by Ethan Egorov
“Really are you serious? I thought you agreed that we were going to be low-key for the rest of our time here?”
“It’s only once that you get to be in Vegas with the woman of your dreams. I’m taking advantage of this moment thank you very much.” Kristina rolled her eyes and then smiled at Trent. “Go on.”
“I’ll make it brief. Kristina, we’ve been on many adventures in the past, but I don’t think there’s been one that I’ve been anticipating as much as this one. Here’s to a weekend of fun and shenanigans. The best part about any of it is though, that I know I’ll be coming home to you. I love you, Kristina.” They then clinked glasses together and Kristina looked at her champagne solemnly before looking back up at Trent and giving him a weak smile. She then raised her glass and gave him another broad smile. “Well here we go, bottoms up!”
Chapter 7
After they had several drinks at the bar, Trent started looking throughout the casino. “Hey I think I’m going to go check out some games, wanna come?”
“Ya know, I think I’ll go with you just to see what’s out here. You know I’m not much of a gambler.”
“I know but you may be my lucky charm. You know what they say about luck being a lady.”
“So you keep telling me.”
They walked hand in hand to the center of the room, where Trent could see there was a game already in play at the poker table. He wanted to join one eventually before their evening ended, so until he had the chance to, he decided not to fall into the trap of spending all of his cash at the roulette wheel in hopes of landing the big jackpot. Instead, he would focus his energy on some slots until a place could open up at the table. “Yeah… I’m not up to the roulette table just yet. Do you wanna go hit some slots with me?”
“Nah. I’ll pass, instead I think I’m going to go make a bet on some ponies. I’ll catch up to you, okay?”
“Yeah. If there’s good odds let me know, I may place a wager or two too.”
“Fine. I’ll see you soon Trent.”
Kristina took her nearly full champagne glass and after giving Trent a quick peck on the cheek walked towards the other side of the casino while Trent walked to the outer rim of the room where there was a line of slot machines lining the perimeter. He walked to one that looked like it had been vacant for some time and got comfortable on the stool. He then began to insert his coins into the slot and pulled the handle. Of course he wasn’t an immediate winner. He didn’t expect it, he knew that it took a while for the machines to repeat their patterns until a winning line was triggered. Trent sat at the machines and happily sipped his drink, thinking about Kristina. Through the years she had proved to be somewhat flighty, but he was now convinced that he could persuade her to actually settle down and start a life with him. At least, if not he’d kill himself trying.
Kristina walked to the parlay booth in the corner of the casino. She sat down in front of the widescreen televisions that hung high on the wall and examined the list for the next race, which was to begin shortly. After looking at the list of names, she decided that she’d go ahead and place her bets. She pulled some cash out of her bag and smiled at the booth attendant. “Hi, do you think you have the winner pegged?”
“Oh I most certainly do.”
“I think I’m gonna pick “Lulu is 27” for the winner.”
“Hmm. Interesting choice, so you’re going against the odds tonight?”
“Yeah let’s just say that I want to do something a little unexpected for once.”
The young man smiled at her and took her money, giving her a slip of paper. She then sat back down on the lounge and pulled out her phone. She checked her messages again and frowned. She hadn’t gotten any new messages from her new client indicating any travel arrangements had been made for her job. She hoped that this weekend venture with Trent wouldn’t get in the way of a meeting. She needed a vacation just as much as anyone, but at the same time she didn’t want to sacrifice her career for it. She definitely wouldn’t have expected Trent to stop in the middle of a job just to take her on a fabulous holiday. He would though. Trent was if anything, reliable. She smiled at the thought of him. She knew that when all bets were off that he would still be there patiently waiting for her. Not many men would do that. He had witnessed the rise and fall of many of her relationships and he had waited for her. Shouldn’t that mean something?
