Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 30717 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 154(@200wpm)___ 123(@250wpm)___ 102(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30717 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 154(@200wpm)___ 123(@250wpm)___ 102(@300wpm)
But the saleslady won’t be dissuaded.
“Oh, that’s okay!” Corinne exclaims, her face lighting up with a too-white smile. “I can make time for you, Mr. O’Lachlan. I can be available as early as 4 a.m. or as late as 3 a.m. for tours, talks, galleries, nightclubs, breakfast, lunch or dinner! I’m at your convenience.”
I shoot her a level look.
“So you’re available around the clock for practically any activity.”
“Yes, basically!” the saleslady chirps happily. “We pride ourselves on our unparalleled customer service in Vegas, and I’m happy to say that I’m an all access kind of gal. Would you like to dine at a Michelin-starred restaurant, perhaps, or attend a celebrity-studded boxing match? Or perhaps you’d like to see one of our famed shows? Adele is out, but I hear Britney will be coming back any day now. She needs the money you know,” the saleslady adds in a hushed tone, as if letting us in on a secret. “All those TikTok dance videos where Britney prances around in a bikini at age forty? I’m sorry, but no one pays to see that. What a chunky monkey!”
“Hey, what are you saying?” my sister protests, her cheeks going pink. “I love those dance videos! Britney may be forty, but she looks good. She’s healthy, beautiful, and out from under her controlling family now. Free Britney!”
Corinne retreats immediately, sensing her misstep.
“Of course, I absolutely support Britney Spears’ liberation,” she says hastily. “Go female empowerment! Go suffragists! Together we’ll break the chains of love!”
My sister and I shoot each other a look because this is getting fucking weird. Isn’t Chains of Love a song by Erasure? I suppose Britney’s conservatorship could be loosely described as “the chains of familial love,” but it’s still fucking weird. I smile tightly and turn to my sister.
“Ains, did you want to get that bag? Let’s make a decision.”
My sister purses her lips while stroking one hand up and down the red animal skin.
“How much did you say it is again?”
The saleslady smiles, her white teeth ghastly against her red lips.
“One hundred thousand even,” she simpers. “And we have it in blue too.”
To my horror, my sister perks up.
“Oooh, I love blue! Can I see that one too?”
“Certainly, Miss O’Lachlan,” Corinne simpers while shooting me a look. “The deep azure color will match Mr. O’Lachlan’s eyes so well. It’s in the back. I’ll just go get it. Give me a sec!”
That’s all I need to hear because I’m not sticking around this joint any longer. The overt flirting and desperate behavior gets under my skin, and I feel like I’m breaking out in hives.
“So yeah, get whatever you want,” I growl while standing. “Here’s my credit card. Treat yourself, Ains.”
My little sister smiles sweetly while palming the black Amex.
“Thanks Patrick,” she sings. “I’ll be sure not to give your number to Corinne when she comes back.”
I shoot her a look before stalking to the door.
“You better not,” I growl. “Otherwise, you’re on a plane home, Ains. I mean it.”
To the sound of her pealing laughter, I let myself out, blinking in the bright Vegas sun. The Strip is packed with tourists this afternoon, and someone bumps me on the right as I begin walking down the street.
“Oooh sorry, didn’t mean to hit you,” a young girl giggles, her arm linked through a friend’s. Both girls are dressed in tight cocktail dresses and sparkly high heels despite the fact that it’s 2 p.m.
“Can we buy you a drink?” her brunette friend asks, batting her lashes at me. “Usually, we expect men to pay for us but we can make an exception for you, Mister.”
“The Diamond Lounge is right over there,” the first teenager hums merrily, flipping her blonde tresses over one shoulder. “I know the bartender, so we’ll get our drinks at a discount. Or maybe even free,” she adds with a coy smile.
I pause to contemplate their offer, but then shake my head because these girls are obviously jail bait. Beneath the spackled-on make-up, there’s acne on their foreheads and chins. In fact, when I look closely, the brunette has clear braces on her teeth. Fuck, they’re too young and I have too much at stake to go down this path.
“Thanks ladies, but I’m going to have to pass,” I growl before reaching into my billfold and handing them a hundred dollar bill. “Enjoy yourself though. Say hi to the bartender and make sure to order mocktails.”
“Oh we will!” the blonde chips with a delighted smile before plucking the bill from my hand and pulling her friend away. “Thanks, Mister! You made our day. Come find us at the bar later if you change your mind!”
Then, the two girls scamper off to the Diamond Lounge, giggling and tossing their hair. I let out a disbelieving snort. Fuck, what has the world come to? Don’t get me wrong because I like my ladies young, but there’s a limit to how far I’ll go. Too young is a no-go, and I wonder if I’ve underestimated Vegas already. I’ve heard anything can happen in this town, but I wasn’t expecting to have my limits tested so early.