“Riley! And Alexei, it’s so good to see you again!” Chloe gushed, clasping both her hands around Sean’s. “I’m so happy youcouldcome.”
Her enthusiasm at seeing them again was a little overwhelming. It reminded Alexei of when his sisters would have their friends over for slumber parties when they were young. All high-pitched shrieking he couldn’tescape.
“Thank you for having us, Mrs. Wolcott,” Sean politelyreplied.
She let go of his hand and shook her head, tucking a wavy lock of platinum-blonde hair behind her ear. “Please, call me Chloe. After everything you did for us last week, I think we can be on a first-namebasis.”
“We’re glad to see you’re doing a lotbetter.”
“Yes,muchbetter, though I’ve decided New Miami isn’tforme.”
“I’d have to agree it’s not for useither.”
Chloe nodded. “Alexei did seem rather angry last week at the state you were in. You’re lucky to have such a devotedpartner.”
Alexei bit down hard on his tongue to hold back his initial rejection of that observation. It seemed like Sean’s keen read of a situation had once again been proven correct. Alexei didn’t know how he feltaboutthat.
“Yes,” Sean said after a brief pause, giving Alexei a sidelong look. “Iam.”
While they talked, Trevor, Annabelle, and Madison moved farther into the penthouse suite, quietly casing the place. Alexei noted the way both of Chloe’s bodyguards discreetly tracked his team’s movements. He wondered what the assigned bodyguards who’d lost Adrian and Chloe in New Miami had reported back to North Star Internationalaboutthem.
“Adrian sends his apologies for not being here to greet you, but he had an emergency business meeting he needed to attend. He’ll be free tonight. We’re having a dinner party in your honor atourhome.”
“Dinner party?” Alexei asked hesitantly. Mingling with a bunch of rich people sounded about as fun as chewingglass.
Chloe flashed him a smile. “It’s my way of sayingthanks.”
“You didn’t have to,” Sean said, quickly picking up the conversation before Alexei’s silence grew awkward. “Enjoying your hospitality here is more thangenerous.”
She waved off his protest. “You saved our lives. This is the least we can do. We added your names to the VIP list in all areas of the casino and we’ve extended to you a quarter of a million dollars credit line on the house toplaywith.”
If Alexei weren’t used to the way Jamie threw around his money from time to time, he’d have probably choked on that dollar amount. Sean, for his part, only nodded at hearing thatoffer.
“Thank you. I’m not a big gambler, but I’m sure we’ll have some funwithit.”
Chloe nodded, turning to Alexei with a teasing glint in her eye. “What about you, Alexei? Do you like togamble?”
“Blackjack,” he admitted with a shrug. “Good to passtimewith.”
Alexei heard the elevators arrive, and seconds later the bellhops came in with the hovercart. Madison reappeared almost immediately, dictating where the luggagewouldgo.
“Well, if you want to pass some time right now, you should join me out in the pool courtyard,”Chloesaid.
“Have ordered food,” Alexei replied. Giving up lunch sounded so unappetizing. “Can come downafter?”
“I’ll head down as soon as we’re settled and meet you there,” Sean said, countering Alexei’sexcuse.
“Perfect! The penthouse suite has two bedrooms. The master bedroom is in that direction.” Chloe gestured to her left. “I’ll be in the Aphrodite Pool, so come find me when you’reready.”
She waved cheerfully at them, sweeping out of the penthouse with Javier at her side and her bodyguards escorting them out. The bellhops left moments later, the door sliding shut with a soft whooshbehindthem.
“Time to clear the area,” Annabelle said as she came into the main living space, holding a portable electronics scanner inherhand.
The round metal sphere with three flat supports was about the size of her two hands put together. The device would scan the layout of the penthouse and make sure no bugs or cameras were planted before their arrival. If any were found, Katie would handle them remotely backinD.C.
“You should come to the pool with me,” Sean told Alexei as he headed for the masterbedroom.
Alexei followed after him, gaze drawn to the view of the surrounding casinos on the Strip through the many windows. The penthouse suite faced the street and front courtyard rather than the rear of the building. “Eat first. Swimlater.”
