Page 41 of All Bets Are Off

“I guess.” I watched the women as they began to chant and pump their signs up and down. “What’s that?” I was serious when I asked the question this time.

Tallulah finally looked, although she almost seemed bored at the prospect. “Oh, that’s Vegas’s next big challenge.”

I furrowed my brow. “I think I’m going to need more than that.”

“It’s the exotic dancers group. They’re trying to form a union.”

I was convinced I’d misheard her. “What?”

“Yeah.” She smirked. “The strippers want a union. They say they’re mistreated and they want fair pay and more safety measures implemented at the various clubs.”

“Ah.” I was intrigued despite myself. “They kind of deserve it.”

“They do,” she agreed. “You’re not going to get any of the casino owners to side with them, though, because while they tacitly allow the dancers into their establishments, they pretend they don’t so they can masquerade as a family friendly environment at the same time.”

“Right.” I was well aware of how the casino owners talked out one side of their mouths while doing the exact opposite of what they promised. “I think I might head over there and see what they’re doing.”

Tallulah snorted. “Just how bored are you?”

“You have no idea. I happen to agree with their cause, though.”

“Well, be careful. I agree with them, too. Unfortunately, you just know that some of the people who would be drawn to ‘the cause’ are only doing it because they want to see some naked boobies.”

She wasn’t wrong. “I’ll be fine.” I dropped a tip on the bar because I knew she wasn’t going to charge me for the daiquiri. “I’ll text you later, and we’ll make plans for your next day off.”

“Absolutely.”

It wasn’t dark when I crossed the road, but it was starting to get gray out. Night seemed to fall fast in the desert for some reason, so I made a mental note to be more aware of my surroundings as I edged closer to the group. I wanted to hear what they were saying.

“Can I help you?” a female voice asked at my left.

I turned quickly to see if she was talking to me and found one of the most beautiful women I’d ever seen in real life—seriously, how was she real?—looking me up and down.

“Um…” Suddenly, I lost all traction in my mind. “What?” I asked dumbly, momentarily mesmerized by her cleavage. When I finally dragged my eyes up to her face, I found a smirk waiting for me. “Did you say something?” I asked like a complete and total idiot.

“I was curious what you’re doing here,” she replied. “I’m Halley, by the way. Halley Comet.”

I stilled before taking her hand. “There’s no way that’s your real name.” I shot her a stern look.

“My name is Halley with two Ls. My last name isn’t Comet. You’ll have to buy me a drink if you want my real name.”

I laughed, as I’m sure she intended. “Olivia Carter.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Olivia.” She gripped my hand tightly. “Are you just here to look?” She jiggled her breasts for emphasis.

I laughed again. “Actually, I was over at the daiquiri bar with a friend. She works there. I saw all of this and was wondering what it was about.”

“You’re a local?” She perked up.

I nodded.

“Then you’re just the sort of person we want here. We’re trying to unionize.”

“I thought you guys were already unionized,” I admitted.

“No. Individual clubs have allowed their workers to unionize. They’re few and far between, though. We want to go bigger.”

“What are you looking for?” My orderly mind wanted details.

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