Page 3 of Rayna's Daddy

What the heck just happened?

Natalie pulled me into the elevator and pushed the PH button.

“Penthouse?” I blinked. Wow!

“Yeah, wow.”

Shoot. Did I say that out loud? I tried to sound sophisticated. Not like the little small-town girl who was impressed by EVERYTHING. My dorm room at school had a view of New York City. I’d seen things. Although I’d never actually been to New York by myself. All those horror stories about young girls in the big city. My mama used to say it was better to be safe, than sorry.

She never warned me about Vegas, though.

“Listen. Daddy wants to meet you.” Natalie pressed the button again.

She was friendly when we met at school. We literally ran into each other in the quad and struck up a friendship over our mutual desire to get the heck out of New Jersey as soon as possible. We had lunch together a few times and week and spent a lot of time studying in the library. She had the best stories and when she found out I had lost my summer job; she offered to help. Her strong Italian accent made it hard to understand her, but she had seen the world and wasn’t afraid of anything. I wanted to be more like her.

“We’ll pop into his office and say hello and then get ready for the party.” She shifted on her heels and crossed her arms over her chest. She’s yet to look at me. I must look a fright after traveling all day.

“Party?” I frowned.

“Yeah, my dad’s throwing a party tonight for some of his friends and business associates.” Her sparkling brown eyes flit around the small space. “It will be fun. Lots of rich, good-looking men.”

Men.

My stomach churned.

“I think I’ll just stay in your room tonight, if that’s okay. Get ready for work tomorrow.” I looked down. “Besides. I don’t have anything to wear.”

“I got you covered.” Natalie flipped her thick brown hair over her shoulder and peaked at her reflection in the elevator door. “Hair and makeup, too.”

“I’m not sure I’m ready for a Vegas party.” I flicked my thumb with my index finger. It was a nervous habit. I shoved my hand in my pocket.

“Hey Rayna, don’t worry.” She placed a hand on my shoulder and steady me with her sincere gaze. “It’s going to be so much fun. I’ll be by your side the whole time.”

She was so beautiful, confident, and sure of herself. Everything I most decidedly was not. She smiled and gave me a reassuring squeeze. As the elevator doors open, she grabbed my suitcase by the handle, and my hand with the other and drug me towards the entrance.

I had seen penthouses on television. They were elegant and spacious, with spectacular views. This penthouse didn’t deliver, according to my expectations. It was sparsely furnished, and what furniture I saw, looked old and worn. People in all black hotel uniforms ran back-and-forth, carting stuff in big rolling bins. Bar height tables, and stools with bottles, and glasses, covered each corner of the room. One of the staff members barked orders at two others decorating a large table with a cheap gold décor, of candlesticks and platters. Billowy drapery adorned the walls and swirly decals affixed to the floor to ceiling windows.

“Pretty great, right?” Natalie dragged me through the room. She didn’t speak to anyone. And, they didn’t seem to recognize her. I got a warmer welcome than this from my grandmother's mailman when I came home every week from school. Natalie, from what I could tell, hadn’t been home in a year. She mentioned she and her father were close, but he never came to visit her at school.

We walked down a long hall. I skidded to a stop halfway.

“Oh, no.” I turned. “I forgot my suitcase at the elevator.”

Natalie grabbed my arm.

“Don’t worry about it.” She pulled me further down the hall. “Someone will bring it to my room.”

I gripped the chain of my cross-body purse and made sure I had my phone. I pulled at the hem of my shirt again. It was too short. I looked like a child. It may be okay on campus, but in this setting, I didn’t fit.

Natalie wore a burgundy shirt dress and strappy heeled sandals. She dressed like a grownup. I dressed like I was getting ready for a play date.

I wouldn’t mind a play date with the hot guy in the lobby. I still felt his fingers on the back of my leg. His presence gave me an unusual vibe—but not in a bad way. It was like he knew something about me. His gaze pierced through me, sending a tight squeeze through my chest.

I exhaled.

Natalie stopped at the last door on the right, adjusted the neckline of her dress, then opened the door and shuffled in. “Daddy.”

I stopped in the doorway. The office was the width of the apartment. A huge rug sat in front of a massive dark wood desk with ornate carvings. It looked like the president’s desk and didn’t fit at all with the modern chairs. Twenty or so men lined the perimeter of the room. Some stood in groups of two or three, while others milled about by themselves, drinks in hand. Every eye in the room landed on me.

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