One big win would help so much.
But he needed cash to place a bet.
Sweating, he walked up the Strip. Vice loomed before him, the taxi bay alive with activity as customers got in and out of cars. Alex’s palace. The entitled golden boy probably loved sitting on his throne, passing judgment.
His cellphone rang. He was tempted to let it go to voicemail but when he realized the phone company would likely cut off his service soon, he figured he’d better answer. “Pierre here.”
“Is this Pierre Dubois?”
“Yeah. Who’s this?”
“My name is Gordon Dean and I need your help.”
Dean. Why did that name sound familiar? “What kind of help?”
“I have a little problem with Alex Markov. I need some information.”
“Problems with Alex? Get in line. And by the way, my help doesn’t come free of charge.”
“If you give me the information I need, I can pay you.”
“You’ll have to be more specific.”
Dean told him what he wanted, giving him a figure.
“I’m going to need you to transfer some funds before I say a word.” He gave Dean the email address attached to his bank account. Within seconds, he received a notification that funds were being transferred. Four figures worth of funds.
“Well?”
It was just an address. Pierre wasn’t hurting anyone. And with the money Dean had just transferred, Pierre could return to the Nugget and win everything back. He gave him the address on Dean Martin Drive.
“Thank you,” said Dean.
“Hey, it was nice doing business with you, Gor—”
Dean hung up.
Pierre ignored the burn of guilt in his stomach and headed toward the Golden Nugget.
Chapter Seventeen
It had been over a week and the cops still hadn’t found Bill Patterson. When police went to his apartment, they’d found it empty. The landlord said Patterson had just picked up and left.
Not knowing the paparazzo’s whereabouts made Alex sweat at night. He could handle unpleasant confrontations, but Dana didn’t deserve to be treated with the same lack of respect.
Nevertheless, there had been no other incidents that week. Alex had shared Dana’s space and her bed, traveling to Vice whenever he needed to. She’d worked from home as well, availing herself of his drivers when she had to meet with clients. Despite Pierre’s departure, there was no shortage of staff to drive them around town. He employed a number of drivers, as many of their high rollers appreciated shuttle service from time to time, so there was always someone available to help Dana with her transportation needs.
Aside from concerns about Patterson, it had been an incredible week. Alex and Dana had coexisted beautifully, caught up in the excitement of a new relationship and unrelenting sexual hunger. Alex couldn’t get enough of her. Having her fall asleep in his arms every night was a pleasure he never wanted to deny himself again. Waking up with her was even better. There was nothing as sweet as rolling over to see her face on the pillow next to his.
She had a cute morning routine. As she slowly woke up, she mumbled and rubbed her eyes. She would stretch her legs, sliding her toes up his shin. Upon whispering his name, she would open her eyes and look at him for the first time each morning.
On their third morning together, emotion put a stranglehold on Alex.
He’d fallen in love with her.
He knew exactly when it had happened too. There had been one evening when they’d been working from home. He’d stared at the same email for some time, caught up in concerns about Patterson. For one moment, Alex had allowed himself to imagine how he’d feel if something bad happened to Dana.
The turmoil of that moment had made him realize he would always put her safety ahead of his.
