“It’s intimidating, and that tends to work better than anything else to keep the rabble out,” Grayson said.
They continued through the neighborhood, and Cass couldn’t help but gawk. Each home was like an architectural masterpiece. “Holy crap. These places must be worth a small fortune.”
“And most are just Family summer homes,” Grayson said drily.
Okay, there can’t be that many wealthy Families in Vegas. “Not just local Families, I’m guessing.”
“You’d guess right.” He turned onto a road that curved along the mountain. “But a few of these are owned by various entertainment companies.”
“I’m sure that goes over well with the neighbors.”
They came around a curve and hit another gate paired with a call box. Grayson pulled up then turned to her. “Ready?”
She nodded.
He lowered his window and hit the button to announce their presence.
After a few moments, Burton asked, “Can I help you?”
“Cole, it’s Grayson Beck and Cassandra Alcmene. We were hoping to have a few minutes of your time.”
“Grayson, what a surprise. Please, come on up.” There was a click, and the gates rolled back.
Grayson followed the long drive up the ridge, where a stunning multilevel home came into view. Lights lined each level of the house, whose stairs stepped down the side of the mountain as if the place had been grown from the rock. If the intent was to blend the structure into its surroundings, it worked. The drive ended in front of a multicar garage, where they parked and got out. Together, they climbed the stone stairs up to the first-level porch, where a barefoot Cole in linen pants and T-shirt stood waiting, haloed in warm light from the tall, narrow windows that sat on either side of the open, heavy wooden door. Behind him was a foyer, its chandelier doubling as an art piece as it spotlit a massive framed painting of a desert canyon on the foyer wall.
Cole greeted them with a smile. “Evening, you two. Come on in.”
“We’re sorry to just drop by.” Grayson took the lead, shaking the older man’s hand.
“Not a problem.” Cole held the door and waved them inside.
Cass crossed the threshold then waited until Grayson came up behind her. He set his hand at the base of her spine as Cole closed the door. “We were hoping we could speak with you about a recent situation,” Grayson said.
Cole’s polite smile melted into a frown. “That sounds ominous.”
“It’s complicated,” Grayson said.
“Well, then, let’s chat.” Cole moved past them. “We can grab a seat in here.”
They followed him through an archway and into a living room done in muted earth tones and wood accents that managed to be both cozy and spacious. A cream-colored L-shaped couch angled around a low coffee table. To the right, Cass’s attention was drawn to a wall of glass that could be opened to merge the living room with the patio, which offered a stunning view of the dancing lights of the Strip.
“Cole, is everything all right?”
The question came from Dana, who was curled up in the corner of a second L-shaped couch that mirrored the first. Both couches faced a large fireplace paired with a built-in bookcase, over which hung a wall-mounted TV, the screen frozen in mid-explosion. Behind the couches was another wide opening, this one leading into a kitchen. A waterfall counter with four pub-style chairs sat lengthwise, guarded on either side by nooks filled with appliances and lit spaces. Behind it all was another picture window that framed the shadowed outline of the mountain. Clearly, Grayson and Cass had interrupted an intimate evening in.
“Dana, you remember Grayson and Cassandra?” Cole skirted the coffee table, where a half-filled tumbler and bowl of popcorn sat, as Dana extracted herself from the couch. He arrived in time to take her wineglass as she got to her feet.
“From yesterday, yes.” Upright, she brushed a hand down a feminine version of what Cole was wearing, as if smoothing out unsightly wrinkles. She gave them a polite, if puzzled, smile. “Hello again.”
Cass did an awkward finger wave even as a rustle of feathers drowned out Grayson’s murmured “Hello.”
Cass’s heart stalled as she fought not to react to the warning. Her skin chilled as she reached behind her to where Grayson’s hand still rested and curled her cold fingers around his wrist. He gave a small jolt and shot her a puzzled look. For a moment, she wished she could talk to him mind to mind, but that was just wishful thinking. She gave the tiniest shake of her head before turning back to the other couple. Luckily, neither Dana nor Cole was watching their exchange.
Dana reclaimed her wineglass with a soft “Let me just take that, darling.”
Cole handed her the glass then curled his arm around her, bringing her close. There was a pause, then with an ease that indicated she’d found herself in similar situations before, Dana waved her wineglass hand out. “Why don’t I just?—”
“No, please, stay,” Cass cut in, hoping her smile didn’t appear as fake as it felt. “We shouldn’t be long. We just have a couple of questions for Mr. Burton.”
