Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 88580 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88580 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
None of that matters. There’s only me, the cards, and my clients.
The game progresses, and I manage to stop thinking about Adler, at least for a little while.
But the whispers continue.
I notice a few waitresses chatting nearby, two of them staring right at me while a third whispers something in their ears.
I spot two security goons lurking right behind me—not talking, just looming like a couple of tombstones.
Even Big Dan seems to be going out of his way to pass my table and give me really dirty looks.
After an hour, I’m starting to think something’s going on.
When my break arrives and I’m rotated off the table, I hurry toward a nearby bar. Not for a drink—but to find out what the heck is happening.
“Leon.” I wave at the bartender from the far end. He spots me, does a double-take, and hurries over. “You busy?”
He shrugs, glancing at the four older folks sitting in their stools. “Not really. Hey, uh, you good? How are you feeling, do you want to sit down?”
I stare at him, frowning. I’ve known Leon for years now. He’s older, in his forties, been bartending all over AC since he was a kid. We’re friends, but I can’t remember a single time he’s ever asked if I needed a chair. Mostly he makes fun of my limp and teases me about being tired all the time, while I mock his clearly dyed blond hair and his stupidly tight black t-shirts.
“I’m fine. Is something going on that I don’t know about?”
“Not sure what you mean.” He beams at me. It’s the fakest smile I’ve seen in my life.
“What the hell is with you?”
“What do you mean?” His smile slips. “Did I do something? Casey, listen, we’re friends, right? If you need anything—”
“Why the hell are you talking like I’m dying?” I stare at him for a few beats then lean forward, pitching my voice lower. “What did you hear, Leon?”
He looks around, panic in his eyes, before crouching closer. “It’s just a rumor, okay? I figured it was bullshit because, I mean, come on, it’s you—”
“Leon, don’t mess around right now. Just tell me.”
“Right. Okay. The word is, you were seen kissing Adler Costa in the space lounge this morning.” He pauses and laughs, already some of his tension melting away. “Honestly, saying it out loud like that, I realize it’s pretty silly.”
“Why would that be silly?” I say carefully.
“I mean, come on, Case, you’ve seen Adler. He’s fucking gorgeous. Way out of your league, no offense, darling, you’re extremely cute and all that, but that’s the sort of man who goes for six-foot-whatever models. No fun-sized blondes.”
“I’m not fun-sized,” I say through my teeth. “And is that what everyone whispering about?”
He shrugs, looking uncomfortable. “I guess so. That’s the big story of the day, at least. Also, uh, you did notice the two security guys following you around? I don’t even recognize them.”
I glance over my shoulder and sure enough, the two goons that were lingering near my table are standing not far away, doing their best to look nonchalant, which only makes it worse.
“I don’t recognize them either,” I admit, and I know everyone on the security team. At least everyone that works in this hotel. It just now occurs to me that the Costa family is bigger than the Sunrise.
“Whatever, that’s weird, but it’s all just bullshit, right? You know how this place is, somebody tells a story and suddenly that’s the gospel truth.” Leon laughs, slapping the bar. “God, you and Adler Costa. That’s fucking hilarious.”
“Yeah. Hilarious.” I move away from his bar. “All right, I’ve got to get back.”
“I’ll see what I can do about squashing this rumor for you. God, Casey and Adler Costa, what a stupid joke.”
I walk away, cheeks burning red.
Suddenly, I’m aware of everyone staring at me. All the waitresses, the bartenders, the security guys, the other dealers, the cashiers, even the janitorial staff. I feel like spiders are crawling down my spine, like my name’s on everyone’s lips.
I turn, spinning around, and spot the two goons trailing only a few feet away.
“Who the hell are you guys?” I march up to them, arms crossed.
They exchange a look. One’s tall and square with dark hair and pale eyes. The other’s thinner, muscular, covered in tattoos. Both wear black slacks and black shirts. “Adler hired us to make sure you’re safe,” the square guy says. “Don’t worry about us. Pretend like we don’t exist.”
“Kind of hard when you’re lurking around like creeps.”
“We’re not lurking,” the tattooed guy says. “We’re protecting.”
“You’re drawing even more attention to me, and I don’t need that right now.” I jab a finger at them. “I assume you’re not going to go against Adler’s orders, right?”
They both shakes their heads. “Sorry,” square guy says.
“Then do me a favor and at least try to look like you belong.” I turn around, storming back to my next assigned table.