Dirty Deals by Nicole James Page 0,64
it. “How much?”
When she tells me the price I exhale. Even with the twenty grand I made off the custom job I just delivered to the owner of Club Apex, I know that amount will be a stretch for me. Especially with the cleanup and rebuild of the shop that’s going to take a huge chunk of change.
Still, my baby deserves a decent ring. This hotel is probably not the best place to find a deal. I pass it to the sales woman. “It’s nice. Let me think on it.”
“Of course, sir. We’re open until seven tonight.”
“Thanks.” I wander outside the hotel entrance and pause to light up a cigarette. Exhaling a stream of smoke toward the sky, I watch the valets loading and unloading guests.
I think about the meeting Ashlynn had with the police detectives. She was brave as hell, not holding anything back. They grilled her for hours until finally the club’s attorney had enough and ended it. When that ordeal was over, she walked out and found two members of Thomas’s family waiting. She didn’t have to meet with them, but she did. One was the widow, an elderly woman, the other their daughter. It was heartbreaking to watch, even for a guy like me. The widow broke down in sobs when Ashlynn quietly sat next to her in a chair, took her hands, and told her what had happened to her husband. Hopefully, with the information Ashlynn gave the detectives, they’re able to recover his body and give him a decent burial. The DK’s attorney told me they were tracking down the rental car right now.
As for what happened to the Rialto Brothers, that piece of information she kept quiet about, saying they had disappeared after tracking her to Georgia and attempting to break in to her rental house. Said she’d fled and was able to get away.
They questioned why she hadn’t reported it, but so far had been satisfied with the fact she’d been terrified. They tried to get her to stay in Las Vegas for further questioning, but the club’s attorney had fought them on that one, assuring them that as Miss Fox had willingly come forward and told her story, she’d be happy to return at a later date if the Rialto Brothers were brought into custody. Until then, she would remain in hiding.
As we left the headquarters, I could tell Ashlynn had a weight lifted off her shoulders and could finally put it to rest. The family had been grateful to her as well.
I take another long drag off my cigarette, enjoying the cooler evening air outside the Del Sol. My gaze moves to the right, and I notice Devon parked a distance down, wiping a cloth over a shiny black limo. I stroll over. “Hey, man.”
He turns. “Good evening, sir.” His eyes slide past me. “You and Ashlynn need a car to go somewhere?”
I shake my head. “Not tonight. Just came out to have a smoke. We might need a ride tomorrow, though. You available?”
“Of course, sir. Just let me know what time. Are you enjoying your stay, sir?”
“Devon, enough with the sir shit; call me Rusty. And yeah, it’s a gorgeous suite they gave us.”
He nods. “It’s a nice hotel. One of the best on the strip.”
I take another drag off my cigarette. “You wouldn’t happen to know a place I can buy a diamond ring, do you? One more reasonable than that joint in there.” I hike my thumb over my shoulder.
He gives me a big grin. “You proposing to Miss Ashlynn?”
I just give him a wink.
He jerks his chin at the limo. “Climb in. I know a place that’ll give you a good deal.”
An hour later I’m back with a ring bigger than the last one and at less than half the price. I guess you could say Devon hooked me up.
I slide him a hundred dollar bill for his trouble and make arrangements for the car tomorrow.
When I get back to the suite, I find Ashlynn showered and dressed for dinner. I’d just as soon order room service, but I know she’s excited to show me the hotel, and as gorgeous as she looks tonight, I kind of want to show her off.
She’s sitting on the bed, slipping on those sexy heels that match the gold dress she wore the other night. I know what she has on underneath, and no matter how great dinner is, it’s going to be torture waiting to get her back up