Page 18 of Vegas Baby

The tattoo artist approached Anaya, a bowl of an earthy smelling concoction in her gloved hands. “Is that the Mehndi?” Raina asked, wrinkling her nose at the pungent odor of the henna plant.

“Yes, I’ll be getting them on my hands and feet. My mother designed the tattoo. Sadly, she won’t be getting one since she’s allergic to the henna.” Anaya lifted her phone and showed Raina a picture of an intricately designed lotus flower, the vines wrapping around her wrist and trailing up her fingers.

“She’s a talented artist. Do I see Veer’s name woven into the design?” she asked, narrowing her eyes at the picture to see it better.

“Yes, you have a good eye. It’s believed if my new husband can find his name in the tattoo, he’ll be the dominant one in our marriage.”

From Raina’s experiences with the couple, Veer could use all the help he could get. Anaya ruled the roost. Veer might be tough on the football field, but he was butter in her hands.

Would Raina ever find a man who cared for her the same way? She was at a wedding with her husband. The irony wasn’t lost to her. “I see it’s in the shape of a football. It’s a shame you couldn’t incorporate the Pioneers logo into it. It’ll be good luck for the upcoming season. Howler insists on obtaining the best possible offer for Veer. We were discussing how much of an asset Veer will be for the Pioneers, when he signs with my team. Of course, Howler is playing hardball. Something I love and admire about him, how dedicated he is to his talent. Veer will be in good hands.”

Mrs. Patel raised one overly plucked brow and leaned over the arm of her chair toward Anaya. “Your dedication to your new husband is touching. It’s refreshing to see two people act so affectionate. You are a lucky woman.”

Raina hoped Mrs. Patel would read the heat flushing her cheeks as shyness, not guilt for lying, no matter her reasons. “My husband is the best. To quote my favorite author, “there’s no better husband than a reformed rake.””

Mrs. Patel burst out laughing, the action making her appear younger and more relaxed. “When we first marry, we’re all of the same mindset. While Veer likes to play his football, there comes a time in every young man’s life when he has to grow up. He was passed over during the draft, which should tell you something.”

Fudge, Raina should have seen this coming. Keeping the smile pasted on her lips, she leaned forward. “Yes, it’s true he was passed over, but that I’m here now to sign him, should tell you something about his talent.”

“My husband has a position for Veer in his company, a good position that will allow you live a comfortable life.”

Anaya turned pleading eyes to her mother. “Veer wants to play football and he’ll be making a good living. He can work for Baba once he retires. Please, Mama, talk to Baba. It means the world to Veer.”

“I know it does but we worry. What kind of life will it be for you, Anaya?” Mrs. Patel asked, the amusement gone from her eyes. Genuine affection softened her stern features.

Raina envied their closeness. Brandi had never been the mothering type and had left Raina alone to fend for herself. The Patels’ point of view was frustrating but it came out of love for their daughter. Except Raina wasn’t there to envy mother and daughter. She was there to win a contract with Veer and this woman was key to helping her achieve that goal. “The Pioneers have programs to help spouses of the players become acclimated to their new life as well, as services for the athletes. We take their health, both mental and physical, seriously.”

“A life with a happy husband, and when Veer’s happy, I’m happy. You want me to be happy, don’t you?” Anaya said.

“I do. I love you but he’s a young man in a foreign country and he needs someone to help him navigate his way through this new world.”

“And Xavier is the person to help him settle into his new profession. I’ve hired a lot of his players and they’re all happy with his representation. Please don’t let the industry gossip frighten you away from his agency. He’s really good at what he does.” No matter her differences with Howler, she believed he was the right one to represent Veer.

Anaya reached out and squeezed Raina’s hand. “See, he’ll have somebody to watch out for his best interests, no matter if he signs with the Pioneers or the Scorpions.”

“He has an offer from the Scorpions?” Raina clicked the band of her wedding ring on the side of the flute glass in her left hand, trying to keep her temper in check.

“Yes, isn’t that crazy? Mr. Anderson is friends with my uncle and Veer invited him to the wedding, you know, to be fair.” Anaya said.

“Yes, we have to be fair.” Son of a bitch. Raina had married Howler for an exclusive on Veer. They had a verbal agreement, so why meet with the Vegas team and invite the team’s owner unless Howler meant to use her to convince Patel to buy into their sham marriage then undercut her agreement with Veer. He’d tried to blow her off in the hotel room. Was this his plan all along? Hurtful but not surprising. Raina worked in a brutal industry, and she’d learned to fight back through cunning and persuasion. Granted, it was exhausting at times but the rewards outweighed the headache.

She’d come too far to back down now.

Chapter Eight

“Hey, Sam.” Howler cradled the phone next to his ear and stepped outside the resort. Although it was dusk, the desert heat was pervasive. Raina had texted him that she was at the pool.

Wet and in a bathing suit. Would it be a bikini or a one piece? He shook his head, trying to push away the tantalizing visual.

“How did the Vegas trip go?” Sam asked.

“I’m still in negotiations.” The resort had three pools and the closest one seemed the most populated. He stopped walking and settled his hands on his hips, scanning the water for her. After hours spent talking to men he barely knew, he’d used her text as an excuse to leave. He’d been hoping to speak to Patel, one on one, but the man was noticeably absent from the tedious event. Lucky bastard.

“Is somebody sitting here?” a woman asked, pointing to the chair next to where he stood. She flashed a promising smile and he offered a polite one in return. While she was pretty and had a nice body, this weekend wasn’t about flirting with another woman, but convincing Patel of his dedication to Raina. For Veer’s sake. Yeah.

“No, go ahead.” Dropping his hands, he followed the trail to the second, more remote pool. He had to stay focused on the end goal, to sign Veer.

“Are you in Vegas with some woman?”

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