“Tyler and I…”
We what? We’re a thing? We’ve known each other for ages, so it’s okay for us to hook up in a housekeeping closet? What the hell was I thinking?
Haden waves her hand. “I don’t want to hear it. I have to let you go, Mira.” She run her fingers through her hair and holds her head. “But I don’t get it. Couldn’t you take it outside, do it on your own time? Why here?”
“We—it’s not the way it seems. I mean, it is. I’ve been trying to take things slow with Tyler, but then those men came into the suite. I was scared and Tyler was comforting me…I’m making it sound worse, aren’t I?”
Hayden holds up her hand. “Back up. What men?”
“The last suite you sent me to. The one you tacked on to the list. There are illegal drugs in there, Hayden.”
Hayden stands and rounds her desk, plopping into the seat beside me, her face serious. “What are you talking about?”
I take a deep breath to calm my nerves. I’ve lost my job. Nothing I tell her will change that. Not that I’m responsible for what I saw in the suite. In fact, Tyler made a good point. I don’t need this in my life. The things Blue Casino is involved in—the drugs, and who knows what else? What if what goes on in that sex suite isn’t consensual?
“Security amped up their personnel for the festival. Tyler’s team could spare him, so he joined me on my errands to the suites. I guess he didn’t want me going alone after my confrontation with Drake.”
“I heard about that.” She shakes her head. “I’m so sorry he came after you. That man is insane and he isn’t coming back. I received verbal confirmation from the CEO. Even if Drake gets off legally, which I highly doubt he will, Blue Casino already fired him.”
That’s all well and good, but after what I saw tonight…“Drake is crazy and horrible, but what if there are others? People more powerful than he was who are using the casino as a shield? You told me early on that you didn’t trust your coworkers. I’m wondering if the drama around Drake’s arrest might also be some kind of smoke and mirrors to hide other things going on at the casino.”
Hayden’s phone buzzes and she checks the number. “I’m not sure I understand what you’re saying, Mira.” She types out a text. “As far as I’m concerned, we had a psychopath in a leadership position who manipulated others and took advantage of young women. He’s gone and we can move on now.”
Hayden sets her phone down. “I don’t like the men Drake worked with, but they haven’t caused me more than minor irritation so far. It’s baseless for me to assume they are like Drake.”
“What about the drugs?”
“If the celebrities in the suites bring in their own?—”
“No. This wasn’t a celebrity suite. It had a built-in sex room, plus stores of drugs and hypodermic needles. It was a permanent setup. And when the men came in with the Blue Casino signet rings, they talked about relocating it?—”
“What?” Her body goes completely still.
“Tyler found the drugs and was trying to get me out of there when two men showed up. We hid behind furniture and listened to them talk. They were packing up like crazy, with the intent to relocate everything to another room by this evening. They seemed concerned about a breach. Maybe because of the Drake situation?”
“Fucking hell.” Hayden slams her fist on her desk.
Whoa, never heard Hayden swear before. But, yeah, F-bombs are in order.
“Did Jessie know about this place?” Hayden isn’t looking at me. She’s staring away as if thinking out loud.
Jessie must have known since she had a folder for the suite in her office.
“I’ll leave, Hayden.” I stand. “You’ve got a lot to deal with, and I’ve made this night worse. I’m so embarrassed about the closet. All I can say is that I was freaked out and Tyler was comforting me and, well, we got a little too comfortable. I’ll fill out whatever forms you need me to and pick up my things another day, when the casino isn’t so crazy with the festival. I’m really sorry about tonight.”
“No.” Hayden shakes her head. “Don’t go. Screw this place. So you kissed your boyfriend.”
“He’s not my?—”
“Who hasn’t made out in a storage room?”
“Um, o-kay?” That’s too much information about my conservative, put-together boss.
“I need you tonight. I’ll talk to security. Make sure they keep this between us. And if they don’t, I’ll talk to management and convince them it’s in their best interest not to piss me off.”
“Whoa. Like blackmail? Hayden, this is crazy. You could quit. Blue Casino is possibly dangerous, and definitely unhealthy. Believe me when I say I know a thing or two about unhealthy.”
She stands and paces the room. “No way. I’m not running this time. I’m going to stay and fight.” Hayden stops and faces me. “Are you with me?”
