“Why doesn’t Rock stay?” Zee asked. “I heard he was the CEO.”
Yeah, in name only. My father’s little dig still stuck firmly in my craw. But it wasn’t Rock’s fault. I kept telling myself that, though it didn’t take the sting out. At all.
“He is,” I said. “But I’m the COO. I’m in charge of operations.” And my big brother doesn’t have a clue how to handle contractors and lawyers.
I kept the last part to myself.
“Yeah,” Riley said. “The rest of us have to get back, as we’re all persons of interest in our father’s murder investigation.”
“And you’re not?” Zee said to me.
“Oh, I am, but someone has to see to business. I’m only a plane ride away if I’m needed in New York.”
“So Reid will be here for you.” Riley pulled out a card. “Did I already give you my card? If not, here it is. My cell’s on it. Call me if you need anything. I mean anything.”
Nice touch, Sis. However, Zee will be coming to me with all her needs.
And I intend to fulfill them.
3
Zee
Reid took my hand—it felt good in his—and led me out of the chapel to the waiting limo. And man, was it ever a limo! I’d lived in Vegas for the past six years, so I’d seen my share of limos. This one was longer than most, and maybe my imagination was working overtime, but it seemed shinier and blacker as well.
The chauffeur held the door for me. I opened my mouth to thank Reid, when he slid in beside me on the lush white leather seat.
“Thank you for everything,” I said. “I’ll… I guess I’ll be in touch.”
He didn’t move.
“I should give the driver my address,” I said.
“Already taken care of.”
“Then…goodbye. Thank you again.”
Again, he didn’t move.
But the limo did.
“I don’t need a chaperone.”
“I’m not your chaperone.” He smiled.
And oh my, his smile dazzled. Perfectly straight teeth surrounded by those full Wolfe lips.
So handsome.
And so… So…familiar.
I scooted away from him, just enough so that no part of him was touching me. Then, for the first time, I looked at my surroundings. This limo had a full bar. Seriously. A full bar. Another leather bench seat sat on the other side of the bar, and then two large bucket seats sat adjacent to it. All white leather with black accents.
I’d never seen anything like it.
I’d had two limo rides during my time here. The first was a few months after I started in the show. One of the producers took a few of us out after our New Year’s Eve performance. He wanted plenty in return. I escaped when we stopped to fuel up.
The second time was with a casino owner who took a liking to me. We dated a few times, but then, in the limo, he wanted to consummate our relationship. I wasn’t ready. Truth be told, I wasn’t ready now either.
Luckily, he didn’t press the point. He was quite persuasive, but he stopped before raping me. Then he never called me again.
Just as well.
“I’m your date,” Reid continued, “and I always see my dates safely home.”
I didn’t know what to say, so I chose to say nothing.
“Would you like a drink?” Reid asked.
“No, thank you.” After two flutes of champagne, I wasn’t feeling much pain, but I still had my right frame of mind. I didn’t want that to change anytime soon.
“Do you mind if I do?”
“Not at all.”
He scooted toward the bar and poured himself something dark. Bourbon or scotch, I’d guess. He took a drink and then set the glass in a holder, turning to me. “Tell me a little about yourself, Zee.”
I cleared my throat. “You know more about me than most.”
His cheeks turned a little ruddy. Had I embarrassed him?
“I know one thing that most probably don’t. There’s a whole lot I don’t know.”
“Well, the one thing you know isn’t something I’ve told anyone.”
“You told your lawyer.”
“Correction. I told your father’s lawyer. I didn’t have a lawyer.”
He nodded, taking another sip. “I see. Is that anything you’d like to talk about ?”
“I think I made it clear that it’s the one thing I never talk about,” I said.
“You did, but sometimes it helps to tell a friend.”
“I’d hardly call you a friend, Mr. Wolfe.”
“Please. Reid. I don’t like to think of myself as Mr. Wolfe.”
“Why?”
“My father was Mr. Wolfe.”
“Oh.” I nodded. I got it. Reid didn’t want to be associated with his father. Who could blame him? Certainly not I.
“So I’m Reid, just like Riley is Riley.”
I nodded again.
“I’d like to see your show.”
My show? Why would he want to see my show? “I’m sure with your resources you’ll have no problem getting tickets.” Did that sound snotty? I didn’t mean it that way.
“Of course. I’ll be here for a few days, at least.”
“I’m just part of the line,” I said. “I’m not a star or anything.” Which suited me just fine. I liked being invisible.
“I know that. I still want to see your work.”
“But you won’t see me. That’s the idea behind being a showgirl. The audience isn’t supposed to see us, really. We’re background. They’re focused on the star.”
He swallowed another sip. “Yes, yes. I’ve seen Las Vegas shows before. I’d just like to come. Perhaps I could take you to dinner afterward?”
“I’m usually beat afterward. Two shows a night and all.”
“You’re not making this easy,” he said under his breath.
“Making what easy?”
“Nothing. Just talking to myself.” He polished off his bourbon just as the limo pulled up at my building.
I touched the door handle. “Well…thank you again.”
“I’ll walk you up.”
“You don’t have to.” Please don’t.
“You’re my date,” he said again.
Right. He had to see me home. Except my home was a tiny apartment with three roommates.
So…best way to keep him from seeing my place?
“I’m not feeling very good,” I said. “Please, just let me go up.”
“If you’re sick, all the more reason to have someone make sure you get up there safely.”
I was fighting a losing battle. I wasn’t embarrassed about my living situation, I was just… This was Reid Wolfe. A freaking billionaire.
The driver opened the car door, and Reid slid out. He offered me his hand.
A slight shiver slid through me as our hands touched.
Odd. I didn’t normally react that way to men. Not since…
Well, since the incident in the Wolfe building.
I stepped out of the cab, and—
“Oh!” One of my heels caught in a grate, and I stumbled.