Page 114 of Vegas Daddies

Of course it’s Alice.

God, just looking at her ignites fire in my belly. Pre-attack nerves disappear as soon as I look at her face, because I can’t afford to waste precious energy when her life and the unborn baby’s is at stake.

Peter’s too.

The situation would be made hella easier if the guy died tonight, but no matter how much he hates me, my heart will always find a place for that bastard.

Even if he can’t accept my feelings toward his daughter.

“Levi,” says a voice. “Hi.”

I turn to the computer and see Vlad walk into the frame. He wears his hair slicked back, a shade darker than midnight. Hiseyes appear to be the same lifeless color when his face turns briefly to the computer screen. At a guess, he must be in his fifties. Either he visits the Botox lady every week, or spends most of the day indoors. I wager the latter. Those few weeks ago, the night after Alice imprinted our hearts—not one sign was given that he’d been outside that day. His skin had no color, like now, and he seems to sit for long periods of time without shuffling.

Impressive body, though.

But he probably doesn’t go to the gym.

His workouts are murder, no doubt.

He sits opposite Levi at the table, sweeping a hand under his blazer, careful to not crease it.

“I have some news for you,” Levi says.

Vlad doesn’t use words of encouragement to prompt.

He uses silence.

Levi sits up. “Alice. You know Alice? My ex-girlf?—”

“My three casino owners were not impressed when you stole her away. I promised them a handsome reward. The kind that money cannot buy.” Something tugs at Vlad’s unimpressed mouth. “It would have been the perfect way for her to pass the time while we waited for Peter to act on my request.”

“But the strip club worked out better.”

Vlad squints his eyes like he’s trying to psychoanalyze the boy. “Yes,” he says after a long, drawn out silence. “Profit margins increased that night. Get to the point.” He pushes back a cuff-linked sleeve to glance at the time on a very expensive-looking watch. “I do not have all day.”

“Me and Alice are getting back together.”

No response.

“She wants to work at Ursula and Hook.”

Vlad straightens up in his chair, the wood creaking.

This seems to motivate Levi to continue.

“I think it’s fair to say Alice has a talent for stripping. She also wants Bratva involvement.”

“How do I know that I can trust you?”

“Because I want Peter dead as much as you do. He hates my guts for what I did to Alice. Also, when the mayor finds out that his daughter is involved in the Bratva, do you think he’s still gonna wanna move forward with the campaign?”

Vlad’s pointed chin accentuates in the lamplight, looking more like a triangle than a human body part.

Levi shuffles in his chair. “You’re gaining a valuable asset with Alice.”

“What’s in it for Alice?”

“Money.”

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