Page 189 of Menace in Vegas

Allie disappears into the bedroom to grab towels.

Gram flops dramatically onto the couch, peels off her sandals, and pulls out her erotica book like she’s about to lead story time at a swamp-themed strip club.

She flips to her glittery bookmark, eyes twinkling. “Do you like erotic poetry, Peyton?”

“Gram, no.”

Peyton looks horrified.

“No, she doesn’t,” Daltyn growls, like the words physically pain him.

And for a moment, I seriously consider walking back into the storm to escape her madness.

89

CONNOR

Gram sighs dramatically, throwing her arms out like a retired Vegas showgirl. “If the storm kills us, I just want my obituary to say I died the way I lived—braless and surrounded by scandal.”

I freeze mid-step.

Allie stops drying her hair.

Peyton looks like she’s questioning every decision that led her here.

Daltyn doesn’t even hesitate. He turns to Peyton and jerks his head toward the hallway. “You’re sleeping in the extra room. With me.”

Peyton blinks. “I—what?”

He lowers his voice, nodding toward Gram, who’s now digging through her bag like she’s searching for a sacrificial fruit tray.

“You really wanna stay out here alone with her?”

Peyton opens her mouth to argue.

Then Gram pulls out a tube of body glitter and starts humming what sounds like a swampy remix of “Let’s Get It On.”

Peyton mutters, “Point taken,” and collapses on the couch, eyeing Gram like she’s rigged with explosives.

I rub a hand down my face. “We need rules. Gram needs rules.”

“I don’t do rules,” she says, fluffing the couch pillows. “I do vibes and vengeance.”

* * *

The storm hits harderthan expected.

Thunder rattles the windows. Rain lashes the roof.

There’s a click… and the lights go out.

My arm is around Allie, who still hates storms. I’m comforting her, but freeze mid-conversation.

“That’s not good,” she whispers, shivering against me.

I fumble for my phone and turn on the flashlight. I head to the kitchen, digging out the emergency candles I stashed under the sink.

Within minutes, the bungalow is filled with soft, flickering light.

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