by Lily Harlem
“And we made over five hundred bucks, can you believe it?”
“Really?”
“Aye.” He grinned. “There’ll be some good poker going on when we get to Vegas.”
“I’m beginning to think you’re as excited as he is about the casinos.”
“I guess I am.” He chuckled. “Just not as vocal about it.”
“True to form.”
After showering, Olivia enjoyed a feast of a breakfast with her men. Then with full bellies, they headed to the lot to collect their bikes.
Preston, the restaurant owner, was there to see them off.
“Great success.” He shook Raul’s hand. “Lots of social media chatter too. Thumbs up for the business and for not losing a night of covers.”
Olivia glanced at Harry. He’d pulled his scarf up and was fastening his helmet. If the social-media-loving public had realized who’d been pot-washer, they’d have had even more to tweet and squawk about.
She was glad they hadn’t known.
Harry was hers, part of their crew. Unless it suited them otherwise, he wasn’t public property.
They bid goodbye then hit the road.
Before long, Olivia was in awe of her surroundings. The mountains were dramatic and huge, the roads providing stunning green vistas as they rumbled along, mile after mile after mile.
It was four and a half hours before they stopped at a diner.
Olivia was desperate to use the restroom.
When she came out, the guys had snagged a booth of plastic red benches and a waitress was serving them coffee. She had one eye on the mugs and the other on Harry.
Olivia tutted and sat next to him, pressing in close.
“Hey, Liv,” he said, kissing her cheek.
She smiled up at the waitress. “Do you have tea?”
The waitress chewed her gum. “Green or peppermint?”
“Just plain old tea. English breakfast.”
“I’ll see what I can do.” She wandered off.
“You and your tea.” Harry chuckled and opened a menu.
“Damn it, I can’t take another burger either.” Evan tutted.
“Let’s order a bunch of pizza and dig in,” Olivia suggested.
“Yeah, I guess.” Mason frowned. “Could do with pie and mash.”
“Aye.” Lucas nodded. “Steak and ale pie.”
“Oh, stop, that’s making me homesick.” Olivia groaned. “Though I’d have chicken and mushroom.”
“Really?” Mason nodded. “Good choice.”
“You folk like your pies, huh.” Harry laughed.
“I will make.” Raul said. “All of those, and my speciality, octopus and chorizo pie.”
“Are you sure?” Olivia was doubtful.
“Si, it is very good.”
“As long as we don’t have to be around as you cook, I’ll give it a try,” Evan said, sipping his coffee.
“I said sorry.” Raul held up his hands.
“Tea. It’s mint, all we got.” The waitress set a big red mug in front of Olivia. A green tinted bag was floating on the surface of the steaming water.
“Er, thanks. That will be fine.”
“You ready to order, hun?” She held her pencil poised over her pad and directed her question at Harry. A smile tugged her lips now she was addressing him.
Irritation created an itch at the nape of Olivia’s neck.
“We’re gonna go for a pile of pizza, pepperoni, mushroom, ham, and some fries, ’slaw and garlic bread.”
“You want cheese on that?”
“Sure.” He handed her the menu with a smile. “Thanks.”
“You are very welcome, Mr Vidal.” She giggled and walked away.
“For fuck’s sake,” Olivia muttered.
“Aw, don’t worry, I’m yours.” He ran his hand over her hair and down her back.
“So, mis amigos.” Raul leaned forward, “Which casino we hit?” He looked at the large white clock on the wall. “In five hours.”
“Five hours?” Mason said.
“If we want to get to Vegas tonight, aye.” Lucas nodded.
“And we do, right?” Evan asked.
“Si!” Raul spread his fingers. “The city of opportunity is waiting.”
“Did it ever cross your mind you might lose everything?” Evan asked him.
“No. That is not something to think. That is inviting bad luck.” Raul folded his arms. “And Lucas and I will have good luck. We have a plan.”
“You do?” Mason directed at Lucas.
“Don’t worry about a thing.” Lucas grinned.
