Page 57 of Cocky Prince
“Decoy names we’ve come up with for the drugs our members might wish to procure during their stay,” he says. “We learned from Bliss 1.0 that keeping drugs in-house could be problematic, so our escorts deliver them when they arrive.”
“Which also encourages members to use escorts if they want drugs.” And—Jesus—puts the criminal liability on the poor girl delivering them.
Paul smirks. “Exactly. They pay the price of two for one. Though once the escort arrives, I can’t imagine they’ll want her to leave.” He grins licentiously. “By the way, how did you like the product I sent to your house? Haven’t used it all up, I hope? That was top grade. Costs us a fortune, but we have an inside connection.”
The prostitutes and cocaine Paul sent to my house were more than a test of my discretion; they were a sample. Wonderful.
I knew there had to be more to Bliss with the way Paul and William were acting, I just didn’t want there to be a problem. I told myself that as long as Blackwell kept everything legal, there wasn’t an issue, and he did. People bring drugs to the casino all the time. Everything else I’ve seen this morning isn’t necessarily illegal in Nevada either. But it’s enough to have my alarms sounding.
The casino is staying within legal limits, but just barely. What’s stopping them from crossing that line every now and then if it brings in extra cash? That’s what this venture is about for Blackwell. Revenue. In large quantities.
I was selfish because I didn’t want to lose something I’d never done without. I wanted the cash as badly as Blackwell and the others, but my morals are all jumbled up now. I’m a little less lax and a lot more wary, because I have more to lose. I don’t want a lifestyle that doesn’t involve Hayden, and I sure as hell don’t want her mixed up in whatever this is. I’m certain I’m not seeing all of it.
Discretion,Paul and William said. I figured the Bliss members didn’t want anyone knowing about their sexual affairs and the drugs they brought in. But why would Paul threaten me into keeping Bliss a secret? Why wouldn’t they advertise Bliss to the public?
Something isn’t adding up.
Paul finishes his grand tour of Bliss and I return to my office. The hazy summer clouds paint the lake a gray-blue outside my window. Paul made it clear that to talk about Bliss would be unwise. If Blackwell is working with drug dealers, what else might he be willing to do to keep Blue Casino profitable?
I pull out my cell phone and make a couple of calls, one of them to Jeb Kendrick, Gen’s father. To hell with discretion and confidentiality. I tell Jeb about Bliss, and we discuss options for looking into who’s backing the drugs.
Paul has given me details about Bliss on an incremental basis. I’m not backing out, but I’m moving forward cautiously.
I wanted Hayden away from Bliss because of the secrecy and weirdness Paul and William exhibited over the venture, which is why I suggested our bet. Later, Paul’s threats lent more ammunition for keeping her out of things. The more I know, the more I’d like Hayden to leave town. The escorts, the drugs, not to mention the sex dungeon—which I’m pretty sure the casino isn’t licensed for—it’s the kind of atmosphere that breeds trouble.
Hayden returned to Lake Tahoe to prove she deserves to be here. She wouldn’t leave even if I outlined all of the above. If anything, it would spur her on. She’d want to find evidence to take to the police, just like Lewis said.
Blackwell doesn’t want Hayden involved in Bliss, and I’m guessing that’s because he realizes Hayden wouldn’t hesitate to call him out. Smart man.
I have no idea how to manage my relationship with Hayden and my involvement in the venture. I like my job, and I think I can make it work. Bliss could well turn out to be on the up-and-up, but given the behavior of my coworkers and boss, I’ll keep in touch with Jeb just in case.
I should put a halt to what’s building between Hayden and me. If it turns out Bliss is more than I bargained for, I have decisions to make that could be dangerous. Associating with me right now isn’t smart, if it ever was.
But I’m a selfish asshole. I let Hayden walk out of my life once. I won’t do it again.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Hayden
The instructionsfor the new HR software are making me crazy. I check the form the database manager sent me one more time. They still make no sense.“Grrr!”
A second before I throw my keyboard across the room, Adam steps into my office and locks the door behind him.
I swivel toward him, my heart rate increasing. Whatever frustrations I felt are forgotten as I watch him stalk across the room. I’ve been thinking about him all day, wondering if I dreamt this morning and our connection over the weekend. Everything is different. I’m trying to not overthink Mira’s question about being in love. I amnotin love with Adam.
I am inlikewith him. Heavy, heavy like.
In typical Adam fashion, his hair is combed, his suit couture—and not at all like the man I glimpsed these last two days. The dark intent in his eyes, however, is exactly what I saw beneath that polished exterior. The same eyes that made me mad with lust this morning.
I stand. I don’t know why, but I do. And then I’m being swept up into his arms.
“I missed you,” he murmurs, and kisses me.
I wrap my arms around his shoulders and slide my fingers into his hair. I’m ruffling it, and I don’t care. He is polished and beautiful, but he’s also the sweet guy who fell asleep on my bed last night. And he’s kissing me again, when I wasn’t sure he would.
Adam backs me up against the desk and presses his body to mine. “I have a question for you.”
“Um-hmm,” I mumble, kissing the corner of his mouth and his neck. God, he smells good. I need to bottle this shit so I can sniff it whenever I need a pick-me-up.