Trent shifted his neck from left to right and sighed deeply. He wished that Kristina was standing behind him to rub his shoulders. He’d lost track of time and his back and shoulders had begun to ache. Despite how much he knew about the woman, there were parts of her life that were still a mystery to him. Of course he didn’t know that she was still a virgin. In the long run it didn’t matter to him one bit, but he also knew somehow that meant extra responsibility for him. He didn’t’ want her screaming from the room in horror after they finally got down to business. He also didn’t want her to regret her decision either. He’d seen that happen before on multiple occasions.
He pulled the handle one more time and watched a line of oranges and cherries line up in a row. The machine glowed with a surge of electricity and came alive with bells and an alarm. He’s worked the machine long enough that the slots paid off, pouring buckets of coins from its slot. He placed a container underneath the slot and began to collect his winnings. The coins pooled into the bottom and Trent smiled. It appeared that he had won hundreds. As he was changing out his container for an empty one, he drained the rest of his champagne glass and sat it on a small table by the slot machine. It was then a melodious voice hummed in his ear. “Wow. It looks like you’re the big winner on these tonight. How’d you manage that?”
Trent looked up to see a curvaceous woman dressed in black from head to toe standing over him. She had dark hair and angled, Asian features. Her leather jacket fell over her body and Trent noticed how it draped over her hiding what was in Trent’s estimation, a very nice figure. He noticed that she was waiting on him to respond to her question but he could only open and shut his mouth once more when he looked into her hazel eyes. “Um. Wow. Luck, I guess.”
“I’m glad you believe in luck. I can’t say that I ever have. Care to take some of those winnings and buy a lady a drink?”
Chapter 8
He looked around for Kristina and didn’t see her anywhere in the area. He just assumed that she had placed her bet and decided to stay in the lounge area to watch the race. Frowning at the fact that she seemed more distant now than when they first arrived, he looked at the beautiful woman standing in front of him and swallowed a lump that had formed in his throat. “I um…”
“What? You were waiting on someone? Well that’s a shame, I suppose I’ll have to wait with you now won’t I?”
“Um..yeah, I mean that’s fine. I’m sorry I didn’t catch your name? I’m Trent.”
“Hi Trent. It’s nice to meet you. You’ll find out my name soon enough, until then just know that no matter what she says about you, I think you’re very attractive.”
“Wha? What are you talking about?”
“You’ll find out soon enough. Now how about that drink? I’ve had a long day.”
“Listen lady… I don’t know who you think I am, but I don’t know you from Eve and I don’t intend on buying you a drink so why don’t you go hustle someone else.”
“That’s what you think this is? You’re sadly mistaken.”’
Before Trent could continue to argue with the mysterious woman Kristina rounded the corner and Trent saw her jaw drop as the woman put her hand on Trent’s shoulder and leaned in closer. She quickened her pace and looked at Trent with a look that could have melted steel. “Trent! What are you doing?”
“Nothing, I was just sitting here collecting my winnings.” Before she had a chance to berate Trent for his apparent infidelity the woman standing beside Trent turned around and said, “Wow. I can’t believe it, you’re still the same bitch I know and love.”
“Fuck you Cassandra. What are
you doing here?”
“Oh Kristina darling, that’s no way to talk to an old friend now is it?”
“I was just trying to get Trent to get us some drinks.”
“Hmm. I see. Well, fuck me. I would say I’m glad to see you, but you’re like an albatross your presence is always an indication that something’s going to happen.”
As Trent watched the conversation between them grow tenser, he cleared his throat. He knew that before long their voices would rise and it would provoke the curious looks from bystanders and the staff. “Ahem. Ladies, why don’t we take this conversation someplace a little more private, shall we? I’m afraid that the walls may have ears.”
They both turned their glares from one another to look at Trent and then nod. Cassandra reached into her pocket and pulled out a rectangular business card. She handed it to Kristina, who took it without hesitation. “I should be going anyway. When you’re finished with whatever it is you’re doing here, come see me. I’ve got a nice place down near the end of the strip. If you do, let’s put it this way…you’d be doing me a favor.”
