Page 73 of Russian Roulette
“Hang on!” I tell her when I lift the helicopter off the ground. Once we’re airborne, I dip the helicopter in a slow turn before heading off in the other direction.
“Still doing okay back there?” I ask.
She’s sitting directly behind me, so I can’t see her face. If I’d told her to sit up front with me, she would’ve immediately grown suspicious that something was up. On the way back, I’ll make sure she rides beside me.
“I’m fine, but shouldn’t we go back and pick up Seven? He looked pissed when we took off without him. You left him standing there as a joke, right? We’re going back to get him?”
“Hell no, we’re not going back,” I reply with a chuckle. “You’re all mine now. He can deal with it, just like I’ve been doing the past couple of days. Don’t worry about Seven. He’s a big boy. He can handle a little competition.”
“Well, he’s your friend,” she replies. “If he’s mad, you’ll have to deal with him, not me.”
“That’s right, so don’t worry your sweet ass over it,” I say. “Soon we’ll be coming up on the Vegas strip. Take a quick peek because we’re not hanging around long. This isn’t a scenic tour and I’m sure as hell not a tour guide. We’ll pass by the Stratosphere Tower too. The tourists at the top of the tower might take photos of us, so feel free to flash your magnificent tits at them if you’re feeling frisky. And I certainly hope you are.”
“It’s probably too late to ask.” She leans slightly forward toward my shoulder. “Do you have a pilot’s license to fly this helicopter?”
I laugh at her question.If she only knew. “Sweetheart, I’m licensed to operate any fucking thing with an engine. If you enjoy the trip, I’ll bring you out on a night flight sometime.”
“I’d love it more if you bring me back from this trip alive. What are those buildings below us?”
“That’s obviously the pyramid of the Luxor and Treasure Island.” To humor her, I keep a running commentary going when my mind is already thinking of our day ahead. Minutes later, we’re leaving the Vegas skyline behind and flying straight out into the desert. In no time, we’re flying over colorful, fiery red peaks and deep valleys.
“Where are we now?” she asks. “The scenery is breathtaking. I always thought only desert surrounded Vegas.”
“This is Red Rock Canyon. It’s part of the Mojave Desert. Six hundred million years ago, this area was an ocean basin. Almost impossible to believe now. Or that dinosaurs roamed here.”
“Wow, it’s stunning,” she says. “The rocks appear to be layered with different colors of sand. It would be cool to hike there one day and experience it up close.”
“How about today?” I offer.
“Are you serious? We can go down there in the helicopter? How?”
“Sure!” I say. “I do it all the time. We’re two minutes away from a clear landing spot. Before we land, I’ll try to get us closer for a better view.” I bring the helicopter lower until we’re passing directly above the colorful peaks. Then even lower until we’re flying through a narrow crevice with the rock formations on both sides of the helicopter.
“We’re so close I can almost reach out and touch the rocks,” she says. “I’ve never realized how beautiful the desert could be. I always thought the desert was dull colored rocks and sand.”
“Now you understand why I love the desert,” I say. “Up ahead on the right is a wide, flat space on the cliff. We’ll be landing there. It’s windy, so the landing will be bumpy. Hold on tight.”
“We’re landing on a cliff?” she says. “That’s insane! Are you sure it’s safe?”
I don’t answer, and two minutes later put the helicopter down smoothly on top of the rocky cliff. I cut the engine and remove my headset. “Did you enjoy the flight?” After unbuckling my belt, I turn around in my seat to help her unfasten hers.
“Very much so,” she replies. “You’re lucky to fly up here any time you want.”
“Glad you enjoyed it because the fun part is over,” I warn. “We’re here to work, not to eat a fancy picnic or whatever it was Seven had in mind for your special day. Seven’s living in fantasy land if he believes he can escort you all around Vegas without Giovanni noticing. The other guys think I’m the one putting you in danger when Seven is taking the most risk with your safety. Let’s go, time is wasting.”
“What do you mean by work?” she asks with a questioning frown. “What are we doing here?”
“You’ll find out soon enough.” I climb out of the helicopter and open the door for Jade to step out. Reaching back inside, I pull out a picnic basket and the bottle of chilled champagne from the ice bucket. “I have to admit, I’m impressed by Seven’s thoughtfulness,” I joke. “He arranged for a picnic basket to be delivered ahead of time to the helicopter, complete with alcohol. The man thinks of everything, and I would hate for it all to go to waste. We’re taking it with us.”
“Were you supposed to come along on this trip?” Jade asks, gazing at me with suspicion. She takes my hand and climbs out of the helicopter. “Did you pull a fast one over on Seven? Be honest. Did he know you were coming with us?”
“No,” I reply. “But he does now. Don’t worry, I’ll get you back safe and sound.Eventually.You’re a helluva lot safer out here than you are with him in Vegas. Maybe we should camp out here until we figure out the best way to keep you safe. It’s sure as hell not riding around in fancy limos and making reservations at sushi restaurants.”
“What doeseventuallymean?” Jade asks. “How long are you keeping me out here on top of a cliff?”
“You ask too many questions. Why does it matter how long we’re here? Do you have big plans for later that you’ll miss? You should loosen up and go with the flow.” I hand her the chilled champagne bottle. “Carry this and I’ll take the picnic basket.”
“You still haven’t answered my question. Why did you bring me here?” She’s stubbornly refusing to move from where she’s standing. “Tell me right now. Are you playing games with Seven? Because I don’t enjoy being part of the mind games you play with each other. I’m not a pawn or a playing piece. I won’t be owned by anyone.”