“It’s a lot of money to blow, what we earned at the restaurant.” Mason widened his eyes.
“Yeah, but when we’re in Vegas we’re only a couple of hours from LA.” Harry sipped his coffee. “And LA is the end of The Challenge. Even without the cash from the restaurant we’ve got enough to survive from the fruit farm.”
“The end of The Challenge.” A sinking feeling filled Olivia’s stomach.
Everyone was quiet.
The silence extended.
“But it is not the end yet,” Raul said. “There is still so much fun to be had.”
She smiled at him, grateful for his upbeat attitude when everyone else had an attack of gloom.
But Olivia couldn’t shake her gloom as they continued their journey, traveling through yet another state and past many more mountains and forests. Their first challenge had failed and so they’d been given this one. But riding the Harleys had been simple in comparison to taking on the mighty Pacific and soon they’d be triumphant.
But did success mean the end of her time with her men?
She’d been living the dream. Having her cake and eating it, literally, a little bite here and a nibble there. Each guy giving her what she needed just when she needed it. And all so fucking sexy with it. She loved them all equally. Each was unique, special, adorable and so damn hot. Her life wouldn’t be the same without them in it. All five of her boyfriends.
She was almost at the rear of their little convoy as they tanked on through a dusty red desert dotted with cacti and strange sky-grasping trees. Lucas was at the very back, watching her back, as he so often did in all aspects of what her life had become.
Harry was at the front, on the biggest bike, Evan close behind. Raul and Mason rode in tandem.
A tear formed in her right eye and she blinked it away, blaming the wind. Surely they wouldn’t end in LA when Dante paid the promised donation. They had to find a way to stay together. If they didn’t they’d be scattered over the globe. From Scotland, to Australia, America to Spain and with her on the south coast of England, alone… broken-hearted.
Eventually Vegas rose like a night-time mirage from the sandy horizon. In the midst of nothingness, a science-fiction city made up of strange shaped buildings and lasers pointing into space.
They drew closer and the golden glow intensified along with the traffic becoming heavier.
Harry seemed to know exactly where he was going and they followed him past suburbs, then small hotels, casinos and bars, until finally hitting The Strip. They coasted along the wide, busy road, for once not drawing attention because everything was bigger, brighter and louder than they were.
Olivia admired the flamboyant hotels. A pirate show appeared to be in full swing on her right, on the opposite side a massive pink hotel with the image of a scantily clad woman projected onto the side.
They stopped at lights and she admired a breath-taking water display sending fountains spurting into the sky in time to a jazz track. A crowd filled the sidewalk, clapping and cheering.
Harry led them toward the white light shooting vertically into the night from what appeared to be a large black pyramid. He pulled off the main road, slowed and rolled past a huge sphinx beneath which was a brass plaque with The Luxor engraved on it. He stopped in a carport bustling with valets and huge shiny cars.
Olivia stopped behind Mason and Lucas drew up beside her. She kept her engine r
unning.
A valet with broad shoulders and a walkie-talkie attached to his jacket puffed up his chest and tilted his chin. He strutted toward them with his eyes narrowed and his lips a thin tight line.
Olivia got the distinct impression bikers weren’t welcome at The Luxor.
He came to a halt in front of Harry and pointed at the exit. “The hotel is full.”
Harry climbed off his bike. He stretched his arms out to the sides and rotated his wrists for several seconds. He then pulled off his helmet and tugged down his gray scarf which had been covering the lower half of his face.
The valet’s expression changed in an instant. “Oh, Mr Vidal. I do beg your pardon. I had no idea it was you.”
A smiled stretched Harry’s mouth and he held up his keys. “Can you park my bike?” He pointed behind himself. “And my buddies’.”
“Of course, sir.” The valet took the keys. “I wasn’t aware you were staying with us tonight.”
“We were just passing.”
“Very good, very good.” He took the keys then turned and clicked his fingers. Several other valets rushed toward him. “I will let the manager know you’re here.”
