Page 16 of Wonderland

“I can see that.” The older woman winks at me. “She got a name?”

“Elsa,” Bo tells her.

“Nice to meet you, Elsa. I’m Becs.” That is the name of the diner.

“Nice to meet you too.” I give her a smile.

“I’ll start by getting you a drink. What’ll it be?”

“Strawberry shake.” Bec laughs at my response.

“Innocent.” She shakes her head but is smiling. “Nikkie is here,” she adds before heading back behind the counter. I try to pull my hand from his, but he doesn’t let go. I have to admit that I really like it. It makes me feel safe.

“I need my hands to look at the menu.” He finally releases his hold on my hand—at least for now. I don’t think there is getting away from Bo unless he allows it. I’m not sure how to handle that. Hell, I’m not sure how to handle him. The man is a powerful force.

I grab the menu and scan over it. I peek up from it when I hear the sound of heels on the bare floor. A woman in a tight fifties-style waitress uniform walks toward us. She’s all done up to match the theme of the restaurant. The dress fits tight to her body with a few buttons popped at the top to give a view of her ample breasts.

Everything is a production in Vegas. I bet she makes a killing in tips. Her bright red lipstick is a stunning contrast to her blue eyes. Why is she working in a diner? I catch sight of her name tag. To no shock, it’s the Nikkie Becs had mentioned earlier.

She narrows her eyes on me. I pull my attention back to the menu or pretend to. Really, I watch Bo as she passes by, but he doesn’t glance her way. She enters the bathroom. Becs returns with my milkshake.

“You’re paying?”

“Gorgeous.”

“Just checking,” I say before I ramble off a ridiculous order. When you can’t make up your mind, why not get it all? Especially on someone else’s dime.

“Anything else?” Becs laughs.

“I’m sure she’ll want dessert.” Bo answers for me. She takes the menus with her. “If you think your antics bother me, you’re mistaken. Except the ones that are illegal.” I snort.

“That’s rich coming from you.”

“If you want to be a thief, then do it in my casino. No one was bothering you.”

“Except you.” I take a sip of my milkshake. He only smirks at my response. My antics do roll right off him.

“You’ll have to get used to it because I’m not going anywhere.”

“So, you’re just going to kidnap me?” I know it shouldn’t, but the thought excites me. Which I know is totally crazy, but this man is making me that way. He has me feeling and doing things that I never have.

“Call it what you want.” I tense when I hear the bathroom door open. The sound of the heels clicking again. How can she work in those all night? Mine kill me, and I get to sit down most of the time when I have them on.

“Bowen.” She comes to stand next to our booth. A pang of jealousy hits me out of nowhere at the sensual tone of her voice toward Bo.

“It’s Knight.”

“Really?” She lets out a small huff. Her bottom lip pops out. She glances back and forth between Bo and me. He’s still got his eyes on me. “We’ve known each other since we were kids.” Nikkie reaches out to touch his shoulder. He lifts his hand, making her pause for a second before dropping her hand. “You’re really going to be like this? Because of?—”

“Don’t finish your sentence.” He finally turns his head toward her. The cold indifference his expression gives has her stepping back. “Get back to work or you won’t have a job much longer.” Anger lights up her face, the sad pout falling away to show how she truly feels. I make a note to myself to keep her on my radar. Women like her don’t like being told no.

“Whatever.” She turns to stomp off.

“I don’t think I’m hungry anymore.” I push my milkshake away. I can’t help but wonder what the story is between them. Do they have a romantic past? I know I’m being ridiculous, but the thought of Bo with anyone else makes me feel sick.

“You’re eating.” He pushes it right back.

“You’re a jerk.”

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