“Your mother’s going to come unhinged when she reads your email.”
“Well, she came unhinged in person when I talked to her about it, but I’m used to that,” I remind him. “This is better for both of us.”
“We just need to talk about these things,” he insists.
Something’s not right. But I’m over the two-minute mark, and I need to go. “Hey, I’ve got to run. Bella promised me a class at her yoga studio. I’ll be home on Friday. See you then.”
“Bye, hon. I guess I’ll check to see if Edward can marry us this weekend.”
My stomach turns. Why is everyone in such a hurry? “How about next month? Let’s make them worry a bit.”
“You’re making me worry,” he quips.
“Don’t be silly. I’ve gotta run.”
I disconnect the phone and pull the SIM card before I call Jim from the landline. I tell him about my conversation with Alex.
“My mom knows I’ve left San Francisco.”
“We have her under surveillance,” he says. “I don’t think she does. Tell me more about Alex.”
“About the phone call?”
“About him personally,” he explains. “How did you meet? Tell me about his social life.”
I walk through everything I know about Alex, his family, and the men he’s dated. It doesn’t paint a very pretty picture, and it makes me a little sad.
“What did Christopher being emancipated mean to the family? Why didn’t you and Steven emancipate yourselves?” Jim asks.
“Well, we were both younger, and at that point, we weren’t under the same kind of pressure Christopher had been. Plus, once Christopher did that, my mother worked hard to remove friends from our lives she didn’t approve of. We didn’t have any friends to fall back on that weren’t in her social circle—which meant they’d never cross her by opening up their home to Stevie or me. She made sure we knew what happens when you turn your back on family.”
“What about your housekeeper and her husband—did she fire them?”
“Surprisingly no. They hate each other to this day, but they remain employed. There’s something there, some reason why, but I don’t know what it is.
“All right. That helps a lot. Thank you. I’m beginning to look at some of these characters, and I’ll have a new SIM card brought up to you shortly. Be sure to check your voice mail. It looks like you have five messages...” He pauses for a moment. “The number is your mother’s.”
I breathe a deep sigh. “That’s not a surprise. I upset her this morning.”
“What did you do?”
“I canceled the wedding planner. I discussed changing the wedding with her before I left—we argued, actually—and I hoped she would do it. But she didn’t, and the poor wedding planner was freaking out and robo-emailing me. So I emailed her and cc:’d my mother and Alex.”
“Is this why Alex called you?”
“Yes. And he was more upset about it than I thought he’d be. I can’t quite figure out what’s going on there either.”
“All right. Keep doing what you’re doing.” We disconnect.
There’s a knock at the door, almost as if they knew I was off the phone. I check the peephole and see Travis.
When I open the door, he hands me a small plastic box no bigger than my thumbnail. “Jim texted and asked me to deliver a new SIM card.”
I nod. “Thank you.”
He offers to put it in my phone, but I decline and quickly pop it into place with his supervision.
Travis waves as he heads down the hall, and Jonnie calls just after the phone boots back up.
“I hear you had an exciting morning,” he says.
“I’m not sure about that.” I tell him my concerns about my conversation with Alex. “I think I should go to San Francisco and be seen and then come back. You know, an in-and-out-in-one-day trip.”
“Absolutely not,” he says firmly. “That’s a bad idea.”
I’m surprised. I thought we were trying to keep them off my trail. If I’m seen with my bodyguard, they’ll think I’m keeping a low profile and back off, won’t they? “My mother has left five messages since I sent the email this morning. What do I tell her?”
“Just what you told her before—that you’ll be home late tomorrow night,” he says.
“What are we going to tell them when I don’t fly home in two days?”
“I’m not sure yet, but I’m working on a plan that will help us make sure they don’t know you’re here.”
He’s silent a moment. The sun is nearing its highest point in the sky, and the weather looks perfect. What I wouldn’t give for some quality time outside in the fresh air.
“I can tell you’re feeling a little cooped up at the apartment. Give me an hour,” Jonnie says. “I’ll take you out for lunch, and we can go over to my friends’ place. They live on the outskirts of town and have a pool.”
Yes! I resist doing a dance of joy. That sounds fantastic. “I’ll pack a few things and call my mom. I’ll be ready when you arrive.”
“Don’t let her get to you. Remember, we’re in this together.”
“Okay.” I stand straighter, knowing he has my back.
I pull a bikini Bella insisted I take from her out of my suitcase, find a towel in the bathroom, and put some of my toiletries in a bag, along with a change of clothes. Perhaps we’ll go out for dinner, too.
When I’ve stalled long enough, I open my voice mail and listen to my mother’s messages. They grow more and more urgent, wondering why I have canceled Veronique. Because you didn’t?
I spend a few moments psyching myself up for the call. There are normal parents out there. Why couldn’t mine be one of them?”
I dial her number. The phone rings for a fifth, and then a sixth time. She’s not answering. The stress between my shoulders dissipates with each ring. I’ll be able to just leave a message… But my excitement evaporates when she picks up. Crap.
“There you are,” she singsongs.
