“Just looking for the nearest bar. This place sure is a maze.”
The man peered at him and then pointed toward the rear end of the lobby. “The lobby bar is just over in that direction and there’s another bar right by the casino.”
“Ah. You mean the one I walked past?” He chuckled. “Clearly, I need that drink. Thanks for the help, guys. Have a good night.”
Every hair on his body standing on end, Gordon walked away and out the nearest exit.
***
“Would you like to see any of those bracelets, sir?”
Bill Patterson gaped at the jewelry saleslady over the counter. “Come again?”
“I noticed you admiring the peridot charm bracelet. It’s one of our bestsellers. I can take it out of the case if you’d like to see it up close.”
Bill had only chosen that spot because it afforded a good view of the lobby. The small jewelry store stood at one end of the Vice lobby, not far from the administrative hallway. Pretending to appraise the various items, he’d seen Markov as he headed toward the elevator.
With his mystery woman.
“Are you shopping for a gift?”
Geez. Was the saleslady still babbling? “No. Just window shopping today. Thanks.”
Bill exited the shop and wandered toward the admin hallway. He dared not enter the hallway for fear of being discovered. However, when a couple of security dudes stopped a bald guy to give him directions, Bill hurried past them toward the elevator.
He quickly pushed a button but the elevator wouldn’t open. Only then did he realize this was Markov’s private elevator. He’d heard the man lived on site and must have taken up in Liam Doyle’s old digs.
Down the hall, the security guards finished talking to the bald man. One of them glanced in Bill’s direction. “Sir! This area is restricted.”
He waved at them. “Oh, right. On my way.”
Bill looked over his shoulder and spotted an exit door just beyond the elevator. It led into an alleyway.
The guards headed in his direction.
Bill raced to the door and pushed. Thank Christ it wasn’t locked from the inside.
The security guards broke into a sprint.
Bill wasted no time and disappeared into the dark alley.
Chapter Ten
As the elevator door closed, Alex moved Dana against the back wall and kissed her hard. He kneaded her breast over her bodice and bra, pinching her nipple. Shards of sweet energy shot into all her limbs.
Grunting, Alex reached over to the control panel with his other hand and hit a button. The elevator came to a stop but the door didn’t open.
“Is it stopped?”
“Yeah, but I can start it again at any time.” He grinned.
“You should be careful, unleashing that Zeus smile. I might disintegrate.”
“I think you’re overestimating my power.”
“Trust me. I know.”
Alex caressed her cheek. “You have the same power over me. Do you want me to start up the elevator?”
