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“Yes, ma’am.” A few minutes later, the men had moved away from the area. Still, they were on the perimeter of the parking lot. I pulled out my wedding garment bag and slipped out the dress I had hidden behind it. It was perfect for pretending to attend a wedding. My plan was to escape as a guest. Most people did not know what I looked like, and that was a good thing.

After slipping on the dress, I checked the window again and then jumped out of it, landing on the grass in my bare feet. Thankfully, my heels were in my hand because the grass was soft. Tiptoeing away from the window and onto the pavement, I slipped on my shoes and slowly strolled through the parking lot where several of the guests were already arriving. I didn’t know any of these people. There were surprisingly a decent amount of guests for a wedding that had a week’s notice.

Funny that all these strangers could show up, but my mother couldn’t; it would have been hysterical if she had, only to see that I left the groom standing at the altar alone. I chuckled and hurried to the nearest vehicle, pretending to get in.

I was almost to the edge of the parking lot when one of my father’s lower level men stopped me. “Miss, the wedding is that way.” He didn’t recognize me. Good.

“I forgot my gift. I have to go back to my house or I’ll be shamed by the family,” I said.

His brows scrunched as he tilted his head and stared at me. “You look familiar.”

I laughed softly and said, “I should. Mariana’s cousin on her mom’s side.” Damn, that was quick thinking. I smiled, all the while sending up a silent prayer that he believed me.

“Yes, yes. Her mother was very beautiful.”

“Well, I should run back and get the gift.”

“Yes, you don’t want to upset the Rosetti or the Lupo family.” Lupo? I thought.

Still, it sounded familiar. Where had I heard that from? I know it wasn’t my father telling me about the wedding. It had to be somewhere else. Suddenly, I felt a heavy weight on my chest. It was the family that my father feared and despised. That was why he didn’t tell me the name. We hadn’t met them publicly because they were the richest, most powerful crime family in Las Vegas, and we were just middle-of-the-road wealthy. Why would my father toss me into that family?

I didn’t have time to think about it. The wedding was going to start shortly.

My maid contacted a friend of mine, and she ordered a ride service for me. It was idling just shy of the parking lot.

“Are you the ride share?”

“Yes, are you my pick-up?”

“Yes.” I gave them my friend’s address. “I appreciate this.”

Luckily the driver remained silent. Hopefully no one found my empty room yet; I needed more time and distance. I truly didn’t have a plan in order. I didn’t want to give my father any more reasons to be suspicious. “Ma’am, we’re here.”

“Thank you.” I reached for my purse and tried to give him money, but he refused.

“The ride was already paid for by Cassie.”

I smiled and said, “Thank you again.”

As soon as I jumped out of his car, I made a mad dash for the building. I knew Cassie’s entry code, so I easily got through the security door. I went to her apartment where she had a bag waiting for me by her front door. Scooping it up, I changed quickly into a pair of jeans, a tee shirt, and sneakers. I didn’t trust taking a shower there because time was of the essence. I left her place within ten minutes. My father knew who my few friends were, and it wouldn’t take long for his goons to come here, so I needed to get as far as I could before they realized I was gone.

I walked fast for five blocks before hailing a cab. “Take me to the cheapest motel.”

“Yes, Miss.” The driver led me to the Waterside Inn. I paid and left with nothing but the clothes on my back, the dress, and the purse Cassie left me with some of the essentials. Staring up at the worn-out façade, I sighed. “Waterside, my ass.”

This building was so far from the nearest lake it could kiss the mountains. The nearest water source was the broken fountain at the entrance. The chipped, painted brick was another sign that this was the worst place for a young woman like me, but I needed somewhere to rest while I planned out my future.

After five minutes of waiting, I spoke to the woman at the counter. “Please tell me you take cash.” The woman pointed to the sign, face sour and annoyed, as if telling me I’m an idiot for not seeing it.

“Thanks. I need a room.”

“For how long?”

“At least a day, but I’m not sure if I need more than that.”

“Fine.” Who pissed in her oatmeal?

“There’s a room available on the second floor. It will be ninety-seven dollars a night,” she added drolly. A fly circled her as she tried to type the information on an outdated computer screen. Another fly joined the mix, so I peered around the place and wondered if I shouldn’t have tried to get a better motel. Hopefully, the flies were the only pests. I shivered while I considered any other creepy crawlies.