Page 23 of Vegas Jackpot

“He didn’t mean to keep the truth from you.” She addresses the subject we’ve been avoiding.

“I shouldn’t have run without letting him explain.” I give her the truth.

And just like that, we stop talking about Grayson and me. We talk about the dogs and finish our meal. When she drops me off at my house, I feel better about getting to know her. Once I figure everything out, I will include her in her niece or nephew’s life.

* * *

Grayson

I’msick and tired of this bullshit. The hacker is still evading us. Alek has set this as his personal project, and I’m sure he’ll kill the person once he finds them. He hates to be thwarted, and that’s what this hacker has done. They haven’t done any damage, just searched and played around in the system a bit. I’m more interested in hiring them to be my new computer person.

My office door opens and in walks mybabushka. She takes in the rumpled sofa, blanket, and me.

“That’s enough, Grayson Aldridge. You’re going home tonight and getting a good night’s sleep. I’m not going to lose you too.”

“Babushka, I have too much to get ready so I can finally go after my wife.”

My cell phone rings, and my gut clenches when I look at the display.

“Ley, what’s up?”Babushkamoves toward me.

“Put it on speaker. I want to hear mymalyshka’svoice.

“Don’t put me on speaker. Just listen, and fucking listen good. You’re done giving her time. You’re getting on that fucking private plane you own and getting your ass here. Now.”

I stand from my desk so fast my chair moves back.

“Is she okay? What happened?”

“She is fine, but I suspect there is something going on. She ended up in the ER with dehydration, but she looked like there was a lot more going on. She had tears in her eyes. And the doctor, who is a friend of mine, kinda gave me some hints that it was more than dehydration.”

“She was in the hospital, and you didn’t tell me.”

“Nope, I didn’t. I like her. Now get your ass here. I also saw Jimmy Duncan when she and I were at dinner.”

“What the fuck? I’m on my way.”

“Put me on speaker now, Gray.” I hit the button. “Hello, sweetBabushka. I love you, but I needed to talk to Gray alone. Also, you need to apologize to his wife. She’s a sweetheart and doesn’t have a mean or deceptive bone in her body. The one being deceptive in their relationship was your precious Gray. Now get your ass here, Gray.”

“I’ll call to get the jet ready as soon as we get off the phone. Keep an eye on her, please.”

“Both.” She hangs up, and I look atBabushka.

“I’m sorry. Can I come with you to apologize?”

“No. I think the culprit of all this shit is after my woman, and I don’t want him to get his sights on you.”

She grabs my arm as I go to move past her. “Who?”

“Jimmy Duncan,” I grit the man’s name out.

He wanted this property before I got it. I paid the higher price and wined and dined the owner before he could get in his bid. I won it fair and square, but he is pissed about it. Since then, he’s tried to sabotage me at every stage. He also has lost to me several times through the years in poker.

I step out of my office. “Alek, get the jet ready. I’m heading to Eastport. Jimmy has shown his face around my wife.” He nods and gets on the phone. I turn around to hear mybabushkaon her cellular.

“Andrei, you need to help your brother. Jimmy is after his wife.” She pauses, and I hear his raised voice. “Well, I assumed he told you he got married.” Another pause. “She’s a tattoo artist he met several weeks ago.” I move away, not wanting to eavesdrop on their conversation that way I can have plausible deniability if he does do something.

I’m in the suite where I’ve been staying, taking a quick shower when I hear my phone going off. I ignore it and finish my shower. When I get done, Alek walks in and ends up distracting me. I don’t check my phone until I’m on the plane in the air with some of my brother’s men.

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