He studies my face before a cocky grin shows on his mouth, letting me know he’s two steps ahead of me. Motioning to one of the security guards walking around, he leans over and whispers something in his ear. The guard disappears into the seething mass of dancers on the floor.
“I’d never kick you out of my casino,” Charles says smoothly.
Suddenly, the DJ stops the music. “Attention, ladies and gentlemen. The bar is now closed. We’re sorry for the inconvenience. Any open tabs left at the bar are covered by Mr. Townsend.” The crowd cheers for the free drinks, but I just shoot Charles a death look.
“There are several bars across this whole casino, Charles. You can’t close them all.”
“I’ll close the whole goddamn casino,” he fires back, his hard jaw clenching.
I hate it because I know he will just to prove a point. He won, so I’ll be leaving the bar. I don't have the energy to fight him right now as I feel the full force of the drinks start to wear on me.
“Goodnight, Charles. My thirty days are up, and just like you did with the past thirty days, you’ve ruined this day too. You win. I don’t know why or what made my brothers agree to your contract, but I did it. Leave them alone, and furthermore leave me alone. I’ll be gone in the morning.”
Jumping down from my chair, I wobble a little from the effects of the alcohol. When I go to push past him, he grabs me by the arm to halt my departure, but I don’t look at him.
“Let go.”
He ignores my order. “What did I do to you to make you dislike me so much?”
Blackmail my brothers, make me want you when I shouldn't, be cold to me, treat me like a dumbass… they’re all on the tip of my tongue, but what’s the point? It doesn't matter anymore.
“It’s not important.”
“It’s important to me.” I glance up and see a look in his eyes I’ve never seen before. Maybe it was the martinis playing tricks on me because when I blink and look again, it’s gone.
“You had your chance to get to know me, Charles. I’ll tell you again, time's up.”
With that, I yank my arm from his hold and walk away. I should say goodbye to Tiffany, but I’m sure she’ll understand. I’m going up to my room because tomorrow things are going to change.
“Samantha?”
The piece of paper with the number scrawled on it is now wrinkled and being shredded shakily by my nervous fingers.
“Yes, this is Samantha. What can I help you with?”
“Umm, this is Mandy. I got your number from Stella.”
“Oh, yes, how is she? Well taken care of, I’m sure.”
I smile at that because it’s true. If only I could be so lucky. I want what she and my brothers have, and it’s time I stepped out of my box and tried something new. “Yes, she’s wonderful. I’m actually calling about myself. I’ve worked for the Cortez brothers for years; you might have seen me around?”
I try to think if I could ever remember spotting her before, but her face isn’t coming to mind.
“Yes, of course, I remember you. What can I help you with?”
“I was wondering if there might be an open spot in your auction.” My words are tentative and sound slightly scared. I’m terrified but desperate.
I can almost hear the smirk in her voice when she asks, “Do you like Halloween?”
Chapter Two
Charles
I cannot believe I’m doing this. Only for her would I come here again. The last and only time I’ve ever been to a mistress auction was to help torture the Cortez brothers.
“And here he is, the devil himself. Looking the part and all.”
Samantha looks me up and down, eyeing my costume. I’m dressed in all black, on my head sit two red horns, and I’m holding a dark red pitchfork. I thought the devil costume seemed appropriate as it’s what Mandy called me the entire time she worked for me.
“It just had to be a Halloween-themed auction, didn’t it?”
Samantha’s wicked smile is all-knowing, and I could chew nails at the sight of it. Samantha is dressed in black as well, but when she smiles, her blood red lips reveal fangs. “Everything is in place, Mr. Townsend. I look forward to our transaction after the auction is complete. Please enjoy your evening.”
I watch her walk away. As she reaches the door, she is stopped by Leo Ramsey. He’s a local real estate developer in Vegas, and he’s big money. He’s a nice enough guy, and we’ve done a little business together, but he’s clean whereas I often get dirty with my deals.
I watch as he leans into her. He’s wearing a long black robe, and as he goes over to her, he pulls the hood over his head, covering his face. I see them exchange a few words, and then he leans further into her, pressing her into the shadows. I look around and see that her security isn’t close by. I think about going over to make sure she doesn't need a hand. As the thought hits me, Leo steps back from her, and she disappears down a hallway. When he turns around, I lock eyes with him, accidentally giving him the okay to come over where I’m standing.
“Ramsey,” I say by way of a greeting.
“That’s not what it looked like.” His defensive words should have me second guessing him, but the look in his eyes shows me he means it.
“Not my business.” I turn towards the stage, dismissing him, but he continues to stand next to me. It doesn't matter what it looks like. If anyone can handle themselves, it’s Samantha.
“I mean that. I would never try to hurt her.”
I turn back to him and look him up and down. He’s the same size as me, and I’m not a small man. He’s got tanned skin, which I assume is a product of being in the Vegas sun all the time. He wears his dark hair long, and has a short beard which is unusual for men who lives in such a hot climate.
“Like I said, it’s not my business, Leo.” He knows I see everything and take mental notes. I’m kind of famous for it. If something is happening in this town, I know about it, and I’ve heard rumors of him and Samantha. Not that they’ve ever been together, just that he won’t quit chasing her. “One day maybe she’ll end up on the chopping block.”
He follows my line of sight to the stage and shakes his head. “Not if I can help it.” He takes a deep breath as if to shake off a thought before turning back to me. “I hear you’re looking for something specific tonight. I think we’ve all been informed several times.”
He’s referring to Mandy, and I clench my fingers around my pitchfork. “Goodnight, Leo.”
“Always a pleasure, Charles. Perfect costume, by the way.”
When he finally departs, I loosen my grip and lean against the back wall. The tables are all set, and I’ve got one reserved up front. I won’t sit there until the auction starts, and I’ve still got a lot of time. Time to stand here and observe, and time to brood.
Samantha knows exactly what she’s doing. She called me the same night Mandy asked to be entered into an auction. I broke a few things before I was finally able to calm down enough to plan. I had to have a plan. And I only had a week to make it work. Fortunately, money makes things move as fast as you need them to.