“Anything else?” I asked.
“Your favorite appetizer. But only if you share it with me,” he said.
Before I could turn him down, he placed a stack of chips onto my silver tray. Way more than was necessary to cover his food. I nodded and walked away, ready to put in his order. But, clearly, he didn’t understand how these chips worked.
Because I had one thousand dollars left in his chips alone after the order had been placed.
I stood there and waited for his drink. And all the while, I saw him stealing glances at me. Most customers did that anyway. But I didn't mind him doing it. He was young. Handsome. Easily as tall as me. Which was hard to find in a man when you stood at five-foot-eleven. My mother had been tall. The taller of my parents, actually. People always found that comical. But it never bothered my parents.
I miss my parents.
I gathered his drink and quickly made my way back to him. I set it down, sliding my arm over his shoulder. He peeked up at me, giving me the cheekiest grin I’d ever seen. But when he turned his head back to meet my eyes again, I could have sworn his nose brushed against my arm.
Which sent goosebumps rushing along my skin.
“You smell phenomenal,” he said.
I paused. “Well, uh, thank—thank you.”
“And yes, I meant to give you that many chips. Before you ask.”
I furrowed my brow. “How did you know what I was going to ask?”
“The way you have those chips stacked neatly on your tray. They’d be easy for you to grab and give back. No reason for that, though. I meant the tip I left you.”
“Oh.”
“Something the matter?”
I peeked at the worker behind the roulette table, but all she did was shrug.
“No, no. Nothing’s wrong. Just—thank you. That’s an incredibly generous tip,” I said.
He grinned. “No need to thank me. Though, your presence might help a bit. Makes me feel lucky, having you around.”
Well, he’s a refreshing change. “I can’t do that tonight, sir. Got many other tables that need my attention.”
“Shame. Though, the offer stands. Should you need a place to sit and breathe for a second.”
It took all I had to simply smile and pull away from him. Because I saw the guards already hovering. I knew they’d have their eye on the new guy. They always did shit like that whenever someone new came in. But I had to wave them off. Let them know he wasn’t bothering me in any way.
If anything, he was tempting me with things I wanted to do.
For some reason, drink and food orders ticked up. They always did around one thirty in the morning. The first round of drunken alcoholic escapades wore off, and people got hungry. Greedy for more alcohol. I rushed around, trying my best to keep the sweat at bay as my feet cried out for mercy. The blisters hurt. My blisters had blisters, and my shoes rubbed them raw. I rushed around so quickly I didn’t even stop to look at whose faces belonged to which orders.
And I should have the second I heard his voice.
“I suppose I’m lucky tonight. Because I could’ve sworn you were avoiding me.”
It was Mr. Williams. A man who stopped at nothing to try and get me upstairs.
“Good evening, Mr. Williams. What can I get you to drink?” I asked.
“It hurts that you don’t know my order. Since I only place it with you,” he said.
“I take a lot of orders during my evening shifts, sir. But I can discount your drink, if that’ll make you happy.”
“What will make me happy, beautiful, is knowing your rate.”
The second his hand fell against my leg, I pulled away.
“Would you care to put in an order? Or would you like me to come back to you?” I asked.
He rolled his eyes. “Rum and Coke, Natasha.”
“Right away, sir.”
I put a rush on his drink and quickly got it back to him. Then, I walked away without answering any other questions he had for me. I’d been avoiding Mr. Williams for damn near a month now. The only reason why he hadn’t been banned was because he hadn’t touched me. Until tonight. I needed to inform one of the guards. I was sure one of the multitudes of cameras in this place caught that man feeling the outside of my leg.
“Natasha, off the floor. You’re limping, and it doesn’t look attractive.”
“Go back into the back room and stock a bit.”
“And buy some damn shoes that don’t eat your feet up. You look like a wounded bird.”
