Page 21 of Don't Bet On It
I shrugged. “That’s never been my thing.”
Zach signaled a passing server. “We need another drink.” His eyes moved to me. “What will it be?”
“A beer,” I replied. “Whatever is on tap is fine.”
“We’ll have two more too.” Zach gestured toward his half-empty glass and Rex’s completely empty glass.
The server nodded and disappeared.
“I know I’m supposed to be grateful that my family has money and there’s a ready-made career for me out there,” I explained. “And I am grateful in some ways. I’m also resentful because I’ve never wanted to be captain of the casino.
“The thing is, unlike in your family, I don’t have any other siblings to take on the load,” I continued. “I’m an only child, and it’s expected that Iwilllearn the ropes and Iwilltake over.”
Zach nodded, thoughtful. “I wasn’t sure I wanted to be involved in the family business either,” he admitted. “Eventually, I decided I did. That didn’t mean I wanted to do things my father’s way.”
“Your father sounds even more difficult than mine,” I acknowledged.
“My father is a first-class ass who cheated on my mother, embezzled from the family, and treated my sisters like crap,” he confirmed. “What’s wrong with your father?”
“He’s not a terrible man,” I said hurriedly. I didn’t want them thinking of my father as a villain. That wasn’t how I saw him. “He’s just very obstinate. He refuses to accept that I don’t want to take the reins from him.”
Rex shifted in the booth next to me. “What happens if you don’t take over? Like … does he have a backup plan?”
“I have a cousin who is desperate for the job.” I managed a smile. “Lance. He’s my father’s sister’s son. He’s been all about the casino since we were teenagers. He took a job as a valet in high school just like I did, but he really vibed with the scene. I did it because it was expected of me.”
“And your father doesn’t want to entertain the idea of your cousin working with him?”
“No, he does not.” I was rueful as I shook my head. “He has no problem with Lance working in the big offices, maybe in the financial division or hotel management. He wants me to sit in the big chair, though.”
“And you’re determined not to do that?” Zach asked.
I shrugged. “My heart has never been in this industry.” How could I explain this to Las Vegas born and bred men who had embraced the lifestyle? “I’m not even sure I want to live here forever. Vegas is … well, it’s Vegas.” I let loose a rueful laugh.
The server returned with our beers, and I took advantage of the lull to sip my beer. I was more together once I’d swallowed. “The thing is this,” I explained, “I want to be an artist. I like to paint and sculpt. I want to travel the world and visit museums.”
My cheeks burned because I could feel their steady gazes on me. “I’m just not geared toward the business end of things.”
“And that’s okay,” Zach said. “Honestly, I think it’s cool you have other interests. That doesn’t explain why you’re working here, though. That’s the part I don’t understand.”
“I need money,” I replied on a shrug. “I have a dream to start my own studio and, later, a gallery. Probably here.” I was sheepish. “Eventually, I would like to become big enough on the art scene that I can start a gallery somewhere else too—maybe even Paris because I’ve always loved that city—but I need to start small.”
Realization dawned on Zach. “You can’t work in your father’s casino because he would melt down.”
“Yup.” I held out my hands. “Dealers make decent money. I’m familiar with the process, so I breezed through all the training. I don’t plan to be here forever. I would never say otherwise. I can save up decent money working here, though.”
“And you wanted to be in a higher-end casino because the tips are better,” Rex guessed.
“I’ve socked a good chunk of change away since I started,” I confirmed. “I figure it will take three years to get enough to start my studio. I likely will remain on afterward for at least another year or two because we all know how new businesses go. Once the studio is established with paying artists, I’ll move on to the gallery.”
“New businesses are rough,” Zach said. “It’s an interesting plan.”
“But you don’t believe me,” I guessed.
“I didn’t say that.” He vehemently shook his head. “I just want to make sure that you’re not here on some secret mission for your father. That was my first assumption when Tallulah said you were working here.”
I froze with my glass halfway to my mouth. “I’ve talked to you multiple times since I started working here,” I said to Rex. Inside, I was steaming at Tallulah and her big mouth. I played it cool, however. “How did you not already know that?”
Rex was sheepish. “I thought your last name was Jones. I knew your first name was Ronan, but I never put it together that you were Ronan Hawthorne.”
