“It’s also for your own safety, Lilly,” I tell her seriously. “You’re a stranger here. And too trusting of people. It’s risky.”
“I’m careful!”
“Were you being careful when you agreed to spend a week with a man you barely know?” It’s a low blow but I’m annoyed that she doesn’t understand the risks. But then, I remind myself…she couldn’t know, she doesn’t understand because she doesn’t know about guys like Tony and Bobby.
“It wasn’t my best decision,” she says icily. “I’ll admit that.” She’s trying to sound tough but she looks down and a second later, I see a tear drop onto the dark granite countertop. She smudges it away quickly before turning her back to me under the pretense of rummaging through the fridge.
“You want something?” She asks. “A coke?”
“Maybe if you add some rum to it.”
“I assume you have a well-stocked liquor cabinet in here somewhere.”
“I’ll get it.” I go over to the liquor cabinet in the living room area. “Do you want anything?”
“I’ll have one, too,” she says slowly after a pause. Her shoulders are slumped and there’s still some wetness around her eyes. I go get the bottle of rum. It’s a fifteen-year old beauty from Mauritius. I inhale the scent of its warm, spicy aroma as I open it.
“Your day okay otherwise?” I pour out a shot into each tumbler, click open the can of coke she’s put on the countertop, and add it.
“It was fine.” She takes the glass I hand her. “Cheers.” We clink.
“Look, I hope you’re finding a way to enjoy yourself here,” I pause and take a sip. “I expect you to honor your commitments. But I certainly don’t expect you to be miserable here.”
“I know.” She looks down again, staring into her glass, and rubs her eyes briefly.
“That’s why I’m giving you the run of the place,” I hurry on. “I thought you might have some fun. Fortuna has plenty to offer in terms of entertainment.”
“It does.” She looks up quickly. “And I’m grateful that you’ve arranged that for me. It’s just kinda lonely hanging around all by myself,” she looks embarrassed at the admission. “Aside from the occasional appearance of Ben or Mike,” she adds. She’s joking, trying to make her tone light, but the tiny smile she gives me is forced. So…she’s lonely.
“Well, you could hit the casino floor. You haven’t done any gambling on the tables, have you? There’s always plenty of action there. Lots of people around.” I dig into my pants pockets and pull out a couple of the 5k chips I always carry on me. “Here. I’ll fund the fun.” I press the chips into her small hand but she simply sets them down softly on the counter.
“Thanks but I was hoping for a more substantial human interaction than just gambling alongside some strangers,” she says. “And I find all that stuff kind of boring, to be honest.”
Again, I can’t help but laugh. “You realize you just told a man who owns a couple of casinos that you find his entire business boring?”
“I just don’t really get gambling. I mean, I don’t know my way around all the different games and the rules.”
I grin. “So you came to Vegas for your 25th birthday even though you didn’t have any clue about gambling?”
“Yeah. I mean, Deanna offered and I thought it would be fun…and I’d get to spend time with her.” I feel the tiniest pang of guilt at her last words as I realize that she’s given up quality time with her sister in order to abide by our deal.
“How often do you see your sister?” I ask carefully.
“A couple of times a year. She always comes back for Christmas at the least. And usually some other holiday, like Mom’s birthday or Fourth of July or something. It depends on her schedule. And her mood.” She doesn’t offer any more details and I don’t ask. From the little I’ve seen of Deanna, I can only assume she’s fairly volatile.
“Well, you can’t leave Vegas without learning a thing or two about gambling,” I tell her abruptly. “You’re living in a casino for fuck sakes.” I pull up one of the tall stools to the island-style bar that sets off the kitchen’s cooking area from the rest of the room. “Sit.” I start rummaging through the various drawers in the kitchen.
“What are you doing?” She peers at me curiously, looking tiny, perched atop the tall