Page 152 of Hard Luck (Blackstone House)

Brax offered a hand, and Cole shook it.

“Cole Gallagher.”

“And I’m Indi.”

The vacation lasted three days. Barbie and Dice were needed for jobs, but I had a reprieve until my hospital checkup, which was scheduled for next week because Doc Martinsson was in Hawaii. Our first night back in Vegas found Cole and me in a private dining room at the Black Diamond—not quite what I’d planned to be doing on my return to the country, but Brax and Indi were flying to Europe tomorrow morning for a belated honeymoon. Which meant we could have this meeting now or much later, and patience wasn’t my strongest suit. So I’d booked a dining room, put on a dress and heels, and steeled myself for an evening with my sort-of-ex. Indi was sweet, though. Maybe Brax hadn’t been a total idiot to marry her.

A waiter fussed around pouring glasses of wine and water while Cole fidgeted, and I put my hand on his thigh to stop it from bouncing. Brax wasn’t fidgeting. Brax wassmooth. He’d always been smooth, sometimes to the point of slippery—it was how he’d made so much money.

“I take it this isn’t a social occasion,” he said, eyes on me.

“It isn’tnota social occasion. We have wine and food.”

“It’s about the Galaxy.”

This was Brax. I’d have been more surprised if hehadn’tdone his homework.

“Of course it’s about the Galaxy.”

“What are you looking for?”

“Honestly? I’m not sure yet. But as of right now, the resort is in the toilet, and the bank is getting ready to flush. Cole inherited the place from his uncle, but his uncle wasn’t much of a businessman, it seems. Didn’t move with the times. The Galaxy has been losing money for years. It’s old, it’s tired, and it desperately needs a refurb, but there’s no money in the kitty.”

Brax sighed. “How much do you need?”

He owed me. He knew he owed me. Not only had I saved his girlfriend from a particularly nasty fate, but I’d also stopped his ex-wife from taking most of his money.

“I’m not asking for a gift. I’m asking for a loan and your excellent business acumen.”

“Flattery will get you everywhere, my darling.”

“Yes, I know. Flattery and firearms—a winning combination.”

Brax swirled wine in his glass before tasting it, then rested his elbows on the table and turned to Cole. “Tell me about the Galaxy.”

Through the appetiser and the entrée, Cole laid out all he’d learned about the failing resort. The money troubles, the low room-occupancy rates, the mystery loan, the fabric of the building, the loyalty of the staff.

When he was done, Brax put down his fork. “Do you want me to be candid?”

“Yes, sir.”

I rolled my eyes. “Don’t call him ‘sir.’ It’ll go to his head.” And to Brax, “Tell it like it is.”

Brax nodded once. “So, the location. It’s the one thing we can’t change. It’s on the Strip, but it’s hardly the Bellagio. The quieter position reduces footfall, but works well for guests who aren’t fond of crowds. I actually like the building. I dropped by for lunch with Indi.” He flashed a smile. “We might have booked a room for a few hours. It was clean, but the thermostat didn’t work properly.”

“Sorry about that.”

“The Galaxy is a turnaround project, and I can turn it around.”

“You can?” Cole’s leg began bouncing again. He’d never make a poker player. “What’s the catch?”

“I wouldn’t call it a catch, but we’re talking more than a simple refurb here. You’re catering to the wrong market, trying to be all things to all people. Families with kids, women holding bachelorette parties, businessmen attending conferences. The place is too small for that. You need to focus on one market, and do it well.”

“Which market?”

“Adults. Wealthy adults. Use the intimate size of the building as a strength and turn it into a luxurious boutique hotel.” I remembered that cocky little smirk on Brax’s face all too well. “Make it a little bit dirty.”

“Dirty?” Cole didn’t sound certain. “That’s a big change.”

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