Play to Win

by Kelly Jamieson

  I can only hope they have money and will tip well.

  There are about ten of them, and wow, they’re all big guys. Nicely dressed and clean cut. A few middle-aged guys, some younger, like, in their twenties. I smile at them all. “Hello, gentlemen. I’m Lacey. I’ll be taking care of you tonight.”

  I wait for the lewd comments about how I could “take care of” them.

  Instead they all chorus, “Hi, Lacey,” making me smile. In a glance I can see they’ve already been drinking, but none of them seem hammered. Yet.

  “You guys celebrating something tonight?”

  “Yeah.” The man nearest me nods and gestures to another guy. “Théo here got a new job.”

  I smile at the man he gestured to. “Congratulations.” Okay, not a bachelor party. Whee.

  “He’s moving to California,” another guy says. “Tomorrow. Fucker.”

  Théo grins.

  My guess is…accountant. Théo’s a good-looking dude, with dark-rimmed glasses that give him a sort of sexy scholar look. His brown hair is cut short, but longer on top. Compared to the other guys, who are all dressed in casual clothes—although I notice expensive watches and more than one pair of red-soled shoes—he’s wearing a neat, button-down shirt over black dress pants. My gaze lingers on wide shoulders and flat abs. If he’s an accountant, he must work out. “What you are all drinking tonight?”

  I wait with a smile. They order bottle service—bottles of expensive vodka, scotch, and tequila.

  Back behind the bar, Crystal, one of my co-workers, says, “Lucky you, waiting on those guys!”

  “Mmm. Why?”

  “Don’t you know who they are?”

  “Well, one of them is Théo Somebody, and he just got a new job in California.”

  “They’re all hockey players! From the Nevada Mustangs!”

  “Ah.” We’ve had a hockey team in town for a few years now; they made quite an entertainment splash in Sin City.

  “Well, they’re not all players.” Crystal eyes the group. “I think the big older guy is the coach. I forget his name. And I don’t know who Théo is.”

  “You’re not much of a fan.” I flash her a teasing smile.

  “I’ve only been to a few games,” she admits. “But it was fun.”

  I pick up my tray loaded with glasses. I don’t know anything about hockey, and I don’t usually have time to watch much of it, between this and the two other jobs I was working until recently.

  The guys are all laughing uproariously about something when I arrive with their drinks, and I smile as I set things on the tables. No one grabs my ass as I bend over, so I count that as a win. Not only that, they all say thank you when I’m done. I’m impressed. Hopefully they’re good tippers.

  “Should I bring food menus by?” I ask, making eye contact with a couple of the men.

  “Yeah, yeah,” the first man who spoke says. “We should order some food.”

  “Absolutely.”

  After I’ve taken orders and served a variety of small plates for them to share, I take stock of the table to see if they’re getting low on anything. “Is your new job a promotion?” I ask the man named Théo.

  I’m not really flirting with him. I like to be friendly and make conversation with the customers I’m taking care of.

  “Yeah.” His grin is a little loose, like he’s well lubricated. “Sort of.” He runs a hand through his hair, messing it, which is very attractive. My gaze drops to his legs; he has one foot crossed over the opposite knee, wearing expensive-looking loafers, his feet and ankles bare—no socks. For some reason, this strikes me as insanely sexy, and I have a hard time looking away. “Whole new job.”

  “I’m sure you’ll do well at it.” I smile as I say it, even though I have no idea if that’s true. “Good luck.”

  The man sitting beside him snorts. “You’re gonna need a fuckton of luck.”

  This sparks my curiosity.

  “I sure as hell am,” Théo agrees. “That’s why I’m getting shitfaced tonight.”

  The other man’s forehead creases. “You sure you made the right decision, man?”

  I sense his genuine concern and surmise they must be pretty good friends.

  “I’m sure.” Théo nods, still smiling indolently. “You know me. Every decision carefully thought out.”

  “True.”