I sighed as the overseer of the casino barked orders at me. I never could remember his name. And I knew I never would. I was simply thankful for the break. Especially now that I knew Mr. Williams was here. That drunken businessman didn’t know up from down whenever he drank. And the more he drank, the more belligerent he became.
But in the stock room, I wouldn’t have to put up with it.
I cashed out the rest of my chips and placed the last wad of cash in my bra. Because if I played my cards right, I wouldn’t be back out on that damn floor. Not tonight. Not with the way my feet screamed at me. The second I got into the back room, I slipped out of them. I grimaced at the open sores on my feet as the cool air hit them. My feet were scarred up from walking around in these damn things for hours at a time. Six-inch heels, with no socks or protection of any sort allowed. For what reason, I had no fucking clue. But it was part of the dress code for the waitresses.
So, I put up with it in order to pull money the way I could doing what I did.
I sighed as I tossed my heels off to the side. I limped around on my legs as I made my way for the stacks of boxes. I started ripping them open, then found places for them on the shelves. The stockroom shelves were practically bare, and it made me smile.
Because even if I hustled, this would keep me busy for the rest of the night.
“I want to know why you won’t give me a chance.”
I whipped around, shocked at the sound of Mr. Williams’ voice.
“Sir, you aren’t allowed to be back here,” I said.
He took a step toward me. “I’ll go once you answer my question. Why won’t you give me a chance?”
“It’s within the rules that waitresses cannot fraternize with customers. That’s what the second floor is for.”
“I don’t want any of those women, though. I want you.”
“Well, I’m sorry about that, Mr. Williams. But I won’t lose my job over you.”
He huffed. “I could take care of you for life. You wouldn't have to work anymore. You wouldn't have to ruin those beautiful little feet for an unforgiving job. We could travel. I could feed you the finest foods. And the only thing I ask for is your presence. Your heart. Why’s that so fucking hard for you?”
I stood my ground. “Because I don’t want you.”
I tried searching for a way out, but there wasn’t any. Mr. Williams had the only exit in this place blocked off. The closer he came to me, the more he backed me toward the boxes. Cardboard boxes filled with everything from booze to bar flavors to ingredients the kitchen needed in excess. I slipped away from the boxes and tried to get away. But I felt the businessman grip my arm.
“You aren’t leaving until you give me a fucking answer,” he growled.
“Try this on for size.”
I groaned as he gripped me harder. My hand came down on his wrist and I dug my nails into his tendons. He grunted as his grip released, and I slipped away long enough to turn myself toward him. I jammed my naked heel into his foot. I brought my knee into his groin. I pushed him away, watching him stumble back before he lunged at me again.
Only this time, I thrusted my hand out.
I cracked the heel of my hand against his face. I watched blood trickle down his nose. I called out for help as I scrambled for the only door this damn stockroom had. But I still wasn’t quick enough. Not on my blistered feet that hurt like the fucking dickens.
“Now, you don’t get the courtesy of my money.”
Som
ething reached around and gripped my neck. I struggled to breathe as he spun me around. His hand connected with my cheek, and I saw fuzzy images again. I saw Ivan again. I saw that man hovering over me as he peeled off my clothes. My voice, screaming. My legs, kicking. And as Ivan wrapped his hand around my throat, telling me to stop struggling, I smelled alcohol on his breath.
No, the alcohol on Mr. Williams’ breath.
“You’re coming with me,” he murmured.
“Please. Don’t do this,” I whimpered.
“You had your chance. Maybe this’ll teach you a lesson.”
“Help! Someone hel—”
He fisted my hair and started dragging me across the floor. I struggled against him as I wrapped my hands around his wrist. I tried pressing down again. I tried conjuring anything and everything Phillip taught me about self-defense. But as the door to the stockroom ripped open, something connected with my stomach. Robbing me of my voice, my breath, and my sight.
“Shut. The fuck. Up,” he growled.
5
Toxin
“Have you found a mark?” Grave asked.
“Have you nailed the mark yet?” Rock asked.