“Appreciate it.” Harry clasped him on the shoulder then strolled up to Evan. “Give him your keys.” He glanced around. “All of you. I’ve got it from here.”
“What have you got?” Evan asked. “We can’t afford this place even with our earnings from Copper Mountain.”
“No, we cannot spend that money on fancy room in fancy hotel,” Raul said.
“Just give the valets your damn keys.” Harry was still grinning. “I told you, I’ve got this.”
Olivia wasn’t going to argue about getting off her bike. The novelty of being on it for the day had worn off about two hours ago. She turned off the engine, unfolded from the seat and grabbed her bag from the storage box. She dropped her keys in the palm of a waiting valet.
“Come on,” Harry said, heading toward the huge brass revolving door, “this way.”
Evan was close behind him.
“Feels odd to just hand over the bikes,” Mason said, falling into step with her and glancing back at them being ridden away.
“Yeah, I know.”
“They’ll be okay,” Lucas said. “It’s what they do here.”
They stepped into the reception of The Luxor and Olivia stopped and gawped. It was one of the biggest indoor spaces she’d ever seen. The pyramid shape continued inside, as did the Egyptian theme. Before her stood four tall ornamental mummies bathed in golden light. They were flanked by real palm trees, and carved lions on plinths. An obelisk rose needle-like into the air and beyond it a temple claiming to be an Imax theatre.
“Wow,” she said. “I had no idea hotels like this existed.”
“Aye, it’s cool.” Mason spun a full circle.
“People look tiny in here,” Raul said. “It is so big.”
“I know.” The reception area was a massive long desk, and would be enormous under any other circumstances, but in here, it was small.
Harry was standing a little way from them with his hands on his hips, talking to Evan. He seemed in no rush to go to the desk.
A group of men in suits walked past them, determined expressions on their faces and holding handfuls of colorful chips. A family, in shorts and t-shirts, dashed toward the Imax. The air was cool, the noises of the hotel seeming to echo in the giant space.
A tall black man came toward them, his movements brisk and efficient. He wore a well-tailored suit and a name badge.
“Mr Vidal,” he said, holding out his hand to Harry. “What an unexpected pleasure.”
Olivia strained to hear the conversation. It seemed Lucas, Mason and Raul were doing the same.
“Hello, George,” Harry said, taking his hand and shaking. “I hope our showing up is not too much of an inconvenience.”
“How could you think that?” He grinned at Harry then Evan. “You, as is your father, are always most welcome at The Luxor.” He paused. “Will you be in the casino?”
“Of course. We’re hoping to win big bucks.” Harry rubbed his hands together.
The manager’s smile broadened. He clearly knew just how big big bucks were in the Vidal’s world. “In that case you are in luck—a suite on the tenth floor is available, number two twenty-two.”
Chapter Twenty
“Excellent.” Harry nodded.
“And complimentary of course, for you, as a dear friend of The Luxor,” George added.
“Thank you.” Harry shoved his hands into the pockets of his leathers and seemed to rock back on his heels a little.
“I trust you will pass on our hospitality to your father when you next speak to him.”
“I’ll tell him that you, George, have been an absolute godsend when my friend and I needed somewhere to stay and have a flutter.”
George bowed his head and clasped his hands together. “Thank you. Now if you give me a moment I’ll organize the details with reception. Please, just wait here.” He scurried off toward the long reception desk.
Harry sat in a plush golden velvet seat next to a palm tree. Evan did the same.
“I’m not sure if the suite is for all of us,” Mason said. “Or just those two.”
“Me neither.” Olivia watched her two men, laughing and seemingly very pleased with themselves. “We should wait here.”
“Or just hit the casino,” Raul said, nudging Lucas in the ribs. “What do you say?”
“Let’s go for it.” Lucas grinned.
Raul stepped up behind Harry. He pressed his hand on his shoulder as he spoke into his ear.
Harry listened then nodded.
