“She used to date this guy name Trenton.”That’s who Haven mentioned when Emilee was talking about Jasmine’s plus one.“She would slash his tires. Got him kicked off the football team for drugs.” My eyes widen. “Pretty sure she would have lit him on fire if it wouldn’t have killed him.” He laughs. “He was a prick, though. He would have deserved it.”
I chuckle. “Now I know why she and Alexa are friends. She can be crazy, too.”
He laughs just as his cell rings through the Bluetooth. He reaches out and pushes ignore, but not before I seeLucylight up the screen.
Interesting.“You can answer that,” I tell him, and he gives me a side-eye. “You know, in case it’s important. I understand,” I add.
He shakes his head. “It can wait.”
Silence falls over the car, and a thought hits me—Lucy Mason.After the conversation I had with the girls today, I did a little research before our date tonight. It wasn’t hard to piece things together. The girls didn’t mention her last name at lunch today, but all I had to do was search Grave, and I noticed the same woman popping up in pictures with him.
One was a mug shot of her, though. DUI. It said she was pulled over for speeding. That was just a few months ago. The comments below the article stated she was with Grave, and he is friends with a judge and was released on a technicality. Something about the cops hadn’t read them their Miranda rights.
I don’t know how true that is, and you can’t believe everything you read on the internet, but I believe that Grave has connections all over this state, if not even further.
We pull upto the valet at the Mandalay Bay casino, and a man opens my door for me. I thank him as Grave comes around the front of the car and takes my hand. We haven’t spoken since Lucy called, and I didn’t miss that he shut his phone off after that.
First red flag.
I stay silent as we walk through the casino, clueless about where we are going.
Grave walks with purpose up to a restaurant that reads Fleur in white letters across the top.
A man dressed in a black three-piece suit greets us. “Hello, Grave.” He nods and looks at me. “Ma’am.”
“Hello.” I smile at him.
He turns his attention back to Grave. “Your table is ready, sir. Follow me, please.”
We’re led to a round table in the back. Grave pulls out my chair, and I sit, thanking him. He takes a seat across from me, and I unfold my napkin, placing it in my lap.
My knees bounce under the table, my nerves creeping back. “Do you know everyone in Vegas?” I come out and ask.
“Pretty much,” he answers. “I’ve lived here all my life.”
“Owning a quarter of the biggest hotel and casino doesn’t hurt,” I add.
He smirks. “I was wondering if you did your research.”
I shrug. “A little.”
He arches a brow, his eyes on mine, daring me to say more. I want to, but not about his business. I want to ask him about Lucy. Haven’s tone made it sound casual, but I’m betting she doesn’t know the whole situation between them. I glance down at the table, unable to go there just yet. We’ll see how the date goes. Maybe tomorrow.
THIRTEEN
GRAVE
DINNER WENT BY fast. April had a few glasses of wine, but I stuck with water—I didn’t want to be impaired when I drove her home. I also haven’t had a hit yet today. I’m not even craving one.
We didn’t talk much during dinner. She was more focused on enjoying her meal than digging for information, and I like that about her. Whatever she wants to know about me, she can read online, which she has obviously done. The media has spun a few lies, but, for the most part, I’m guilty of their accusations.
“Oh, my gosh, that food was amazing.” April sighs with contentment, leaning back in the passenger seat.
“I’m glad you liked it,” I say, taking a quick glance over at her. Her eyes are closed, and a smile tugs at her painted lips. “Just how drunk are you?” I ask with a laugh.
She opens her eyes and tilts her head to look at me. “I’m stuffed. Not drunk. It takes a lot to get me drunk.”
“Not a lightweight, huh?”
