Her mouth lifts, then steadies.“I came to Vegas to be brave,” she says.“To prove I could be alone and not…come apart.And in a blink I’m married, there are men and women everywhere I look who answer to you, and now this place that I—” her eyes flick to the door—“that I already love.I’m happy.I’m terrified.If it all disappeared tomorrow, I don’t know what would be left of me.I don’t know if I’m strong enough to stand by myself.I don’t want to be ashamed of wanting this.”
I nod at the door.“UseMirageto practice being unapologetic.This place doesn’t report to me.If you need a room that’s not mine, this is it.Your editing work is yours, too.I won’t touch it.”
She searches my face.“And you?”
“My worst fear is you walking away.So I’m not going to pretend I don’t need you.And you can need me and still be brave.If you need space, I’ll give it to you no matter how much I hate it.You asked for more communication when I’m away; I’ll give you that.”I tap the keycard reader.“Your key can lock me out of this building.You own me as much as this place.Don’t you see that?”
Her shoulders unhook a notch.She looks at the pen like it might bite.Counts—five in, seven hold, five out—and signs in a neat, deliberate hand.
I call Adrian and though he doesn’t greet me, he answers before the second ring.
“Adrian, Melinda is good to be on everything with full owner access.”
“Already done,” he says in my ear.“Mavik’s working on the cams now and she should see that app pop up before tomorrow morning.”
“Good.Thanks,” I say and hang up.
We head back downstairs.Alma meets us at the aisle.
“Alma, this is Melinda,” I say.“Melinda, Alma is your general manager.”
Alma’s mouth curves.“Congratulations on your new business.Calendar’s tight through April.Monthly expenses and reports can be on your desk whenever you want them.”
“Monday,” Melinda answers, a little breathless, a lot sure.“For the past three months.”
“Yes, ma’am.”Alma steps aside.
Off her shoulder is Vince.
“Vince,” I nod.“Stage stays yours unless she says otherwise.”
“Yes sir,” Vince says.“I’ve got a Christmas theme I think you’ll love, Mrs.Ashenheart.”
To his right stands Mateo Ortiz.Beside him is his shadow, Colin Ward.
“Melinda, Ortiz and Colin work for Ashenheart Defense.They’ll run the security systems with Adrian and the bouncers unless you say otherwise,” I say.
Melinda glances at me and then at Ortiz.“I want the dancers escorted to their cars.Every time.I don’t care if you have to bring in more staff.”
“Every time,” Ortiz echoes.
A waitress whispers something in Alma’s ear and then rushes off.“Mr.Ashenheart, Mr.Orlov and Mr.Estrade just walked in,” Alma says.
Of course they did.
Kostya clocks me first; Dominic a heartbeat after.
“Cassius,” Kostya says, amused.“Nice room.”
Dominic tips two fingers.“You buy this place?”
“She did,” I correct.“Melinda, this is Kostya Orlov and Dominic Estrade.This is my wife, Melinda.”
Both men look at her, take measure.Respect shows or it doesn’t.With these two, it does.I smirk, happy I don’t have to kill them and obliterate the Accord.Leven would be pissed.
“You crazy fuck,” Dominic says.“You got married?”
Kostya takes Melinda’s hand.“Congratulations, Mrs.Ashenheart.It’s a pleasure to meet you.”He eyes me briefly before continuing.“The Bratva is at your disposal at any time.”