Quickly Raul returned and spoke to Lucas. “Remember room two twenty-two, I said we will see them later.”
“Cool.” Olivia nodded. “Good luck both of you.”
“Thanks.” Raul grinned and appeared to be almost hopping on the spot in his excitement.
“Are you okay?” Lucas whispered, slipping his hand around her waist.
“Yes, fine.”
He kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you soon.”
For a moment she watched Lucas and Raul heading toward the flashing lights and jangling noises coming from the casino, then her attention was caught by two slender women in skimpy dresses heading her way.
Except they weren’t heading her way. They made a beeline for Harry and Evan, who were chatting and grinning, probably about their good fortune at getting a free suite at The Luxor.
“Oh dear,” Mason said, resting his shoulder on a replica of a sphinx at his side. Water shot from a nozzle on its chest into a small pond that sparkled with dimes. “I hope Harry is still in the mood for being recognized.”
A knot of irritation formed in Olivia as the women stopped in front of Harry and Evan.
“Are you Harrington Vidal?”
Harry stopped mid-conversation with Evan and inclined his head. “I am.”
“Can we have a selfie?” the other woman asked.
“Sure.” He smiled.
To Olivia’s horror, both women plonked down on his lap, each perching on one of his wide thighs. They wrapped their arms around his shoulders and pressed their cheeks to his, one each side.
Nausea swirled in her stomach. How dare they. He wasn’t public property—he was hers.
The girl with the black dress so low her nipples were nearly on show, held her iPhone at arm’s length and pouted. Her friend did the same strange thing with her lips and widened her eyes.
Harry smiled.
“Thank you,” said the one with the iPhone.
“Yes, thank you, Harry.” The other one set a kiss on his cheek.
“Hey, hey,” Harry said, wrapping his hands around her waist and pushing her to standing. “Easy now, you’ll make my girlfriend jealous.”
“Yeah, who is your girlfriend? We saw that picture of you kissing her on line, you were in Kmart or something.” She laughed.
“My girlfriend prefers to
be anonymous.” Harry said, crossing his right ankle over his left knee as if to block them sitting again. “You all have a good day now.”
“We could be your lucky mascots in there?” Black Dress Girl nodded at the casino.
He chuckled. “I’ve been on the road for hours, the only luck I need is a soft bed right now.”
“You might want company in bed, Harry.” She ran her hands over her waist and wiggled her butt. “Both of us if you can’t choose.”
“I don’t think so.”
She frowned.
“Who’s your friend?” the other one asked, indicating Evan, who was sitting gripping the sides of his chair and watching on with an amused expression.
“This is Evan, he’s on The Challenge with me.”
“Oh sure, we saw the pictures of you all getting on the boat.” She pulled a face. “Is that the girl you kissed in Kmart? Couldn’t see her face.”
Harry said nothing.
She shrugged. “Didn’t work out so well, huh? The boat thing.”
Harry huffed. “That’s life. But we’re still raising cash, God willing.”
She pressed her hand to her chest. “Handsome and a Christian.” She turned to Evan. “We can have a selfie with you, right.”
She hadn’t asked it as a question, because before Evan could answer, both women had dropped down on Evan’s lap and were pouting and posing into their phones.
Evan appeared startled for a second, then grinned at the screen.
“Mr Vidal, I have your room key.” George appeared at Harry’s side. His gaze swept over the two women.
“Thanks,” Black Dress Girl said with a giggle as she hopped up.
The other star-struck female did the same.
“Any time.” Evan brushed his hands over his thighs and glanced at Olivia.
She was sure her blood was on fire. Bad enough they’d draped themselves all over Harry, but Evan too? She felt as if her territory had been breached, which it had.
She knew a scowl was creasing her brow and her mouth pursed in an unattractive twist, but she couldn’t help it as she glared at the girls.
They walked past her without a second glance, giggling and nudging each other and checking out the images they’d captured.
“Don’t sweat it,” Mason said quietly, as if reading her thoughts.