Trent and Kristina watched as she exited as quickly and quietly as she entered the room. It was almost as if she were invisible because no one even batted an eye as she walked by the ushers. “Kristina, what was that about? Who the fuck is she?!”
“Come on Trent… let’s go back to our hotel, I think this is going to be a long night.”
They got in the car and Drew pulled off. He was already waiting on them as if he knew they were ready to leave. “Wow that was quick. I didn’t even have to text you Drew.”
“Oh, I had a gut feeling that you’d be leaving early. At least that’s what the message that I got so rudely in the middle of dinner said.”
“What message? Drew I didn’t send you anything?’
“Well it’s here on my phone with an exact time to pick you up. I don’t ever recall you threatening to fire me in the past for being late either? You care to explain that?” Kristina laid her head back on the seat the groaned in exasperation. “Ugh Cassandra! No, Drew. Don’t worry about that, she’s an old friend of mine. She gets, um overzealous at times.”
“So it was a fake text?”
“Exactly.”
Drew quickly dropped them off and they proceeded to go upstairs. Kristina pulled off her outfit and tossed it to the side, pulling on one of Trent’s t-shirts and a pair of worn jeans. She then changed her shoes into a pair of sensible sneakers and pulled her long, red hair back and slightly upwards on her head, forming a ponytail. “What are you doing? Are you going to explain to me what’s going on?”
Kristina only continued to gather a few of her things and put them in a casual bag which she promptly threw over her shoulder. Trent then watched in dismay as she went to her dresser and pulled out one of her handguns. She checked the clip to make certain it was secure then she put it in a holster and strapped it around her body. She grabbed one of her own red leather jackets and snugged it over her form tightly so it concealed the weapon.
“Trent what the fuck are you waiting on. Change clothes and come on, get ready. Fuck, I mean you see me getting ready.”
“Kristina…slow the fuck down and tell me what’s going on.”
“I’ll tell you exactly what the fuck is going on when I know. What we do know though, is that our ‘driver’ is receiving messages not from you, but someone pretending to be you and that should concern you. Now change your clothes and for fuck’s sake get geared up.”
Trent knew better than to argue with Kristina when she was in one of her headstrong moods. This was no exception. He quickly took off his dress shoes and nice pants. He then pulled on one of his favorite pairs of jeans and was slightly disappointed that Kristina didn’t even bat an eyelash at his state of undress. She was a million miles away and her gaze was intently focused elsewhere. It was like she was lost in a memory that Trent had no part of whatsoever. Trent took a deep breath and exhaled. He unbuttoned the shirt that he thought Kristina would appreciate and threw it on the bed taking no care in how it landed or if it even wrinkled. He then went to his dresser and pulled out a solid black t-shirt. After reapplying his deodorant he pulled the fabric over his head and around his torso. The cotton pulled against his broad shoulders and large chest muscles, clinging to his body, leaving him looking more built that what he actually was. He also took the time to attach his own holster and loaded up his trusty Colt. He wasn’t much of a distance sharpshooter like Kristina, but he preferred hand-to-hand combat and close range weapons while he was working. He then threw on his faded and worn black leather jacket and pulled on his black and white Chuck Taylor’s.
He walked to the door and glared at Kristina saying, “Well what the fuck are you waiting for? Let’s go.”
They rode in silence to the end of the Strip and Drew dropped them off at the end of the street. Trent once again told the man he appreciated him and apologized for the earlier confusion. He honestly didn’t know when to tell the man to come pick them up so he just told him to go home for the night that they would figure something out. Trent and Kristina stood in the low light in front of the tattoo parlor and looked at Kristina pleadingly. “Listen…I’m in your life right now and despite the fact that I just wanted to have a relaxing weekend, we’re here for some reason. Do you care to tell me what’s going on?”
