“That’s the problem right there, Alex. If we do this, any of this, eventually I’ll want forever. And I can’t bear for you to look at me with regret a year from now. I have to be careful who I let into my world from now on. I can’t have another Tommy in my life. One was enough.”
“I’m not Tommy.”
“No. You’re better, and that’s exactly why I can’t get any closer to you.”
Alex was quiet, seemingly stuck for a response. She took the chance to flee. With a firm grip on her luggage handle, Dana hurried toward the entrance of Vice. She didn’t look back.
She kept expecting to feel a firm hand on her arm, but it never materialized. Only as the doorman grabbed her suitcase did she glance over her shoulder.
Alex remained where she’d left him. He stood absolutely still, shoulders back and hands at his sides. She would have seen his frown from a mile away.
Charming, youthful Zeus was gone.
The angry, vengeful god had taken his place, insulted by the actions of mere mortals.
***
Pulling his baseball cap low over his face, Bill leaned against one of the pillars in the lobby.
He now had a name. Dana Hamill.
As soon as he’d spotted the Hamill woman this morning, he’d recognized Markov’s elevator companion. When she’d checked out of the hotel, he’d sauntered close, pretending to talk on his cell phone. He’d been able to get close enough to hear her conversation with the checkout clerk.
“I’d like to check out please. It’s Dana Hamill.” She’d handed over her key card.
“And was everything to your satisfaction, Ms. Hamill?”
“Yes. Thanks.”
When she turned to look at him, Bill raised his voice. “Is this where I can book a tour to the Hoover Dam?”
The clerk said something else and Dana Hamill stopped gawking at him.
He had a name. That was really all he needed.
Once she left the hotel, Bill remained for a few minutes longer, keeping an eye on Markov. The man clearly had a thing for the lovely Ms. Hamill. When she left, he looked like a puppy dog who’d just been kicked. Markov had stood still for a few moments after she’d exited and had then marched down some other corridor.
Bill did a quick Google search and located the woman’s information, including her place of work.
He would have to pay her a visit soon. It didn’t take a genius to figure out Markov was sleeping with her, and in Bill’s experience, people revealed a lot of secrets while under the effects of the afterglow. What sorts of secrets did Markov share as he and Ms. Hamill shared a pillow?
He’d find out.
Chapter Twelve
No one told him running in Las Vegas was a bitch.
An avid runner, Alex had thus far been working out on the treadmills in the executive health club at Vice. Today, after his conversation with Dana, he’d wanted to hit the pavement the way he used to do in New York.
As soon as he headed outside, he realized the folly of his ways. Nobody ran in Las Vegas. They meandered, usually with their arms overloaded with shopping bags, or even while carrying the odd pitcher of beer. With sidewalks and escalators that directed foot traffic into the various casino hotels, it was impossible to run without knocking tourists over.
He certainly couldn’t blame the tourists. Without them, he’d be nothing. He just wished more of them had stayed home that morning.
Frustrated, Alex headed onto Park Avenue and circled the arena a few times. The scenery was uninspiring, concrete block after concrete block. Next time, he would have to drive somewhere off the Strip to find an adequate place to run.
Not that he cared right now. Today, he just wanted to push his body.
To punish his body.
