Page 137 of Menace in Vegas

Jake blinks. “What the hell does that even mean?”

Ford sighs. “It means the senior citizen behind the bar is about to set the place on fire.”

“Damn right I am!” Gram cackles. “Now, who wants shots?”

I grip Allie’s waist. “We’re leaving. Now.”

“No way in hell!” Gram shouts. “You’re just in time for themain event!”

Allie groans. “Please tell me you’re not running an underground gambling ring.”

Gram waves her off. “That was one time—and very profitable, mind you. But no, sweetheart, this is much better.”

I groan seconds before she grabs Allie and me, and drags us to the center of the dance floor where Jake, Cole, Ford, Harper, Daltyn, Tara, and Chloe are already gathered, looking like they’ve either accepted their fate or are deeply concerned.

“What is this?” I ask warily.

Harper grins. “Dance battle.”

I blink. “Again?”

Ford slaps me on the shoulder. “Gram’s orders. Couple’s dance-off. Winner gets the penthouse suite for the night.”

“That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.”

Gram smirks. “You scared, sugarplum?”

Allie tilts her head, eyes glittering with mischief as she taunts, “You scared, husband?”

I step closer. “If you challenge me, baby, I willwin.”

She smirks. “Then shut up and dance.”

The music hits, and it’s war.

Ford and Harper go full dramatic ballroom—spins, dips, and synchronized flair.

Cole and Chloe start off strong and immediately descend into chaos.

Jake and Tara are engaged in a straight-up twerking battle.

Daltyn momentarily disappears before he reappears holding hands with a blonde stranger.

But Allie and I?

We don’t choreograph.

Wecollide.

I spin her. She flips me off mid-twirl.

I dip her low and kiss her hard, right in front of everyone. She claws at my shirt like she wants to rip it off on the spot.

By the end, I’ve got her pinned to my chest, both of us panting, her fingers tangled in my collar.

Gram claps. “Well, damn.”

We win, obviously.

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