“Sorry, Mom. I was in a meeting when you called.”
“Where are you?”
“Still in San Francisco. I’ll be home late tomorrow night.”
“You’re not in San Francisco. I was at Christopher’s house this morning, and you weren’t there.”
Rather than deny, I ask her a question. She does this all the time, and I’ve learned from the best. “What are you doing in San Francisco?”
“I came to talk some sense into you. Why did you email Veronique? We need her for the wedding.”
“Mom…” I count to five, making sure I can speak coherently. “I told you the society wedding was off. I’ll marry Alex, but with a judge at City Hall. No big production.”
“I put hours into this wedding,” she whines.
“I don’t care. It’s my way or no way. You’re single. If you want a society wedding, you find someone to marry.”
She sighs in irritation. But I still have the upper hand. “Where are you?” she asks. “We need to talk about this.”
Why does she continue to push this? She’s still getting what she wants from me—isn’t she?
I cover my eyes for a moment, but then Jonnie walks in, and I find the strength to move forward.
“Mom, my next appointment has arrived. I’ll see you Saturday morning after I wake up at the house.”
“Does Richard know when your flight is arriving?”
“I’ll just take a rideshare. See you on Saturday.” I disconnect the call. Under two minutes. Not bad.
Jonnie leans in, and I kiss him. He tastes so good.
“What’s wrong?” he asks.
“She’s in San Francisco,” I breathe.
“Shit. I thought we’d have more time. I need to let Jim know.”
“Okay, and I’ll call Christopher to get the low-down on what happened. I can’t believe he didn’t call and tell us.”
While Jonnie steps into the adjoining room, I call Christopher on his office line.
A female v
oice answers, “Sullivan Healy Newhouse.” It sounds like a law firm instead of a fancy venture capital firm.
“Christopher Rinehart, please.”
“May I tell him who’s calling?”
“Tiffany Daniels.” She’s a mean girl we went to school with and my recently decided undercover name. There’s no way she would ever call Christopher, so he knows when I use that name, I need to talk to him immediately.
I wait a few moments and hear, “Is everything okay?”
“I just spoke with Mom. She said she’s in San Francisco and was at your house this morning?”
“No, she wasn’t, at least not that I’m aware of. Are you okay?”
“Yes. I’m going a little stir crazy, but Jonnie’s taking me to a friend’s place where they have a pool.”
“Sounds fun. Listen, things are tough right now, but you need to stay in hiding. You can’t fix this by reasoning with Mother. She’s not listening. I love you. Stay strong.”
“Thanks. Love you too.” We hang up, and when Jonnie appears, I mouth at him, “My mother was not at Christopher’s this morning.”
He nods. “Okay, great. We’ll see you then.” He disconnects his call. “Jim’s team has Christopher under surveillance, and they had a quiet night and morning. No sightings of your mother.”
Now I’m angry. First the pressure, and now the lies. “She’s trying to catch me in a lie, that bitch!”
“I like it when you talk dirty.” He puts his arms around me and rubs his cock against my core, and despite the layers of clothes between us, I feel his hardness.
I blush. “Are you packed?”
“I am.” He holds up a bottle. “I’m just bringing sunscreen. We’ll be alone, so we can go skinny dipping.” He wiggles his eyebrows suggestively.
“You’ve seen this,” I motion to my body. “I’ve spent thirty-one years in Minnesota. You know full well there are many parts on this glow-in-the-dark body that have never seen the light of day.”
“That’s why I’m bringing sunscreen.”
“You’re too much.” I shake my head and smile.
“Let’s get you some fresh air and nourishment.”
Chapter 23
Jonathan
Queen Diva was so generous to allow us to use her second Las Vegas home. This afternoon I’m grateful we’re able to escape the Strip, the hotel, and my apartment. Maggie was beginning to go a little nuts. And while the security team isn’t physically with us as we drive, they’ll be strategically around—within seconds of assisting us, if needed.
When we arrive, Maggie and I take a quick tour. I notice the plush king-size bed and the shower that easily fits two people. Maybe later.
“You can change if you’re not comfortable skinny dipping,” I tell Maggie with a wink. I’ll talk her out of her suit eventually.
She smiles. “I’ll meet you outside in a few minutes. I should at least try the bikini on.”
The weather is neither too hot nor too cold. Las Vegas in the fall is my favorite. The desert gives us spectacular sunrises and sunsets, but it’s the lack of humidity and the moderate temperatures that really make a difference.
I check the fridge, and everything I ordered has been stocked. I pour us each a glass of wine and go sit in the cool saltwater pool. Leaning back against the wall, I let my feet float to the top and the stress of my crazy morning leaves me. Then, out of the corner of my eye, a flash of skin catches my attention. It’s Maggie in a beautiful dark pink bikini.
My cock comes to immediate attention. She’s not allowed to wear that in public. “You look hot.”
“Thanks. Bella tucked the suit into my suitcase before I left. She said Christopher wouldn’t let her wear this in public.”
She models for me, and I can’t get past her hard nipples. I’m tempted to undress her and let my fingers explore.
“I can see why,” I say dryly.
