CHAPTER 3: Dex Bradley
Tens of Billions
I don’t know exactly why I said it.
Maybe it was the way she looked at me when she bumped into me on the street. Her eyes were so sad, but the recognition was immediate on her end. It often is. I’m a pro football player. It took me a second to place her, though.
She’s not the quiet, shy, rather unnoticeable teenager who’d come over to hang with my littlest sister anymore. She grew into a gorgeous woman. She was made up for television, which might’ve had something to do with it, but they just highlighted whatever features she already had. I’ve learned over time that makeup can’t hide what’s inside, and despite her sadness when she literally crashed into me, there was something radiating from her that I don’t experience much in this town.
Innocence, maybe. Purity and kindness. Maybe a little slice ofhome.
I shake it off.
I think I just wanted Tawny to believe she’s leaving the kid in good hands, even if I’m not sure she is.
She looked shocked when I saidgirlfriend.
I was shocked I said it.
My phone rings again, and I know I can’t keep putting my dad off, so as I look through my dresser for the smallest T-shirt and shorts combo I can find, I finally answer. “What?”
“Hell of a way to greet your old man, but I guess it’s better than being sent to voicemail for the fourth time today.”
“I’m busy,” I say petulantly.
“I’ll be quick then. I assume Madden let you in on the underground operations?” he asks.
I freeze. “What underground operations?”
“The casinos.”
“Casinos?” I repeat. “What casinos?” I rifle through a drawer and find an old shirt that I know is too small for me, so maybe it’ll be okay on her.
“Mycasinos,” he says.
“What?” I choke as I freeze again, and I realize not for the first time how much I really don’t know a goddamn thing about the man I callDad.
“Madden actually kept his mouth shut, huh? I have an underground casino operation in Chicago. The feds are on my trail here, so I want your help starting one in Vegas. You have a ticket into the lives of the rich and famous out there, you know all the greatest places, and you’re already involved in underground gambling rings. Do this with me and I’ll make the bottom line very attractive for you. It’ll be your part in carrying on the Bradley legacy.”
“You know I can’t. I have a season starting in a few weeks, and I can’t get caught up in underground bullshit,” I say. “Besides, you’ve got the Vegas casinos to contend with here. The only way you’re setting up anything underground is with a hell of a lot of capital.”
“In the billions?” he asks.
“Tens of them, at least.”
“Done.” He’s flippant, and meanwhile, I’m sweating.
My brows crash together. He has that much money?
I feel like with tens of billions, all my problems could cease to exist.Allof them.
“I’m flying out at the end of the week, and I’d like to meet with you in person to go over the finer details while I’m there,” he says.
This is a terrible idea. I shouldn’t get involved. But I find myself struggling with my loyalties. My father is always droning on and on about the Bradley legacy, and he’s asking me a favor. The truth is that yes, I do know a lot of rich people in this town, and there’s probably something in this deal for me, too. “Fine. Text me your itinerary, and I’ll let you know when I can meet.”
I cut the call there before he can guilt me into more bullshit, and I grab a pair of boxer shorts and a shirt.
That thrill I was looking for seems to be hitting me over the head today.
