Killer. Nice. He hadn’t heard that one in a while.
Put it out of your head.
He didn’t have time to wallow in the unfounded opinions of strangers.
He was here to start over and he wouldn’t let anyone stop him.
As far as Alex was concerned, his sole reason for living right now was his hotels. It was time to start making some improvements around Vice and he couldn’t wait to get started.
Of course, one could argue Vice, the newest and grandest of his three Las Vegas casinos, needed no improvement. Neither did its sister properties, Sin and Luxe. In many ways, the former owner’s tastes matched Alex’s. His friend Liam Doyle had done a fantastic job, but that didn’t mean Alex didn’t want to put his stamp on the three hotels. After all, it reinforced the sense of ownership. Every new homeowner gave his house a fresh lick of paint.
Alex had a few licks of his own in mind, which was why some rebranding was in order. Nothing drastic, but a clear shift in a new direction.
His.
As proprietor and operator of Vice, Sin, and Luxe, he was now in charge of the Strip’s busiest casino hotels. There were moments when he still didn’t believe it. The deal with Liam had been so quick and easy. Granted, he’d never known such a motivated seller as Liam.
He hoped his old friend would be happy with his girlfriend, Kate. Alex didn’t know exactly what went on between the two, but it had been important enough that Liam had changed his entire life around.
Being a good businessman, Alex had come in with a reasonable offer for the casinos, knowing there were other offers on the table. Friendship or no friendship, he’d expected a shrewd man like Liam to force him to up the stakes.
But he hadn’t. He’d taken Alex’s first offer.
Even as their lawyers completed the paperwork, Alex had called Liam on it. “You know you could make more money on these properties. Why didn’t you counter my offer?”
“Because it was fair and because I trust you,” Liam had said. “I know you’ll take care of them. Besides, I just want it done. The casinos are my past.”
“And Kate is your future?”
“If she’ll have me.”
Amazing. Liam had completely transformed his life and business, all for the love of a woman.
Alex had been seeking his own sort of transformation when he’d taken Shannon on that trip to Bermuda a year and a half ago. Unfortunately, life had other plans for them.
His transformation would begin today instead.
Liam’s change of heart had worked to Alex’s advantage. The casinos would provide financial security. Liam had been clear about that. Alex would have to fuck up in a major way to end up in the red. However, bad things happened all the time. Businesses closed every day, even Las Vegas businesses, and he’d be a fool to think himself immune.
Still, as Liam had made clear, the house always won. Alex wasn’t used to that concept. A nightclub owner and developer, he’d always lived with the reality of financial instability. There was always a new club springing up, new competition. His customers, as a species, grew bored easily. They were always in search of the newest, brightest diversion. Like kittens with ribbons, they could be led astray.
Casino customers were a different breed. In this business, there was a sort of brand loyalty, even if much of it stemmed from the fact gamblers liked to sit at the same slot machine every time they played. All he really needed to do was keep the gamblers happy and provide entertainment for the non-gamblers.
As it happened, Alex knew all about providing entertainment.
Wade led him down the administrative hallway toward the executive elevator. “So this place has been buzzing with the news of your arrival.”
“Oh, yeah? I hope the buzz hasn’t all been bad.”
“You know how it goes. New boss and all. I think some staff members have been nervous.”
“I’m glad the change in ownership hasn’t scared you away.”
“Who, me?” Wade scoffed. “I’m not scared of anything.”
“Really?” Alex teased. “Liam told me you were afraid to kick Kate off the property.”
Wade rolled his eyes. “Mr. Markov, if I had kicked Kate off the property, Liam would never have lived happily ever after. Besides,” he said, grinning, “she’s his problem now.”
