Page 64 of What Happens In Vegas
Chapter 26
Bonni stepped off the elevator into the crush of the crowd. She had to get to the front desk and find a room for tonight. She’d already switched her flight. Driven by a new determination, she pushed her way through the crowd.
Damn! You would think that, since Vegas never sleeps, the lobby would be deserted this early in the morning, but she was astounded at the number of people whowere gambling at all hours of the day. She could see a big line at the front desk and her heart dropped.I need a room!
‘Bonni.’ She halted when she heard her name, and turned. Landon approached.
‘Hi.’ She didn’t really know what to say to him. They’d had an enjoyable conversation at the patisserie, but Quinn had been there to smooth over the rough spots, and she hadn’t really spoken to Landonsince then. They’d not said more than a few words the other night in the bar before she’d left with Quinn. Things were even more awkward now that she knew Landon was equally as good as Quinn at certain things.Thanks a lot, Celia!
‘Howare you? Enjoying Vegas?’ The gleam in his eye indicated to her that he was referring to a whole lot more than just gambling.
‘Sure. You?’ She wasn’t about tosay too much. She had no idea if Quinn had told him about last night. When the parting words she had said to Quinn rang in her ears, she inwardly cringed. Glancing over Landon’s shoulder, she chewed her lip, desperate to get in the line.
‘Always. You never know what will happen in Vegas. Like, for example, you and Quinn meeting up.’
She narrowed her eyes and assessed him. What was he tryingto say? Her cop side started awakening from its vacation slumber. ‘I’m glad I met Quinn. He’s a very special man.’
Landon nodded. ‘I agree. He’s my brother, after all.’ He shot her a big smile. ‘He’s the sensitive one.’
‘And you are . . .?’
He raised a shoulder. ‘The ruthless one.’
She flashbacked to the veiled bedtime story Quinn had shared. Bonni looked up at Landon. ‘You don’t seem allthat ruthless to me. Nosey, maybe, but not ruthless.’
He laughed. ‘I like your candor. There’s no real need to be ruthless here. I consider myself on a quick vacation. But the boardroom is a different game.’
‘And Quinn, he’s not in the boardroom?’ Bonni asked the leading question and waited to hear his answer.
‘No, no. I’ve tried for years to bring him in, but he’s the independent one. Outto face the world and make a name for himself. But I know he’s considering coming back.’
Bonni glanced at the floor. She hadn’t really had a chance to let the end of Quinn’s story sink in.Doing something that he’s never wanted to do in order to be with his lady.She repeated her words from last night, ‘He should be able to be who he wants to be.’
Raisingher head, she gave Landon a fierce look.‘You’re just going to have to fire him if he decides to come back.’
Landon pressed his lips together and crossed his arms. ‘Well, now, don’t you sound just like him. So very protective.’ They maintained eye contact for an intense couple of seconds before he looked away. ‘So, will you be seeing each other after Vegas?’
‘If there’s anything I can do about it, then yes. I love him for who he is.Not who everyone wants him to be.’ Bonni heard her voice break and swallowed, determined not to lose it in the hotel lobby.
‘It won’t be easy,’ Landon warned. ‘It’s not your typical nine-to-five job. He goes to a lot of different places, and some of them are terrifying to think about. With the time differences, sometimes it’ll be days before you hear from him, and even then, his response couldbe just a quick email. And the money—’
Bonni interrupted angrily. ‘I don’t care about the money! And, yes, staying at home while he leaves me behind will be difficult, but to be with him, it would all be worth it.’
Landon regarded her thoughtfully. ‘I believe you mean that.’
‘I do mean it. Look, I’m not claiming this was an easy decision to make, especially since we haven’t known each otherlong, but it’s the right one. What Quinn and I have is worth exploring.’
Landon looked down to adjust the sleeves of his buttoned-down shirt and then said, ‘So stop talking to me and go find him.’
‘I have to book my room and then get my bags to concierge first. We were supposed to check out today.’ Bonni tried to keep panic from setting in.
Landon shook his head. ‘I doubt you’ll have a problemfinding a place to sleep tonight, not if my brother has anything to say about it, but I’ll take care of everything.’ He leaned downand brushed a kiss over her cheek. ‘I have a limo waiting at the valet. Go to him.’
Impulsively, Bonni threw her arms around him for a hug. She felt him startle, before he tentatively placed an arm around her shoulder to hug her back. Stepping back, she looked upand said, ‘Thank you. I really appreciate what you’re doing for me and Quinn. But, Landon, if you hurt Celia, I will find a way to add you to the no-fly list. I know people.’
Bonni pivoted on her heel and ran to the valet, hearing a crack of laughter behind her. Once in the limo, she texted her friends, asking them to throw all her stuff into her suitcase and that Landon would be stopping byto collect it.
Now that she was finally on her way to Quinn, she felt she could take a moment to breathe. She looked out the car window and last night’s bedtime story again came back in a rush. One line stood out in vivid clarity.
A girl who, in a very short space of time, turned his world upside down.
He’d been talking abouther.
Could he love her too?