“Shut up and get the hell out of my earpiece,” Grave murmured.
“What? I want to know these things,” Rock said.
“Don’t make me regret putting my earpiece back in,” I murmured.
I shook my head as I listened to the idiots arguing in my ear. What started out as Grave in my ear had morphed into the entire old guard in my ear. But if they thought I was in a position to give updates, they were sorely mistaken. I had all eyes on me. With security, anyway. I had to find a way to shake them somehow before I could even think about approaching that beautiful woman to try and glean information from her.
I’d had my eye on her all night.
That flapper dress barely covered her ass cheeks. That plunging neckline showcased the fabulous tits she had underneath. They were shoved up and round. Calling to my teeth as my eyes flickered over toward her every once in a while. I tried to stuff the feeling down. I had to guide this mission with my head and not my, well, other head.
I couldn't take my mind off her, though.
As I won and lost my money at the roulette table, my glance followed her around. She rushed to get drinks. Dabbed at her forehead in the corner. Stood underneath air vents and let those tiny flappers on her dress blow about. She looked positively scrumptious. Sun kissed skin. Long ass legs that could wrap around a man for days. A slim waist and dark, brooding eyes that made me wonder what type of secrets she kept locked away.
Secrets that could take Lars down.
I didn’t like the way this drunk businessman was hitting on her, though. He kept touching her. Reaching out for her. Clearly making her uncomfortable, despite her shooting him down. I played my last round of roulette before picking up my drink. I gripped the crystal glass as I made my way toward another ATM, tucking myself back in the shadows.
Perching, so I could wait.
I saw the businessman getting more and more agitated. Natasha ignored him. Scooted by him. Stopped responding to him. And, eventually, sent someone else over to serve him. I heard someone yell “Natasha” and saw her turn her head. Making me grin as I logged that name away.
Then, she disappeared into the shadows as well.
I sipped my drink and waited for her to come back out. But, when she didn’t, I started slinking along the wall. Slowly making my way to the spot at the edge of the room where she disappeared. But a sudden movement caught my eye. I whipped my head over as I finished my drink, watching as the businessman got up from his chair. His eyes were locked on that spot, too. His body moved drunkenly through the crowd. He kept his head on a swivel, looking around to see if anyone was watching him.
Which was never good.
I kept creeping around. Every time a guard looked at me, I paused and continued sipping my drink. Something in the pit of my gut told me Natasha wasn’t all right. And I wanted to check on her. It took me a few seconds to get past the guards. To position myself where Natasha had disappeared. Thank fuck, it was next to yet another ATM.
So, I turned and started fiddling with my cards.
“The fuck’s going on in there?” Grave asked.
“Let me talk to him. I can get it out of him,” Knox said.
“If you guys don’t shut the fuck up and let me do my damn job, we’re all getting caught,” I murmured.
I looked over and nodded at a man who had come to take shade in the darkness. He didn’t pay me any mind. But I decided to be polite anyway. I pulled out a little more money. Not enough to enter myself at any of the tables. But enough to whip out for some fucking food and gas once I got the hell out of here. I slipped my wallet back into my pocket and turned around. The guys had fallen silent in my ear, minus Rock’s chuckling.
Then, I heard it.
A thud in the distance.
I slid along the wall in between the security guards taking shifts breathing down my damn neck. But it didn’t take me long to come to a door that was ajar in the shadows of the wall. I drew in a deep breath and silenced my footsteps. I slipped inside and closed the door behind me.
And it didn’t take me long to see Natasha being dragged across the floor.
“Shut. The fuck. Up.”
The growl of that man sent red dripping into my vision. Red, like the color of Natasha’s dress. Red, like the color of her lips. Red, like the color of the blood this man would spill tonight on the fucking floor. I reached down and pulled out the small gun I had strapped to my ankle. I held it up, following the man as Natasha groaned out in pain.
