The big man smiled. “I get ya. Let me alert the team and I’ll show you around.”
“No chance of me getting away on my own for a bit?”
“Not if I value my job. Liam left strict instructions to cover you at all times.”
Ignoring the sudden flutter of nerves at the mention of Liam, she closed the penthouse door. “Well, I guess some company would be nice, too.” She deposited her key card in her wallet and heard Wade on his walkie-talkie, detailing their whereabouts to whoever was on the other end. Then he pulled out his cell phone and quickly texted someone.
“Who are you texting?”
“Liam.”
Of course. “Why?”
“He wanted to know when you left your room.”
“Surely he doesn’t need to know every time I pee.”
Wade suppressed a grin. “Something tells me the busy man will still appreciate knowing.”
Soon she was walking the casino floor, observing some of the customers with Wade in tow. It was easy to spot the gaming addicts from the various expressions on their faces—ranging from vacuous to obsessed. Each turn she took around the great room made her feel a little sadder. However, there were plenty of people there who just wanted a good time. Newly-married couples, singles on vacation. She even spotted a few who looked familiar. She suspected some of the ones wearing shades were celebrities. Liam certainly had a varied clientele. They weren’t all compulsives, either. Most just wanted to have a little fun.
For the first time in her life, she regretted taking such a hard stance on gambling. Who was she to judge everyone for the failings of a few? Addiction was inside us, and one way or another it tried to find a release. If she searched hard enough, she could probably find an addiction in everyone.
She certainly had one, a tall man with an intense gleam in his eyes.
They turned a corner and moved into an alcove with endless rows of slot machines. Kate noticed a man sitting at one, and something about his sandy hair made her look twice. She took a few more steps until she could make out his face.
Donny.
Lisa’s husband sat transfixed in front of the slot, his hand hovering over the various buttons. She cleared her throat, hoping to catch his attention, but nothing short of a crumbling sinkhole under him would distract him from his game.
She moved toward him but Wade put a hand on her arm. “You know that guy?”
“He’s my friend’s husband. I just want to say hi.”
Wade frowned and pulled out his cell, murmuring something into it. Ignoring him, she approached Donny and smiled. “Hey, Donny.”
He didn’t look up.
“Donny?”
“What?” He stared at the machine, frowning, and then pulled out his wallet to count his cash.
“Donny, look at me,” she said in a louder voice. “Lisa’s worried about you.”
His head snapped up at the mention of his wife. Donny’s lip curled, his usual greeting. He didn’t like Lisa going to New Horizons and hated her association with Kate and the other members. “Shit. Did Lisa send you to spy on me?”
“No, of course, not.”
“Then piss off.” He turned back to the machine.
“Look,” Kate said, “maybe we could pop over to one of the cafes here and grab a coffee. You look like you could use one and, frankly, so could I.”
“I don’t want a coffee.”
“Okay, a sandwich, then. Are you hungry?”
Donny growled.
