the best DJ’s in the state of Nevada to call that one.
Along with innovative lighting and a drinks menu that definitely stood out from the crowd, Epic also had the added benefit of an outdoor terrace and bar area. This space boasted low-level lighting that gave out a slightly more relaxed atmosphere, but there was still very much a party-feel to the place due to the multitude of concealed speakers hidden within the palm trees and exotic plants of all colours and varieties that meant the music spilled outside for those who wished to party out in the open air.
Vince was very proud of this club. It was one of his favourite places to hang out, out of all the bars and clubs in all of his hotels. He just hoped tonight would be a great night, a night to mark the end of a rough time for all of them. A time to, maybe, kick-start some new beginnings. God knows they needed them.
‘Hey, kiddo. I didn’t see you there,’ Vince smiled as Charley walked over to him, looking elegantly fashionable in a beautiful knee-length turquoise dress that complimented both her tanned skin and her long dark hair that fell down her back in a cascade of curls. ‘Oh, boy, you look stunning. You look absolutely stunning!’
Charley smiled too, wanting to reach out and take his hand but she held back, still a little nervous after everything that had happened, still wary of showing too much affection towards him in case he thought it just a touch too early.
‘What’s the matter?’ Vince asked, sensing something was up. ‘Everything okay?’
She nodded, breathing an inward sigh of relief as he reached out and slipped his arm around her waist, pulling her against him.
‘You still worried about Jimmy?’
She nodded, leaning into Vince. ‘Just because he’s been lying low for a while doesn’t mean to say he’s forgotten all about me.’ She took a couple of beats, trying to decide whether or not to tell Vince about the recent phone call she’d received from Jimmy Cash. Was tonight the right time? Was any time the right time?
‘Come on, something’s on your mind and I told you, didn’t I? I told you to talk to me, Charley. Don’t bottle it up, don’t hide things from me. I can’t help you if I don’t know what’s on your mind.’
She sighed, pulling away from him slightly. ‘He called me.’
‘Who did? Jimmy? He called you? When?’
‘A couple of days ago.’
‘A couple of… And? What did he say to you? Come on, Charley. What did he say?’
‘He said something about it almost being over… that we should all take care…’ She trailed off, not knowing what else she could say.
‘Is that all? Charley? Look at me, honey. Is that all he said?’
Charley nodded. ‘That’s all he said. What did he mean, Vince?’
Vince shrugged. ‘I have no idea. But, look, there’s not much we can do tonight, okay? Security are everywhere, nobody’s gonna get in here that shouldn’t be in here, I promise you that.’
She couldn’t help smiling. ‘If your name’s not on the list you’re not getting in, is that it?’
‘Yeah. Something like that,’ Vince laughed, pulling her in for another hug, kissing the top of her head as his expression changed slightly. This wasn’t over yet, that seemed more than apparent but, like he’d told Charley, there wasn’t much they could do tonight, apart from alert security and ask them to be twice as vigilant. But the one thing he didn’t want was for Charley to see he was concerned. She needed to think he was on top of this. She needed to know he was capable of stopping it all. ‘Let’s just try and have a great night tonight, okay? We can worry about everything else in the morning.’ He pulled back slightly, kissing her quickly and giving her what he hoped was a confident smile. ‘We’ll sort this, Charley, I promise you. We’ll sort this out.’
‘Okay,’ she smiled, kissing him back, believing every word he said because she trusted him. She loved him. ‘Let’s just have a great night.’
***
‘Wow! Layla’s pregnant, huh?’ India sighed, sitting down on the stairs. They were just about to leave for the party when Layla had called her with the news, wanting her to hear it from her and Michael before they announced it publicly, once they were back home in L.A.
Dominic sat down next to her. ‘Does it bother you?’
‘No!’ She didn’t miss a beat when answering that question. The