Part of me regrets not bringing inUncailBroderick on what’s going on, but Jordon insisted we keep this between the three of us and the top three Bratva.He said that based on the communications he was able to hack from Johnny, we were the ones specifically named to be kept out of the loop.That means one of my lieutenants or even my uncle is part of this conspiracy.I doubt it’s Broderick.He served as my father’s counselor before my mother was killed.He’s married to myaintínEireen, who we unfortunately haven’t seen in years because of her struggles with mental health.She’s been in a special hospital since I was young.
“Boss, not only do you have your meeting later, but your uncle has requested time with you before the council convenes.You only have this evening available,” my personal assistant says as he steps into the room.
Hayes has been another trusted employee of mine, but until this moment, he’s been kept on the outside of the plan.I hated excluding him.He’s more than an assistant.He’s my personal bodyguard and a good friend.He and JJ have been close for years, long before he started working for me.I know they are members of the same exclusive club.They share similar fetishes.
“Okay, I’m outie.You’re going to be talking business, and it’s above my head.”Ro skitters out of the room.
“Let’s talk,” I say.
“Just a moment.”Jordon walks around the room with a handheld detector, checking for listening devices.
When he’s finished, he holds six small bugs in his hand.It takes everything in me not to crush them on the spot.This is my space.No one should be able to bug me here.This is my family’s home, for fuck’s sake.
Jordon holds a finger to his lips.
“Sir, should I call for an exterminator?”Hayes asks.
I realize he’s making small talk so whoever is listening in won’t realize we’ve discovered they’ve been tapping into my meetings.
Jordon carries the bugs over to the bag he brought in and carefully places them into a box.
“I think that would be a good idea,” JJ says.“One mouse means there could be a whole nest of them.”
“Do it,” I grit out, seething with anger.
Daria
Rehearsals forThe Nutcrackerhave been underway for weeks now, and as I rush out of the dance studio on my way to my part-time job, my muscles ache.Tonight, I need a hot bath and a good massage.I’ll stay at the casino instead of driving out to my mom’s house in Summerlin.I can use the facilities to get a massage, and the owners’ suites have those deep soaker tubs that would feel fantastic.
My black four-inch heels click along the sidewalk as I head to the parking lot where my new car waits.My brother usually insists I have a driver, but I put my foot down and bought my own car.I didn’t let him help me at all.I work hard for my money, and between two jobs and the tips I get from whales, I paid in cash and negotiated a better price.
I hit the button to retract the convertible roof on my BMW Z4 roadster, and “Dangerous Woman” by Ariana blasts through the speakers as I pull out of the lot.Several dancers have made their jealousy obvious, but I don’t care.I’m not into drama or petty bullshit.Besides, it helps that my brother is protected by the Bratva, and thus me too.No one would dream of starting shit with me.
I weave through traffic to get to the Lucky Dice before my whale arrives.A whale—one of the casino’s high rollers, usually a millionaire or more—expects to be treated well, which explains the generous tips.I make sure mine get everything they want.Well…everything except me.
I’ve been propositioned more than once, always on the sly.If Alek knew, he’d kill them.But he’s so focused on his new wife that it’s easy to get things past him.He has no clue how tired and frustrated I am.
Maybe I just need to give my pesky virginity to someone and get it over with.Or maybe it’s time for me to get out of this desert and run away from the Bratva and this life.
Before my mother and I moved to Vegas, we were hiding out in Laughlin.And before this year, I didn’t even know my brother.I knew of him, but we’d never met.His wife found my mother and me.We kept our distance from Alek because my father was killed over our parents’ relationship.My mother is an Italian mob princess, and my father was a Brigadier for the Bratva.
Moving here gave me a whole lot of family I never expected.First the Bratva, and now the Italians too.And even though I belong to both sides by blood, I definitely take after my father and brother more than my mother.My hair is almost white-blond, and my eyes are a pale, electric blue.
I giggle as I pull into the parking lot, tires squealing.What can I say?I’m twenty-two and full of life, for the most part.
When I first auditioned for the Las Vegas Ballet Association, they made me a soloist.But a couple months ago, I was promoted to principal dancer and given the coveted Sugar Plum Fairy role.I’ve worked hard for that position.
I only work three days a week at the Lucky Dice as an executive host.Sure, I got the job because of my brother, but I proved I deserved it.I’m good at what I do.And the whales all love working with me.
When I step out of the car, the roof finishes closing, and I hit the fob to lock it before heading toward the employee elevator.It’s a private, back-of-the-house elevator that takes me straight up to the top executive and security floor.
“Are you fucking serious, Dar?”my brother bellows from his office.
I walk toward him and lean up to kiss his cheek when he steps out.
“Always.”I giggle as I slip past him to my office at the end of the hallway.
I glance around the space as I go, taking in the security teams and all the monitors tracking every angle of the casino.
