Page 3 of His Lair
Me:
Fuck no. I don’t need to pay for pussy.
It’s not that I have anything against women in the sex industry. They have to make a living, and they’re using what they have. I just think there are better ways to make money. I also don’t want my dick in a hole a million others have been in too.
My phone screen lights up with Louie’s response. “He’s at least an hour away,” I tell Carlo.
“I’ll be back.” Carlo stands and walks down the stairs to the main floor. We’re at Innes, the hottest club in Wild Card. It’spacked tonight, and if I’m honest, I’d rather be anywhere but here.
Holding up two fingers, I gesture for the waitstaff. “Call me when Mr. Giuliani arrives. I’ll be in my office.” I then stand and head in that direction. I have more important things to do than sit around and wait for people.
I drop into my desk chair, turn on my computer, and open up last week’s reports. There isn’t anything that gets past my eyes when it comes to Wild Card.
After an hour and a half of no Louie anywhere, I take a quick stroll over to the Royal Flush to find out what the fuck is keeping him. I could call, track the GPS location on his phone, but not knowing where he is gives me an excuse to talk to Lailani. The way-too-young-for-me girl who works the front desk. The same girl who’s been appearing in my dreams for the last six months. Ever since that first day I saw her.
I usually have the restraint I need to avoid her. I’ve barely spoken to her, but Ialwaysnotice her. The fact that she’s so fucking innocentand youngis what keeps me away. Okay, she’s only eight years my junior. But, fuck, it feels like a lot more when you realize she’s still in college.
I approach the front desk and step behind it, leaning against the wall as Lailani finishes up with the guest she’s helping. While I’m waiting for her, I take out my phone and message Louie. There’s a chance Lailani doesn’t know where the fuck he is either.
Me:
Bossman, you got a heartbeat still? If not, I better be in your will. Where the fuck are you?
Louie:
Rooftop pool. I’m taking a pass on tonight.
What the fuck? He’s taking a pass on tonight? And what the fuck is he doing up at the pool?Unless he’s drowning someone, I don’t see why he’d be up there. And if he was drowning someone, I have no doubt he’d call us to help.
It doesn’t take Lailani long before she turns around and smiles at me. Her eyes downcast. She has a problem looking me in the eye.
“Mr. Russo, how can I assist you?” she asks.
By dropping to your knees in front of medoesn’t seem like an answer she’d take too kindly. “Have you seen Louie?” I ask instead.
“Ah, he went up to the pool about ten minutes ago,” she says.
“The pool?” I’m actually a little shocked she knows. I mean, I get if she’d just seen him walk past or something. But to get to the pool, he would have used the elevators, which are not in the line of sight of this desk.
“Yeah.” Lailani nods, still avoiding eye contact.
“Thanks, darlin’. Don’t work too hard,” I tell her before tucking my hands into my pockets and walking away. I don’t know what it is about that girl that gets under my skin. I’ve been trying to figure it out since the day she arrived on our doorstep.
Pushing through the rooftop door a few minutes later, I find Louie sitting on a lounger. He stands when he hears me coming. “Boss, not like you to go for a midnight swim.” And then I get a look at what—or should I saywho—has him hanging poolside at this time of night. “Ah, I think I see the appeal now,” I say themoment my glare lands on the gorgeous blonde currently in his company.
“Get your eyes off her.” Louie walks over, positioning himself behind me so I have to turn around to continue the conversation. “What are you doing here?” he asks.
“Checking up on your MIA ass,” I tell him.
“Well, now that you’ve seen I’m fine, you can leave.” He juts his chin towards the door I just walked through.
Huh, he really doesn’t want me around right now. Interesting.
“Sure.” I smile at him. “Right after I meet your friend.” I spin back around and walk over to the edge of the pool. “Hey there. I’m Sammie, and you are?” I hold out my hand to the woman.
Just before her fingertips reach mine, I’m falling forward and landing in the fucking water with a splash.
When I come up for air, Louie is plucking the woman out of the water. “Sorry about that. He looked like he wanted to sink.” He smirks at me.
