“I apologize about the welcoming committee. They just arrived.”
One of the reporters threw up his hand. “Mr. Markov! Shannon Dean’s father says you’re trying to run from justice by moving to Las Vegas. Any comments?”
“Jesus Christ.” Wade glowered at the man. “Show some respect, you pack of hyenas.”
Sticking close to Alex, Wade escorted him into the hotel lobby. A couple of guards from Wade’s team hovered at the door to keep the press out.
Once they got inside, Wade apologized again.
“It’s not your fault, Wade. The headline just broke. I figured it might bring the termites out of the woodwork. I’m used to it.” Only he wasn’t. Not at all.
“Still, it’s your first official day here and you shouldn’t have to deal with that crap.” The security expert peered at him. “Are you…okay?”
“Yeah.”
“You’re really pale.” He handed him a plastic bottle of water from a nearby counter. “Here. Take mine. I haven’t cracked it open yet.”
Alex nodded in thanks, opened it and drank half the bottle. His heartbeat steadied with each gulp. The coolness of the water calmed him.
“Gotta love the press,” said Wade. “They’re bastards, aren’t they?”
Alex managed a chuckle. “Not all of them. Just the ones who follow me around. Legitimate reporters don’t seem to be interested in my story anymore, just those pricks.”
“What the Dean family has been saying about you…it’s awful.”
“They’ve been saying the same things for a year now.”
“You should sue for libel.”
“I can’t do that, Wade. They’re grieving. I just wish they could move on. Thanks for the concern, though. And the water.”
“Sure. No problem.”
Alex blinked away the last of the light bubbles. “I appreciate you giving me the grand tour today. Do you mind if we start in my office? I could use a minute to stop sweating before I meet the staff.”
“You bet.”
Sweat or no sweat, they still had to walk through the massive Vice reception area to get to his office. Faced with the prospect of being on display, he tensed. However, the tone of the greetings changed once they were inside the casino hotel. In fact, Alex was met with numerous warm smiles and handshakes from staff members as they welcomed him aboard. In his first few minutes, he pressed the flesh of several front desk staff and their managers. He imagined he’d be shaking hands on an almost constant basis for a while. Even the wait staff at the bar across the lobby stopped in their tracks, colorful drinks poised on their trays, so they could bob their heads.
It was nice. After the onslaught at the door, he felt a little more at home.
Home.
Could he really make a new home here? He certainly couldn’t go back.
Several tourists pointed him out, unabashed. A few snapped photos.
“That’s the guy,” one of them said out loud. “The one who bought this place from Liam Doyle. They say he offed his girlfriend.”
Hearing the comment, Wade put himself between Alex and the tourist.
For crying out loud. Every time he thought he’d left the insanity behind, the Deans thrust it back into his face. He’d been trying to take the high road for some time, but it was getting harder to keep his feet from falling into the ditches.
Just don’t dignify the rumors. Once again, Alex’s father’s calm voice guided him.
As he and Wade passed a couple of female tourists, the women checked him out.
“Hmm,” one woman said, her gaze trained on his body. “Hey there. You’re even prettier in person, Killer.”
