Page 17 of Devil of Vegas

“Like arm candy.”

“Like the sophisticated dancer and beautiful woman that you are,” I say.

“Hang on a second,” she says as she considers my proposal. “Aren’t you trying tohideme? If I attend a high-profile event as your date, then won’t that let everyone know that you’re keeping me as a prisoner here?”

“Not if it looks like you’re accompanying mewillingly.” It’s a plan that I thought of right after Luciano left my office. He was right about me not being able to keep Isla as a hidden captive forever, and since I refuse to kill her, then what better solution than to change the narrative entirely.

“That will never work,” she protests. “Word will get out, and it will get back to Madame Durant that you have me here. She’ll never believe that I disappeared and re-emerged here as your?—”

Isla stops short, unsure how to finish that sentence.

“What evenamI if not your prisoner?” she asks.

It’s a good question, one that I haven’t figured out an answer to yet.

“I think Celeste Durant will have no trouble believing it,” I say as I lay the dress down on the top of her bed. “Especially when she hears it straight from your own mouth.”

“What? She’s going to be there at the gala?”

“I havemanyacquaintances in the city that I deal with. You might recognize some of them.” I leave and let Isla get dressed, knowing now that she won’t refuse to accompany me. She’ll jump at the chance to see her dance instructor again, and she likely thinks that Celeste Durant will help her escape by my side tonight. But what Isla doesn’t yet know is thateveryonein attendance at my club tonight will be under my strict control,includingMadame Durant. That woman won’t do anything to jeopardize her precious dancer’s safety, and I’ve already warned her not to cause me trouble.

I smooth the lapel of my black suit with the palm of my hand while I wait for Isla in the penthouse living room. I’m in no rush to get down to the event. Being fashionably late lets people know they are onmytime and not the other way around.

Junior opens the penthouse door to let Zara inside.

“Please tell me that the dress fits,” she says as the two of them walk in.

I shrug. “Not sure. She’s still in there getting changed. Perhaps you could go see if she needs any help.”

“Sure,” she smiles as she walks past me toward the bedroom. She gives me a cheeky wink on the way. “You clean up nice, Vincent.”

I catch Junior stifling a chuckle from the corner of my eye that he quickly hides. My crew’s youngest, Zara and Junior, remain unspoiled by life’s harsh realities. Unfortunately, they will be. We all are at some point, some more than others.

“Have they beefed up security for the evening?” I ask.

“Yes, sir,” Junior nods dutifully. “Extra men at each door and several sweeping throughout the event all night. There are two guys posted on every floor of the building. One soldier is doubling as bartender, pouring drinks with Gabriel for the event.”

“Perfect.” I don’t expect any trouble inside my club, but it’s my job to ensure that all of my business partners feel safe. Some of them don’t know each other well and may not get along, increasing the likelihood of disagreements. If that were to happen, my men would quickly shut it down.

“Oh, and Alonzo and his daughter are already downstairs too,” he adds.

“He brought Serena? I don’t remember inviting everyone’s family members to my gala.”

“He said that he thought bringing Sera might be advantageous, since she’s part of the dance world. He thought maybe she could monitor Madame Durant for you.”

It’s not abadidea.

“Fine,” I say. “But I don’t want that girl talking to Isla. I’m not sure how well the two dancers know each other, and I don’t want to take any chances.”

“Understood.” Junior talks into his earpiece and advises Alonzo of my directive. “Yes, that’s what the boss?—”

I look up when Junior cuts off mid-sentence to see what’s caught his attention, and when I see Isla standing in the hallway just outside the living room, my breath stops.

She isstunning.

“I’d say I picked out theperfectdress,” Zara says upon seeing my reaction. “What do you think?”

I can’t even bring adequate words to my lips. I’ve seen nothing so lovely in my entire life. Throughout my time, I’ve encountered many beautiful women who have visited my casino and attempted to end up in my bed. But never—and I meannever—have I seen a woman thisgorgeous.

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