Page 71 of Russian Roulette
“Really? That’s weird. Nothing happened except he tried to bully me and almost let me get eaten by coyotes.” She pulls her hand away from mine and unzips a pocket of her backpack to drop her phone back in. I suspect she’s using it as a diversion to change the subject.
Leaning back against the leather seat, I watch her carefully. Figuring her out is a challenge that I’m enjoying immensely. I can’t remember ever being with a woman who intrigued me this much. My mind is constantly thinking about her, even when she’s with one of the other guys.
What is she up to?
The question is driving me nuts because I can’t figure it out. And why is Giovanni turning the town upside down, searching for her?
Jade is crazy smart. More intelligent than I can comprehend, since our minds don’t operate in the same way. A hacker would have considerable value in Vegas. Especially one who can slip under the radar at the casinos. He could use her to spy on his competitors or to hack into government officials for blackmail.
I study her closely, the dark-framed glasses, the college student backpack, worn jeans, sweatshirt and sneakers. She could easily move around Vegas undetected. There’s nothing about her that would stick out in a crowd. When I first spotted her, she was wearing a baseball cap pulled low to hide her face.
“How did you become friends with Kit?” she asks, smoothly changing the subject away from Vulcan. She never wants to discuss him, which makes me more suspicious that something happened between them.
“We met a few years ago,” I tell her. “I wanted to add white doves to my show because what’s a famous illusionist without doves? After asking around town, everyone said to talk to Kit, the animal guy. He invited me out to his ranch, and we hit it off right away. Eventually, he allowed me to adopt Elsa from him.”
“Who is Elsa?”
“The star of my show. She’s actually a white King Pigeon, not a dove, though most people can’t tell the difference. She was released for a wedding and had no idea how to find her way back home. Someone found her starving on their back deck and brought her to Kit to save.”
“Aww…the poor baby,” she says. “That’s terrible! I’m glad someone rescued her. Kit is protective of his animals. I’m surprised he handed one over to you so easily.”
“Believe me, it wasn’t easy, and he took some convincing,” I say. “Kit has taught me a lot. Everything I learned about animal training came from him. Elsa played a big part in the adoption process. She fell head over heels madly in love with me. Once Kit saw that, he agreed to let her come live with me and be a part of my show.”
“Elsa has a crush on you?”
“More than a crush. She’s chosen me as her mate. Kit told me she’s hormonal, and it might be time to find her a proper boyfriend. Apparently, they’re picky when it comes to their husband. She has to choose him herself, so I can’t bring any old man bird home for her.”
“Is there a dove matchmaking service in Vegas?” she asks. “I wouldn’t be surprised since there’s everything else here. Or a dove wedding chapel?”
“Unfortunately, no.” I chuckle at the idea. “She’s stuck with me until I can find her a husband she approves of.”
“And how would you possibly do that?”
“Kit suggested that I set her up on blind dates with other birds.”
Jade bursts out laughing. “You mean there’s not a website where you can swipe left or right with photos of eligible bachelor birds?”
“Don’t laugh,” I tell her. “This is serious business. Elsa needs a man bird to make nests and babies with. Kit told me to bring her out to the ranch for a meetup. If Elsa meets a male bird she finds attractive, we’ll set up another playdate for them. Kit warned me the process might take a while. The male bird needs to be on top of his wooing game to win her over.”
Jade slowly shakes her head at me. “You guys are too much. Just when I think I might have you all figured out, you tell me something that gives me a whole different perspective.”
“What?” I ask, drawing back. “Are we too weird for you?”
“Not at all. Maybe I appreciate weird if it doesn’t include snakes.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“We’re here, folks,” Leroy calls out loudly. He swerves off the highway and turns into the lot for a small private airport. Rather than parking the limo in one of the designated spots, he drives right onto the tarmac.
“Time for your surprise,” I tell Jade when Leroy stops the limo and comes around to open the door for us. Taking her hand in mine, I help her out. When she notices the bright red helicopter, she turns to me, raising her eyebrows in question.
My regular helicopter pilot, Trixie, hurries across the tarmac to greet us. She’s a tall brunette, wearing her usual outfit of cowboy boots, jeans, and a red-checked flannel shirt. For the past year, she’s flown me around Vegas to personal appearances. She’s always dependable and right on time.
“How’s it going, Trixie?” I ask, reaching over to shake her hand. “I appreciate you agreeing to take us out on short notice.” I’d called her earlier to ask if she could squeeze us in for a helicopter tour of Vegas and Red Rock Canyon.
“It’s been busy,” she answers. “Swamped as usual with work. I’m taking every shift the boss offers me. If I keep working at this pace and with any luck, I’ll have enough money saved up by the summer to make a down payment on my own chopper.”
“You’re branching out on your own? Here in Vegas or back in your hometown in Alaska?” While she’s a competent helicopter pilot, I’m a little surprised that she’s willing to go out on her own in this town.