  “And I’m just joking about the luck. I got this, dude.” He lifts a hand, slaps it onto his friend’s thigh just above the knee, and squeezes.

  “Yow!” The guy flinches.

  Apparently Théo has strong hands.

  “Get your mitts off me, asshole.” The man shoves Théo, but they’re both laughing.

  I’m standing here watching them instead of working, and I give myself a mental shake. “Anything else I can get for you right now?” I keep my smile pleasant.

  This time Théo meets my eyes, and I feel a little zap through to my core, a sizzling connection. He’s more attractive than I first thought. Maybe it was the glasses, or maybe I just wasn’t paying attention, but there’s something about him that pulls at me. The corners of his mouth are tipped up and his eyes gleam, as if he wants to ask me for something inappropriate.

  And I kind of want him to do it.

  Chapter 3

  Lacey

  “We’re good for now,” one of the other guys says. Without taking my eyes off Théo, I smile and turn away.

  There are two other men now seated in my section I need to serve. I head their way with my smile in place. Immediately I feel creeped out by the way they look at me. I swallow a sigh, contrasting this with the group of hockey players.

  “Hi, Lacey,” one man says with a gross smirk. “I’m Ed. This here’s Lincoln.”

  Neither of these guys is attractive, although they’re both wearing suits and ties and are clean cut. “Hi, Ed. Hi, Lincoln.” I take their drink orders, ignoring the way their gazes roam over me even though a shiver crawls up my spine.

  Ugh.

  I get flagged down by another table on my way by, and I’m glad things are busy tonight. When Enrico sends me off for a break, I reluctantly head to the staff room. I grab my phone and take the elevator to the main floor so I can step outside for a few minutes and get some air.

  The night is balmy, the heat of the day easing now. Surrounded by the glitter of the Strip with the noise that goes along with it, I make my way across the stone terrace and sit on a low wall with flowers and greenery behind me. I unlock my phone and check to see if Chris has answered any of my texts or voice messages.

  Nothing.

  Damn.

  Blowing out a breath, I tip my head back and stare up at the night sky. No stars are visible with the light pollution of the city, just a blank dark canvas, the sky beam of the Luxor slicing through it.

  “Everything okay?”

  My head jerks around at the question, and I see Théo the hockey player standing near me. The evening breeze ruffles his thick hair as he tilts his head.

  “Oh. Yeah.” I press the button to darken my phone screen. “Fine.”

  “Boyfriend troubles?” He takes a seat on the wall near me.

  “No. Phht.” I shake my head. “No boyfriend.”

  “No?”

  “Nope.” I stretch my lips into a casual smile. This guy is apparently leaving for California tomorrow, so I don’t feel intimidated by his question. Or his presence, even though he’s a little drunk. “No time.”

  “Well, I’d say that’s sad except”—he gives me a rueful smile—“I know the feeling.”

  “So you’re not uprooting a girlfriend to move to California with you?”

  “Nope.” His mouth tightens briefly.

  “Did you get traded?” When they’d first
talked about his new job, I assumed he was an accountant, but now knowing he plays hockey, I wonder if he didn’t have a choice about this move.

  He laughs. “No. I don’t play hockey.”

  “Oh. Sorry. Someone said you were all hockey players.”

  “Not me.” He meets my eyes. “Not anymore, anyway. I was the assistant GM of the team. General manager,” he clarifies for me. “My new job is manager of a team.”

  “Ah. I see. What are you doing out here? Are you leaving?” I pause. “You better not be stiffing me on the bill.”

  He chokes out a laugh. “Ah, no. Just wanted some air. And don’t worry, the guys are good for the tab. I’m not paying.”

  “Nice of them.”

  He lifts one broad shoulder. “Yeah, I guess it is. They insisted on taking me out before I go. Ended up being my last night in town.”

  “Are you going to miss Vegas?”

  He purses his lips attractively, looking around at the people milling about the entrance, some coming, some leaving, others like us just hanging out. Laughter bursts from a group of people over near the fountain. “In some ways I will.”