“Jesus Trent, you just don’t fucking give up do you? You’re like a dog with a bone. Fine. I met Cassandra when I was in Paris on a job. She had apparently been called in as well on the same hit and I didn’t know. She has connections that I could only dream about, so I let her take the point on the job. I actually learned quite a bit from her about keeping a low profile. Anyway, we became close friends until one day she just up and disappeared. It kind of broke my heart, because you know I don’t have many female friends.”
“Yeah, but why are we here.”
“I suppose this is her new base of operations, I don’t really know, but I know if she’s in trouble or needs help it’s the right thing to do.”
“You know what I’ve learned through the years, Kristina?”
“What’s that?”
“I’ve learned that doing the right thing can get you buried quicker than anything. I hope you do have your affairs in order.”
“Don’t worry, Trent. I do and guess what? You’re being such a dick right now that I highly doubt any of my final plans will include you. If you don’t want to be here then call Drew back and get the fuck out of the way. I’m going to see what my friend needs.”
Trent’s mouth dropped open and he didn’t even bother to retort. He knew Kristina’s loyalty was legendary, but he also knew that she had a penchant for trouble. He pulled open the glass door, sending the bells on it jangling as he followed her inside the business. Trent looked around when they entered and realized there was nothing in particularly different about the shop. Various drawings lined the walls with a smattering of different designs and styles. On the walls were a few bigger pieces that he was assuming whomever own the shop completed. After all, he knew that most tattoo artists had formal training and had more than likely spent a few years in either art or design school. Underneath the steady stream of rock music he occasionally heard the buzzing of a needle and knew that someone was getting a piece completed. Kristina suddenly took Trent’s arm and smiled at him softly. “Listen, Trent. I’m sorry I yelled at you earlier. You just don’t understand how emotional this is for me. I mean Cassandra was a great comfort to me, especially when I was overseas and then she just went away without explanation. That shock, well it’s put me in a mood.”
“I understand, Kristina, but I’m here now. You just can’t keep shutting me out of your past. Hell, you can’t just shut me out of your present either. Ever since we got here, it’s like you’re a million miles away. I’m starting to think you don’t want me here.”
“Trent, trust me. It’s not like that at all. I absolutely adore you. It’s just that—“
“Well wel
come to my little shop here. I’m pleased to see that you two made it. See anything you like?” They were interrupted by Cassandra’s melodious voice once again and Trent noted her heavy inflection on her last statement. He almost coughed at the suggestiveness, but instead he only swallowed a lump that formed in his throat and took Kristina’s hand within his own, feeling her delicate skin on his fingertips. Kristina freed her hand from his grip and followed Cassandra to the back of the shop where even more personal artwork lined the walls. Trent studied them and noted the subject matter was mostly animals, but then he also saw a striking oil painting that hung above Cassandra’s door. It was an elegant nude of a woman stretched out on a bed, with sheets pooling at the bottom. The woman looked happy in the painting, yet that was a touch of lust in her eyes too. Bedroom eyes, that’s what Trent always called them. He could only assume that Cassandra had either slept with the model or caught the aftermath of the event.
When they entered the office, Kristina went to Cassandra and wrapped her arms around the woman’s neck and pulled her into a tight embrace. “Fuck, Cassandra. Look at you. You look great. It’s been forever. So what the fuck happened to you? Why are you here?”
Chapter 9
“Well… there’s a reason why I needed you to come here tonight. Sigh. You know that I left some unfinished business in Paris? Well let’s just say that I may have ticked off some guys in high places. I need your help. You were the best shot I’ve seen for quite some time. You also have a finesse with the shotgun that I never will, so I need a favor.”
Trent eyed Kristina warily. “Kristina… what are you thinking about doing?”
Cassandra ignored Trent’s objections and continued. “They wanted me to do a kid and I refused. Since I’m now part of any collateral damage from that, they’re after me. I need your help, fuck I guess I’ll admit it. I need your protection.”
