Page 4 of Sin Wagon
“Language, Delilah! I’m aware it’s a bit strange, but Daddy thinks it will be a good alliance for the company. He’s taking me to Lina’s, which is a little low-budget for a first date, in my opinion, but Daddy said he’s quite the catch. You know, at my age, beggars can’t be choosers.” She fakes a laugh and my eyes roll so far in the back of my head, I worry they'll get stuck.
“Why are we looking for a husband at your age? And why is Grandpa setting you up like it’s the fifties?”
“It’s not a good look to have a child as a single woman, Delilah. My god, I raised you alone this whole time after he who we don’t speak of disappeared the moment I told him I was pregnant.”
“I’m twenty-one. You don’t need a man to help raise me now. Plus, I haven’t even come to visit in three years and have no plans to. Staying away from Vermont is at the top of my list of things to do.” I unscrew the lid of my Lexapro bottle and throw one in my mouth before taking a drink straight from the tap.
“Yes, how could I forget you love to sully our good name by living in the city of sin? You really should come home and see if Daddy can find you a suitable match,” she encourages. “Plus, I don’t live in Vermont anymore. I live in Chicago with Daddy now, remember?”
How could I forget that the minute I left to go to college, my mother packed up our entire house in Vermont and moved back to Chicago and in with Grandpa.
“No thanks. I have to go, Mother. The city of sin awaits, and I’m sure there are at least two commandments I could break today.” I hang up, she's still squawking.
I brush my teeth and hair before applying some light makeup. Throwing on an off-the-shoulder shirt and biker shorts, I slip my Crocs on and head out the door to grab a coffee and get some errands done—including a morning-after pill.
Chapter 3
WELLS
My brother calling me last night telling me about our dad’s fucked up plan blew my idea to take Opal to the hotel all to hell. What they are doing is absurd, but apparently, all players are on board, which I think is crazy. Money makes people do stupid and crazy shit. As soon as I hung up, I drove back to the hotel and went to bed, planning to call my dad first thing today.
I should have at least asked her real name because calling the woman I fucked in an alley Opal seems odd. My flight leaves in a few hours, so I can’t even go back to Hidden Gems to see her again. I have her number, though, so I’ll text her later after I speak to my dad.
Grabbing my cell, I scroll through my contacts until I reach his and hit the call button. It only rings twice.
“Hello, son.”
“Dad,” I reply coolly.
“Your brother said he spoke to you last night and told you we’re contemplating a merger with Royal Flush Enterprise?Having their gaming systems exclusively in our hotels would be beneficial to both companies.”
“It would. But I don’t see why we can’t just buy them out or partner with them with an airtight contract. Why are we trying to merge our families in hopes of the business following suit?”
“This is the quickest way to make it happen. Plus, if your brother locks this down for us, he could be set to inherit both companies. Becoming a COO of two major corporations.”
“I guess you’re right. It just seems seedy. And it certainly wasn’t the emergency Jonas made it out to be. He interrupted my plans and made me miss out on something important.”
“Pussy isn’t important, Wells. You know, most women just want you for the lifestyle you can offer them. Jonas probably helped you dodge a bullet. Speaking of your brother, I need to go. Jonas and I have a board meeting in ten minutes.”
“I’ll be back tonight. My flight leaves in three hours. I’ll see you at family dinner tomorrow.” I hang up and flop back on the bed. This plan is shitty and could have millions of holes poked into it. But it’s not my deal; while I am a share owner in the family business, it’s not my source of livelihood like it is Jonas’.
When we came of age, it was very important to me to make my own money. My mother marrying my dad when I was thirteen made us wealthy and gave me an older brother. We’ve never used the step title; Roy has never treated me differently than Jonas, and Mom considers Jonas to be her son. I appreciate that now as an adult more than I did when I was young.
If I don’t hear about how the plan unfolds before Sunday, I’m sure I’ll hear all about it at dinner that night. It’s a smart move if it works out. Drew Salahan owns a sports betting and gambling company, while my dad owns a chain of hotels across the country. To merge the two would mean Covington Hotels would have exclusive rights to all Royal Flush Enterprise’s gambling machines and tables in the hotels, so it’s a win-win for everyone.
My next order of business is to send a text to Opal to say good morning and apologize for last night. She doesn’t respond right away, which I chalk up to her being busy. I sit up and get off the bed. I need to hit the shower before I head to the airport.
Once I’m out and dressed, I pack my stuff back into my suitcase and make sure all my papers are in order inside my briefcase. Checking my phone to see if Little Doe has messaged me back yet, a frown finds my face when there’s still nothing.
I was hoping to tell her when I’d be in Vegas next, so we could get together. She was a great conversationalist and a good fuck. I enjoy a woman who can let loose and not worry about rules or what others think. From talking to her, I know she dances for fun and the thrill of it.
She has an undergrad in marketing but works for herself at the moment, only taking clients she wants that find her online organically. Letting me fuck her in the alley told me she’s a free spirit and a bit of a rebel. If we were caught, there would have been charges; I’m sure my attorney could have them thrown out, but still.
Grabbing my suitcase and briefcase, I glance around to make sure I didn’t leave anything and head out, down to the lobby. After checking out, I toss my bags in the passenger seat of my rental car and drive the short trip to the airport. After entering the airport and dropping my bag off at the luggage counter, I pull out my phone. Still nothing except a text from Jonas wishing me a safe flight.
Shoving it back into my pocket, I make my way to my terminal. I’m far too old to sit around and wait for some woman to text me. If it was just a night of fun with an older man, so be it. There are plenty of fish in the sea and being a country apart never would have worked long term. Having good company in Vegas when I’m here once a month would have been fun and Iwould’ve loved to spend more time exploring her young, curvy body.
But luck isn’t on my side.