  “How long have you lived here?”

  “Three years. It’s a crazy place, but it grows on you. How about you?”

  “Born and raised here.”

  “No shit.” He slides me a look. “Are there actually people who were born and raised here?”

  I hold my arms out to my sides. “Yep.”

  “I guess you like it then, since you’re still here.”

  “Not so much right now.” I bend my head to look at my phone again. “Sometimes this place sucks.”

  “Uh-oh. Something is wrong.”

  I shake my head, rising. “Nope, it’s all good. I need to get back to work.”

  He stands too. “I better get back before they think I passed out somewhere.”

  “Wouldn’t be the first time someone’s done that.”

  He laughs and rubs his face. “I’m drunk, but not that drunk.”

  We cross the luxurious lobby, past slot machines ringing and dinging, and step into the elevator that goes to the top floor. “Everything is over the top in Vegas,” Théo comments.

  “Yep.”

  He eyes me with what appears to be concern. Apparently I’m not doing a very good job of hiding my feelings. I need to do better.

  Except my evening isn’t going to get any easier.

  At Ed and Lincoln’s table, Ed gives me a smile that makes my skin crawl. “So, lovely Lacey. Sit and have a drink with us.”

  I smile politely. “I’m sorry, I can’t do that. It’s against the rules.”

  “How can that be? Tsk.” He looks around. “Who’s in charge here?”

  My smile slips, but I try to keep my expression pleasant. “Enrico is the manager on duty tonight.”

  “Send him over.”

  My stomach tenses. The last thing I need is to get into trouble here.

  Normally, I’d ask what the problem is and try to fix it, but I already know what the problem is. Swallowing a sigh, I say, “Of course.” And I go to hunt down Enrico.

  Enrico’s one of the better managers here, so when I tell him that they want me to have a drink with them and I refused, he rolls his eyes. “Do they think they’re at the Pink Pussy Club?” he mutters. “I’ll talk to them.”

  “Thanks.”

  I’m busy for a few minutes with the hockey gang, making eye contact with Théo as I pick up empties and see if they need anything else, but out of the corner of my eye I see Enrico talk to the men. My jaw drops to my chest when Enrico approaches me and says quietly, “Just sit with them for a few minutes. I told them you can’t drink on the job, but you can chat for a few minutes.”

  I level him with a hard stare. “What?”

  He shrugs.

  “Oh for…” I tip my head back briefly. I don’t know how they got him to agree to that. Probably a wad of cash.

  “I didn’t realize this was that kind of place,” Théo says to me. No one else hears, and Enrico has already gone.

  “It’s not,” I snap.

  He holds up his hands. “Kidding.”

  I sigh. “Sorry.” I force another smile. Despite our little conversation out front, he’s still a customer. “Other duties as assigned! I’ll be back shortly.”

  I take my time strolling to the bar with my tray, leaving it there, and slowly walking to the table with the two creepy dudes.

  “So glad your boss is a reasonable man,” Ed says.

  I sit and give him a tight smile. He is a customer, so I’ll be polite for a few minutes, but if he tries to touch me, I will punch him in the dick.

  “Your brother owes us a lot of money.”

  Shit. Fuck. Fucking fuckity fuck.

  “Where is he, lovely Lacey?” Ed reaches out to finger my hair and I jerk back.

  “Do not touch me,” I utter through closed teeth. “I don’t know where he is. I’ve been trying to get hold of him for days.”

  “Hmmm.” He eyes me as if trying to decide whether he believes me or not.

  “It’s true.”

  “You could be protecting him.”

  “I’m done protecting him.” Honestly, I’m not sure if that’s true or not. Chris is my brother, the only family I have left. I’ve been trying to help him and bailing him out for years. But it should be true. Because this is too much.

  “Really? Not sure I believe that.”

