Page 84 of Word to the Wise

Reed doesn’t seem to notice. She’s like everyone else here, in that she’s distracted by the fact that casinos are made to present themselves as a good time. A place to win big and have fun. When really, the house is always in control, and they’ve always got an eye out to make sure that happens.

We’re almost at the party when the two men in suits stop directly in our path.

Reed tenses, so I wrap my arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer.

“Your father wants to see you.”

I was hoping to catch him in a public setting, but I should have known better. That’s not how Rick Zane operates. He prefers to uphold appearances, and God forbid anyone think things have soured with his son. It’s bad enough that we haven’t been photographed together in over a year.

Tabloids love speculation.

If I can get in and out of Vegas without any of the local news sites paying attention, that will be the best-case scenario. Especially considering Reed insisted on coming tonight, and I’m not letting her leave my side.

Our getting caught on camera together might escalate things with Carter, and I don’t want to do that to her.

“Lead the way.” I wave my hand out mockingly.

They ignore it and guide us to an elevator that requires an access card. My father has his own floor at each of his hotels, and this one is no different. It’s where he goes to meet with business partners or to fuck women who aren’t my mother.

If I learned anything from my dad, it’s that money doesn’t make someone a decent human being.

I still remember him hiring a prostitute for my eighteenth birthday party. My mom grumbled, said happy birthday, and left. While Dad insisted I take him up on his present to get a taste of what it meant to be a real man.

My friends all had a blast with the girl, and so did my dad. But fuck if I was going to use someone like that.

I might have enjoyed Vegas for the nightlife and the constant distractions, but I’ve never paid to get laid.

Security ushers us into the elevator first, like we’re going to try to run. If I wanted to avoid my father, I wouldn’t have stepped foot in the casino in the first place. I’m not naïve. He has eyes on every corner of his establishments.

The elevator doors close, and the sound of slot machines fades as we rise to the hotel above us. Reed seals herself to my side. One hand rests on my stomach, and for a second, I let myself think that she’s mine.

That she’s with me for more than just rebound sex.

I let myself think I’m good enough to deserve her, looking at me like she does when she glances up and hands me her trust. There’s no way she’s comfortable here, but she knows I won’t let anything happen to her either.

When the elevator stops, the doors peel open, and security steps out, waiting for us.

They don’t need to lead the way. The door to my father’s room is at the end of the hall because that’s where it always is.

The corner suite.

One of the nicest rooms in the building, apart from the ones he uses to wring billionaires and celebrities of their money.

When we reach his room, the guard standing at the door opens it for us, letting Reed and me in, while the guards stay outside.

The suite is three times the size of my apartment in LA, and windows overlook the entire Strip.

“Mason.” My father stands up when we walk in.

His gray hair is more prominent than the last time I saw him, but his smile still bleeds with the same fiscally oversaturated confidence. He’s wearing one of his nicer suits, and his beard is perfectly trimmed.

My mom stands but stays quiet. She’s the perfect trophy wife, and it pisses me off every time I see them together.

Dad walks toward us, and I’m itching with how he skims Reed from head to toe.

“This must be the infamous Reed Jackson, Carter’s girl.” He holds his hand out to her.

“Not anymore.” She grinds her teeth, shaking his hand but just as quickly pulling away.

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