She rolls her eyes and puffs out her chest. “It covers all the important parts.”
“That top is like little eye patches.”
She walks into the pool with my eyes glued to her most private spot. The bottoms hang on her hips, leaving nothing to the imagination.
“Don’t get me wrong, but you are a felony in that swimsuit.”
She turns almost the same shade as the fabric. “You’re the one who talked about skinny dipping.”
“I didn’t realize someone could see you here.”
She walks over to me in the pool, stopping long enough to go under the water and wet her hair. She backs me into the corner. “Who can see us?” she rasps as she rubs her hands over my pecs and nibbles at my neck.
The idea of public sex has never excited me, but right now I’m so aroused I don’t care who could be watching. I’ve lost my voice, so I motion to the neighboring houses on each side.
Seductively she whispers, “I doubt they can see us, so you’re safe on that one, but you get to see me in Bella’s swimsuit.”
I take her hand and move it to my rigid cock as I find my voice. “You’re beautiful in everything you wear, but this suit says you’re begging to be fucked.”
She steps in and kisses me. Our tongues are aggressive. “I do want to fuck you.”
“I’m sure I can make that happen.”
She bites her bottom lip, and I’m close to taking her right here, right now in the water, but I want to enjoy some fresh air. If I take her now, we’ll be in bed all afternoon. She needs the break, and we can have sex in my apartment any time.
I reach over to the ledge where I put our wine and hand her a glass. “Here’s a sauvignon blanc. The caterer dropped off some snacks and dinner we can eat later. Queen Diva has offered us the house tonight, if we want to stay. We don’t have to make up our minds now.”
“Where does she live?”
I point to the house next door. “She has a lot of houseguests. Some stay at the hotel and others stay here.”
Maggie gazes back at the house. “This is quite a spacious guest house.”
“I know. It’s over fifty-five hundred square feet.” I study her as we talk and try not to think about the look of ecstasy that crosses her face when she comes. She really has no idea of how she affects me. I want to spend the rest of my life showing her.
She leans in close. and her breast grazes my arm. Again my cock, which had started to deflate, is back at attention.
She smiles. “You’re thinking about sex, aren’t you?”
I nod. “It’s hard not to when I’m with you.”
“Next time I’ll wear a burka.”
“Trust me, it doesn’t matter.”
She rolls her eyes and grins. “What’s going on at the hotel?”
“Nice segue. There are always a thousand things happening. Currently, the biggest distraction is that someone is stealing from Queen Diva.”
“You’re joking.”
“Nope. She’s had two dresses stolen. We changed the way we store her costumes, so the thief moved on to an expensive piece of jewelry.”
“I thought essentially everything was watched in the hotel?”
“It is, but not her dressing room—for privacy. Although right now, we’ve added a camera even there. Only she knows where it is, and we can keep an eye on her valuables when she’s not there or on stage.”
“People have stolen from her while she’s on stage?”
“Yes, an amethyst ring was stolen last week during the second act.”
“That’s awful. Those dresses she wears are stunning.”
“And expensive.”
“I’ll bet.” She thinks about it a few moments. “I’m assuming you checked the vents between that room and the next?”
I nod, distracted by her nipples, which scream I want to be played with.
“Is this what keeps management so busy at a large hotel?”
“There are several things on my plate right now, but that’s the big one. We’re also dealing with a prima donna on our catering team. He’s good, but I’m close to
terminating him. He keeps berating his staff and they’re dropping like flies and going to our competitors. You need to be respectful, and that trumps talent.”
“Makes sense.”
“And there are daily issues like card cheats and people who try devices that throw off our machines, but the one we’re spending a lot of time on is a group of college-aged students. We never see the same players twice, so it’s hard to catch them, but they use hand gestures to tell each other what they have, which helps them win. It’s called collusion. We can actually have them arrested, if we catch them. A few of our dealers may also be involved. They might even be marking cards.”
“People do that?”
“Yes. There are all kinds of cheaters out there.”
“Do you ever have a night when the house loses?”
I shake my head. “Not really. Even when we have a high-value game going in the back rooms and someone wins a multimillion-dollar pot, we come out ahead.”
“What about nights when it’s all small games going and someone wins big?”
“The thing is, everyone plays to win in Vegas. Very few stop when they’re ahead by even one hundred dollars. Psychology says they determine their budget, and they will lose until they win big. Most lose what they’ve allotted to spend.”
“But what’s big to one person is different than another.”
“Exactly.”
She swirls her hands through the water for a moment. “What made you want to do this? I mean, it’s so different than anything we grew up with.”
“Actually, in undergrad I developed some software for hotels. And over time, as it grew, I decided I needed a hotel to test it on, but no one was interested. Christopher and I came out here to Las Vegas, and I saw a lot of potential. So I went to grad school to figure out how to build my idea and talk some guys into investing.”
“You built a hotel to test how your software could work?”
“Yes and no…” I built the hotel for her, but I don’t want to drive that home until she’s free of the mess she’s in. “I also enjoy the business.”
House of Cards (Tech Billionaires) Page 19
