Page 25 of Double or Nothing

I nod. “Give him to Callum.”

Regardless of what this could mean for my career, I just can’t do it. Close proximity to him can only end badly for me and my poor, messed-up heart.

“Kat, you’re the best host we have. Besides, he specifically requested you and…”

“He what?”

All I can focus on at the moment is what Jack said—Sutton specifically requested me? Why in the hell would he do that? Although he had tried to act as though I was the one who decided, he’s the one who walked away five years ago. He decided to give me an impossible choice. The moment that ultimatum slipped from between his gorgeous lips, our fate was sealed.

So, why now? Why, after all these years, would he want to see me? Is it some sort of joke? A way to get me to wait on him hand and foot to show me how far he’s come? To stick it to me? Make me feel as if I made the wrong choice?

The Sutton Cole I fell in love with would never do that, but the rock star? I don’t even know who he is.

Jack’s laughter pulls me from my thoughts. “Exactly. Not to mention this is a great opportunity for you.”

He’s right. It is, and if it was anyone else, I would jump at the chance, but it’s just not a risk that I’m willing to take.

“The thing is, Sutton and I, we have history, and…”

“A lot of women have history with Sutton.” Jack laughs again. “That’s no reason to turn him down as a client.”

“I disagree.”

While a lot of women may have a sexual history with him, I’m certain no one else shares the same history we do, not from what I’ve seen in the tabloids and on television over the years. The women he’s been with have been nothing more than flings. They haven’t shared or gone through the things we have.

My eyes plead with him, beg him to see how desperate I am, how much I can’t do this. He eyes me curiously, trying to figure out what in the hell has gotten into me and why I would throw it all away because some bad boy rock star broke my heart, but I already know he won’t give in.

“Since you’ll need to focus all your energy on Sutton, I want you to get with Callum and bring him up to speed on your client list.”

My client list? As in my top of the A-list clients? He wants me to bring Callum up to speed on them? Hell, no. I might be stuck with Sutton, but there is no way I’m giving Callum an opportunity to poach any of my clients.

“I can handle them… and Sutton,” I assure my boss.

There wouldn’t be anything to handle if Jack would only listen to me and give Sutton to Callum. That’s when it hits me. The exact way to approach this with Jack.

“Jack, rather than trying to bring Callum up to speed and risk him upsetting several of our guests, wouldn’t it just be easier to have Callum handle Sutton? I’m sure Mr. Cole would more than understand. In fact, I’m certain they would get along great.” Would they ever. The two of them could just chase pussy around the casino all day.

“I’m sorry, Kat, as I already told you, Sutton requested you and…”

“What the guest wants, the guest gets,” I repeat. And it’s my job to give it to them. Only this time, I won’t do it with a smile. Unless, of course, it screams fuck you.

“He arrives tomorrow, nine o’clock sharp. Be ready,” Jack tells me. “And make sure you share your client info with Callum, so he can stay on top of things.”

“Yes, boss.” I nod in agreement because hell if I have any other choice.

Once again, thanks to Sutton, I’m left with an impossible ultimatum. Suck it up and play casino host to Sutton or risk losing the one thing I can’t live without—my job.

Chapter 15

Kat

When I leave Jack’s office, I’m fuming. Not at him, but at Sutton for once again putting me in an impossible situation. What the hell does the man want from me? Was ripping my heart out five years ago not enough for him? Now, he wants to make me his servant?

I storm through the casino and straight into Callum’s office, angry and nowhere else to turn. Besides, Callum is one of the few people who know my history with the beloved rock star.

“What’s the matter, Kat?” Callum smiles when I walk into the office with my face twisted into a scowl. “Did Jack decide to give your clients to the better host?”

“Worse.” My heart is racing, my head is pounding, and I’m on the verge of tears. I haven’t cried since my mother’s funeral. After she was gone, there was nothing left to cry about. No man was worth tears. Sutton proved that. But this? A man, the man, affecting my job? Damn right, it has me emotional.

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