear.”
    I knew she didn’t believe me. To her , I probably looked like a petite, young woman, one who was barely over five-feet and probably looked like a gust of wind could knock her over. But, with this new and improved body, I was a force to be reckoned with. Whether or not I’d have the guts to do it again, was another story.
    “ Thanks for the advice,” I replied.
    “You’re welcome, Nikki. Good luck on that machine,” she said, walking away.
    “Thanks.”
    For the next half hour I played the slot machine, while watching out of the corner of my eye for anything odd or suspicious. As I slid a five dollar bill into the machine, I caught another strong whiff of alcohol, and turned my head to find an older gentleman holding a drink, standing right next to me. From the way he was swaying, he was obviously tipsy.
    He smiled widely. “Winning anything?” 
    “Uh, nope,” I answered, trying not to gag. The guy seriously reeked.
    “Waste of money, these things are. But that’s why we come here, right? To throw our money away and enjoy all that Sin City has to offer.”
    “Right,” I replied, wishing he’d just go away.
    He took a sip of his drink. “Vegas, with all of its debauchery and wicked secrets. It lurks in every nook and cranny of this town.”
    “I’m sure.”
    He put a hand on my shoulder and I stiffened up. “I know what you are,” he slurred. “Make me one of you. Please?”
    Shocked, I pulled away from his grasp, and stood up quickly. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Please, get away from me.”
    “Is this man bothering you?” asked a deep voice standing behind me.
    I turned to find one of the security guards, a tall man with a shaved head and tattoos on his arms.
    “Yes, kind of,” I answered, grateful that help had arrived. Obviously my own help was nowhere in sight.
    “ Sir, you’ll need to leave the casino,” said the security guard. 
    The old man scowled. “I pay money at this hotel to use the casino. You can’t kick me out of here.”
    The security guard’s lips thinned. “I’m only going to ask you one more time before I assist you myself. Leave the casino, sir.”
    The old man waved his finger and raised his voice. “I’m going to issue a complaint. I haven’t done anything wrong, and you’re threatening me?”
    Crap, it seemed like everyone in the casino had stopped what they were doing to watch the show. I wanted attention, but not this kind. I kicked myself for not getting rid of the old man myself, using charm.
    The security guard grabbed the other man’s arm. “Let’s go.”
    “Get your hands off me!” sputtered the man as he was ushered away.
    Sighing, I sat back down at the machine and glanced at the clock on the wall.
    Eight o’clock.
    Still early in the evening for Vegas.
    I wondered if there was a full moon tonight and if it made the Lycans stronger. As I thought about this, I felt a presence behind me. I turned around and sighed.
    The guy who wanted to buy a