Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 40969 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 205(@200wpm)___ 164(@250wpm)___ 137(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40969 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 205(@200wpm)___ 164(@250wpm)___ 137(@300wpm)
“Let’s go. I’ll keep to the outskirts and only step in if needed.” I brush off the comment about him staying in the back; it’s not like the entirety of Vegas doesn’t know Nico and I go back as friends since childhood. The only thing that isn’t open to the public is the business deal we struck, and we’ll be keeping it that way.
“Terry, please tell me you have security at the pool in the North Tower,” I bark into the phone. This is the last thing the hotel and casino needs right now.
“Two are en route, along with myself, Mr. Hayes,” he responds. That doesn’t stop Nico and me from booking it to the elevator, my thoughts worried about the repercussions, not even touching on the fact that a certain woman’s spa doors are right in front of what could become a fight and she could be mixed in the fray. And if Celeste gets caught up in it, that will have my blood boiling.
“Thanks.” I hang up the phone, press the button for the bottom level, and look at Nico. He’s shaking his head.
“I’m thinking we’ll need to double up on security before tomorrow if this is how it’s already starting.” I run my fingers through my hand. The thought of going home and sleeping in my own bed that isn’t a hotel room off my office is long gone.
“Not a bad idea. You have the manpower for it?” Nico asks once we finally hit the lower level. The doors slide open, and we both step out.
“I’m sure. Terry and I talked about keeping security down to a minimum for the first night. I’ll be changing that for the next shift that comes on,” I reply. Nico nods his head in agreement. The noise of the casino surrounds me, the clanking of slot machines, the chattering and laughing. The drinks are flowing, and maybe that’s something that needs to be monitored a little bit more.
“Not a bad idea.” Nico and I make it to the glass front doors, still too far away for my liking. I’m just hoping Terry is already there and things aren’t as bad as they seemed only moments ago.
FOUR
Celeste
Bone tired, utterly exhausted, dead on my feet. All of those feelings and more is how I’m feeling after the first successful night. When the crowds finally started dying down, I released everyone, including Tyra so she could actually get a full night of sleep before heading to her parents’ house to pick up Von at a decent hour in the morning. I stayed back, restocking everything that was cleared out from tonight, knowing very well I could have redone it in the morning. That’s not how my brain works, though. I’m a night owl, a gift probably from living in the city through my college and most of my adult life. I’d much rather sleep in an extra hour in the morning than have to get here earlier.
I’m picking up from bringing the boxes that are stored in the storage room out to the front, having kicked off my high heels when I started picking up around the place, trading them for my tried-and-true Birkenstocks, not that they match my dress. That’s okay, though, because I’m not out here trying to win the best dressed award or anything. The older I get, the more I realize being comfortable outweighs being fashionable. I finish tearing down the boxes and set them to the side by the front door, out of view so no passersby will see. Keeping that pristine look is of the utmost importance in owning a spa, along with always staying fresh and relevant.
My eyes zero in on the yelling that’s going on just outside the doors. This is not what I need, not at all. Instead of leaving like I planned, I return to the storeroom, clean things up a little bit more, throw my heels in my bag. Thankfully, I was smart enough to use a bigger bag than the usual small bum bag I store my keys, wallet, and phone in. I’m done doing everything that is needed to have the store ready, and as much as I hate the thought of stepping outside and dealing with a confrontation even though it’s not mine to deal with, there’s no telling what could or couldn’t happen. In a perfect world, the people carrying on a ruckus will calm down and I’ll slide out unnoticed; that’s never my luck, though.
“Alright, Celeste, stop pussy-footing around. Get your tail home, shower, and sleep.” I turn off the light in the back room, leaving the fluorescent sign on the wall above the receptionist area lit, one of the things that is listed as a must-do in the never-ending contract and employee handbook I had to sign. So, with my bag on my shoulder, gripping it tightly in my hand, along with my phone case that has a loop to hold it with your fingers, which makes it easier in case it’s needed—not going to lie I’m hopeful that I won’t—I head to the door. My keys are in my other hand. Maybe I can talk Monica and Pierre into changing the locks to a code. I could walk away and lock it with a few strokes on an app on my phone.