“Maybe my style is changing.”
Anise had placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “I’m going to ask you one more time and then I’ll leave you alone. Are you sure you’re okay? You don’t seem the same.”
“I’m fine. I have a few days off. I just want to be with you and forget my responsibilities for a while. Is that allowed?”
“Honey,” Anise had said. “As you keep reminding me, this is Vegas. From what I hear, everything’s allowed. But you would tell me if something is bothering you, right?”
“Sure thing, sis. Just like you told me.” Dana tried hard to keep any remaining bitterness out of her voice, but it slipped out anyway. At the sight of Anise’s downcast face, she had reached for her hand. “I’m sorry. I promise nothing’s wrong. If there was a problem, I would tell you.”
The lie tripped from her tongue as smoothly as the Bailey’s had coated her throat.
She would deal with the repercussions later.
Dana smoothed a hand over the short skirt of her dress. If all went well, it would make a pair of green eyes sparkle.
She didn’t care what Anise thought. Tonight, she just wanted to laugh and smile and forget the world.
Alex Markov, here I come.
Chapter Six
The name over the Vice nightclub marquee said Covet. It had been chosen well.
As Dana approached, she held her breath, eager to enter. She’d been a part of Alex’s world for one night, not long ago.
She wanted to be a part of his world again, even if it was only for a few more stolen moments.
Others did too. At least two hundred people were lined up around the corner. However, Alex’s assistant Trevor had instructed Dana to go right to the bouncer at the door and bypass the line. Everyone eyed them as they headed there, probably wondering who they were and who they knew.
The bouncer, in conversation with another staff member, held the door open. Through it, Dana spotted a celebrity. An A-list action movie actor, the man held court just inside the entrance. His arms were around two women, one of whom was nibbling his neck, and neither of whom were his wife.
Jessica grabbed Dana’s arm. “Is that—?”
“Yup. That’s him.”
“Hmm,” said Jessica. “He’s shorter in real life.”
“Everyone’s shorter in real life,” said Bea.
Anise’s lip curled. “More importantly, he’s married in real life.”
Dana squeezed her sister’s shoulder. “Do you want to go somewhere else?”
“No. It’s just disappointing, that’s all. I’ve seen all his movies but I won’t be seeing any more. Imagine, playing the honorable family man on screen over and over when he’s keeping a couple of women on the side.”
Dana knew her sister didn’t care about celebrity marriages. Anise didn’t even read the rag magazines, but seeing such a flagrant display of infidelity would no doubt remind her of Roman’s betrayal. “If you change your mind, just say the word.”
“Okay.”
The bouncer finished up his conversation and turned to them. “Ladies. Welcome to Covet. May I have your names, please?”
Dana told them their names, wondering if this was the part where the guy would laugh and show them the door.
“Very good. Mr. Markov asked me to keep an eye out for you.”
So this wasn’t just some weird joke.
The bouncer waved to a beautiful woman dressed in a body-hugging black dress. When she approached, he directed her. “Viola, would you please escort these ladies? Mr. Markov’s expecting them.”