  “Chris said you might be able to help us out,” he continued. “So as not to end up with both his legs broken. Or maybe he takes a long drive out into the desert and…never comes back.”

  Jesus Christ. My throat constricts to the size of a cocktail straw. My insides tremble. “I don’t have any money,” I answer as coolly as I can. “Wish I could help, but Chris stole my money too.”

  “Yeah.” Ed leans in and shrugs. “Not surprising. Addicts get desperate. Especially when their lives are on the line.”

  I stare back at his vile brown eyes, his full lips curved into a nasty smile. Thoughts tumble around in my head but the only thing I can think is that I have to maintain my composure and not let on how scared and pissed I am.

  This isn’t my first encounter with bookies Chris has stiffed. But this time it feels scarier. These guys are scarier. And I know it’s because Chris owes them a lot more money this time.

  “There’s a way you can help Chris out.”

  “I’m not a call girl.”

  His smile makes my blood chill. “There’s good money in that. And you need money, don’t you, lovely Lacey?”

  “I’m not working for you.”

  He tilts his head. “You haven’t even heard us out.” He lays a pudgy hand on my forearm. I jerk it back and shove my chair away from the table. “We have an offer you won’t be able to refuse.”

  “Ha. Funny.” I’m about to stand when a body appears next to the table. A tall, broad, very fit body. I look up at Théo.

  The frown on his face has his eyebrows drawn down beneath the frame of his glasses. His eyes radiate wrath, and his mouth is a thin line. “Everything okay here?”

  “Yeah, yeah.” Ed scowls at him and waves a hand. “Bugger off, man.”

  I meet Théo’s eyes. Things are not okay, but I sure don’t need to drag him into this. “It’s all good.” I wave a hand casually. “I’m done chatting with these gentlemen anyway.”

  I stand and bestow a smile on them. “Another whiskey sour?”

  Ed glowers, but it seems he doesn’t want to make a scene. “Yeah.”

  I nod and keep my expression pleasant as I turn away. “I’m fine,” I tell Théo. “Go back to your friends.”

  Eyebrows still knit together, he giv
es a slow nod and walks to their table, but he shoots a glance back at Ed and Lincoln as he does so.

  I’m shaking both with fear and anger as I stride to the bar. My teeth are clenched so hard it’s a wonder my molars aren’t cracking. I need to get a grip on my emotions and do my job.

  What the fuck, Chris?

  Did he really send these guys to me? I’m going to break both his legs myself the next time I see him, which better be fucking soon.

  Chapter 4

  Théo

  Don’t ask me why I care about the waitress.

  Lacey.

  She’s pretty, sure. Big eyes, full lips, killer cheekbones shown off by her hair pulled back into a bun. And that little black dress shows off some sweet curves and long, sleek legs.

  I appreciate a gorgeous woman as much as the next guy, but I don’t usually hit on waitresses, and I sure as hell don’t get up and defend them from other customers. Well, in fairness, I’ve never actually seen something like that happen before. But still, what the fuck made me do that?

  Leaning back into the comfortable couch, I sip my whiskey and let my gaze fall on those two asswipes across the room. They annoy the hell out of me, for another mysterious reason.

  “What’s up, man?” Andy elbows me.

  Andy’s the director of hockey operations for the Mustangs. He’s my closest friend here in Vegas. Okay, pretty much my only friend. It’s not a good idea for me to hang out with the guys on the team who play hockey, or the other guys who technically work for me, and I’ve never had time to socialize much with people outside the hockey club, but I’ve known Andy since we played together for the Penguins. He’s a few years older than me, and he’s a good guy.

  “Nothing.”

  “Why were you talking to those guys?”

  “Looked like they were giving Lacey a hard time.”

  “Lacey?” He cocks an eyebrow.

  I elbow him back.

  “Never knew you were such a knight in shining armor.”

  I snort. “I’m not.”

  Lacey is back at their table and my muscles all tense, but she’s giving them their check. Good. That must mean they’re leaving.