Milo
I hadn’t been to Atlantic City since my senior year in high school, when a bunch of my friends and I piled too deep into a car, drove down, and used our fake IDs to get absolutely plastered.
The memories of the casinos, strip clubs, and partying were blurry at best. But I distinctly remembered waking up on the beach, sand in my eyes, up my nose, in my mouth, with no shirt, no shoes, and a tattoo on the back of my neck that my mother still gave me shit about.
I didn’t know how much free time I was going to have on this job, nor how long I would be in AC, but I wouldn’t mind the chance to let loose a little, have some fun memories to bring back to Navesink Bank with me.
The town looked more or less like I remembered. The same way Vegas did in the daylight, honestly. Which was a hell of a lot less glamorous than it looked at sunset and in the dark. But it had the usual busy beach destination charm that I was familiar with.
There were plenty of niche tourist shops, but many appeared closed, and it was hard to tell which ones were boarded up for the season and which were closed for good.
I knew the area had been struggling for years since the casino collapse, rapid unemployment, and the usual crime that came along with it.
Though as I passed several interesting eateries that hadn’t been around when I’d visited last, I wondered if maybe it could become more of a foodie destination, rather than gambling one.
I had to imagine Remo saw a lot of potential to make major money in the area, if he chose it over other towns with less of a population decline and more year-round appeal.
Maybe he liked that the crime rate was a little iffy in areas. And that there wasn’t a huge foothold with any large criminal organizations in the town anymore.
I guess the next few years would tell what his plans were… and if he could accomplish them.
My hotel was all gleaming windows reaching high into the sky.
“Nice digs,” Domenico said as he pulled up next to me in the parking lot while I was pulling my suitcases out of the trunk.
I’d never packed so heavy in my life. But when no one had any information on how long this job was going to go for, I figured it was better to have more clothes than not enough. I didn’t want to constantly be waiting for dry cleaning.
Domenico, it seemed, packed lighter. But he wasn’t like me, always wearing suits, so he probably fit a lot more in his one medium-sized suitcase and duffle than I fit in two suitcases, a messenger bag, and a travel bag.
“You moving in?” Dom asked, eyeing my setup as I stacked my suitcases and travel bag before slinging the messenger bag over my shoulder.
“I got the feeling that this might be weeks, not days.”
“Probably,” he agreed. “This is more shit than I had to my name the whole time I was inside,” he said, shrugging.
“Did you get an ocean view too?” I asked as we started to walk toward the front door.
“Yeah. Luca sprang for a suite with a living room and shit.”
We made it through check-in then took the elevator up to our floor.
“At least we’re not right next to each other. Don’t need to hear it if you bring someone back to your room.”
With that, Dom made his way down the hall to his room as I let myself into mine.
I was instantly met with a wall of windows overlooking the sea, making the very white suite feel less stark.
I walked into the sitting room featuring a few different chairs and sofas in shades of blue with a small kitchenette that included a small counter, sink, fridge, and a microwave.
I rolled my suitcases through to the bedroom.
The all-white theme continued, but the coffered ceiling, intricate millwork, and chandelier made it feel elevated and elegant. The tile floor had a subtle design in a golden shade, and I decided I immediately preferred the tile to the dubiously clean carpeting.
The bed itself was king-sized and offered a padded headboard, a seating ottoman at the foot, and lush linen bedding.
I left most of my luggage in the bedroom, taking only the travel bag into the bathroom.
Again, with the white. But there were crown moldings, millwork, mullioned windows, a soaking tub, and a deep shower niche. The floors and shower featured marble with light gold veining, and gold accents were on the knobs, faucets, and wall sconces.