And when I had him cornered…
“You really should back the fuck off.”
Natasha gasped as the man whipped around.
“Who the hell are you?” he asked.
“Let me go, please,” Natasha whimpered.
“Let her go, or you’re dead,” I said plainly.
The guy laughed at me and took a step forward. Then another. And yet another. He continued dragging that beautiful woman across the floor, so I leapt into action. I rushed up behind him and knocked him in the back of the head with my gun. He whipped around, releasing Natasha as he tried to reach out and choke me. I knocked his wrist out of the way. I wrapped my own damn fingers around his throat. And as I cut off his air supply, I barreled him into the first wall we came to.
Before shoving the barrel of my gun between his eyes.
“Men who don’t listen get in trouble,” I glowered.
“You’re making a massive mistake right now,” the guy choked out.
“I promise you, I’m not.”
“Would to two of you chill out, please? You’re causing a scene and it’s only going to make things worse,” Natasha hissed.
I slowly looked over at her, gazing at her as if she’d grown a third fucking head. Was she serious? She glared at me with her eyes before motioning with her fingers for me to let go of him. To back away. To holster my gun. So, with a growl, I did.
Except I kept my gun trained on the guy in question.
“Come on. Behind me,” I said.
“Wait a second. I’m not—hey!” Natasha exclaimed.
I gripped her arm and pulled her behind me. I wanted a barrier between this drunken asshole and her beautiful body. But the second she wrenched away from me, she fell back to the floor. Cursing her heels and something about her broken feet or some shit like that before the man in front of me seethed with anger.
“Did you just shove her to the ground?” he growled.
“Since I’m not you? I’d say ‘no,’” I said.
The guy let out a blood-curdling scream as he rushed me. Quicker than I could’ve ever thought possible for a drunk moving about. He tackled me to the ground and pinned my gun above my head, then bashed his skull against mine. And, I mean, while it hurt like hell, it didn’t do much.
“You’re supposed to bash the nose, you idiot.”
&nb
sp; I brought my head up into his nose and felt it crack underneath the assault. He rolled off my body and I scrambled on top of him, abandoning my gun altogether. If a man wanted a fistful encounter, I’d sure as hell give it to him.
Because, well, I’d been waiting for someone to let me draw blood.
“Stop it, you two! Cut it out!” Natasha exclaimed.
But I barely heard her voice.
I landed punch after punch as the businessman stayed on the ground between my legs. He put his arms up to his face, blocking my bone-crunching fists. He leaned up and shoved me off, causing me to fall back toward my gun. And as he went to climb on top of me, I took aim at his shoulder.
Shooting him through and through.
“Shit!” the man exclaimed.
“Ah!” Natasha yelped.
And before I knew it, red lights started flashing all around us.
“What the fuck is going on right now?” Grave asked.
“Toxin, can you hear us?” Brewer asked.
“It sounds like he’s fighting someone,” Knox said.
“Was that a gunshot I heard?” Rock asked.
I pushed the man away from me and scrambled to my feet. I took my earpiece out—again—and slipped it back into the breast pocket of my suit coat. People screamed and rushed around. Guards on the other side of the wall barked out orders. And as I picked up my gun, I rushed for Natasha.
Who quickly backed away.
“You need to come with me. I’ll explain later,” I said.
“I’m not going anywhere with you,” she breathed.
“Then, I’ll just have to do this.”
“Wait a second, what are y—what!?”
I picked her up over my shoulder as she kicked her bare feet. And as she kicked them, I saw what she was talking about. She had open sore wounds all over her feet. Possibly from her heels. Something warm pooled in my gut. Something foreign to me. I shook it away, though. I had to concentrate on getting us out of here.
Whether or not Natasha wanted to come.
“Put me down!” she exclaimed.
Her fists beat against my back as I slinked through the winding hallways that sat on the other side of the casino walls.
Dead Souls MC: Prospects Series Books 1-5 Page 64
