Chapter Thirty-One

I booked us rooms at the Bellagio, and when we walk into ours, Harper's eyes grow wide and her mouth falls open. She gasps and runs around the room, soaking in the elegance of it all. Well – elegant by Vegas standards, anyway. It's a little too gaudy and artificial for my personal taste, but it's a nice hotel all the same.

“Oh, my God,” she exclaims. “Pinch me, I have to be dreaming. This place is amazing.”

I laugh. “I thought you might like it here.”

She runs to me and throws her arms around my neck, squeezing me tight. I give her a kiss and relish the feeling of her body against mine. As I look into her eyes, I still can't believe that this is all really happening. We haven't known each other for very long at all, and already, I can't see my life without her.

The pull I have to her is more powerful than anything I've ever experienced. I'm utterly drawn to Harper. Compelled by her. She burst into my life and turned everything upside down. And the really strange thing is, I like it. I'm usually so controlled and so careful about everything. But Harper encourages me to be more open. To be freer. To be more the man I want to be.

“You might want to get yourself dressed and ready,” I say. “We have an early dinner planned and then I have a surprise for you.”

She arches an eyebrow at me. “A surprise, huh?”

I nod. “Yup.”

“And what is it?” she asks, a flirtatious little smile upon her lips.

“Well, if I told you that, it wouldn't be a surprise, now would it?”

She slaps me playfully on the arm. “You're going to make me wait?”

“That's kind of the point of a surprise,” I say, giving her a devilish little grin.

“Such a brat.”

“That's me.”

She turns and walks into the bathroom and I can hear her ooh'ing and ahh'ing over everything in there. Her awe and wonder about everything is so refreshing – not to mention, that it's altogether adorable.

“Oh, my God! There is a jacuzzi in here!” she squeals.

“We may have to try that out later,” I say.

She leans out of the bathroom and smiles at me. “We could try it out now, baby.”

I glance at my watch. “You're incorrigible,” I say. “Not that I mind it. But we can't be late tonight.”

She sticks out her lower lip, giving me a sad puppy dog look. I just laugh and shake my head.

“Make it up to you later?” I ask.

“You better.”

“I have to go check on the boys,” I say. “I'll be right back.”

“I'll be here,” she calls to me.

I step into the hall and go to the door across the hall and knock. A moment later, Miguel opens up and gives me a smile.

“Not only do I get to ride in a private jet,” he says, “but now I'm staying in the damn Bellagio?”

I shrug. “Nothing but the best for my guys.”

“Obviously,” he laughs. “Thanks, boss.”

“Anytime, Miguel,” I say. “Listen, are you sure you and Jack want to split a room? I mean, I know he's married, but you're not –”

Miguel shakes his head. “It's cool. But thanks,” he says. “We're working.”

“Always the dutiful soldier,” I say.

“Yes, sir,” he replies.

“Listen, that's kind of what I wanted to talk to you about,” I say. “I'm taking her over to Nico's for dinner and I figure that you two can just take the night off. Get out, enjoy a little of the Vegas nightlife.”

“Appreciate the offer, but we're here to do a job,” he says.

“And I appreciate that,” I say. “But I think I'm going to be perfectly safe in the restaurant.”

“That's what they all say right before somebody walks up and puts a bullet in you.”

I laugh. “Thanks for that bone-chilling description.”

He shrugs. “It's my job,” he says.

“No way I'm going to talk you both into going out and getting shitfaced and enjoying a night off, huh? It's on me?”

“You couldn't shake us on the way to the airport,” he says. “You really think we're going to let you out of our sight now?”

I chuckle. “Apparently not,” I say. “Fine then. We're heading down in about an hour. I assume we'll see you at the elevator?”

“Wouldn't miss it for the world.”

“Thanks, Miguel,” I say. “I mean it. You and Jack are – I just appreciate you guys.”

“Remember that when bonus time rolls around,” he laughs.

“I'll do that.”

I turn to go and Miguel's voice stops me.

“Hey, boss,” he says.

I turn back to him. “Yes?”

“For whatever it's worth, I think she's good for you, you know,” he says. “I see a real difference in you when you're around her. A good difference. I think she's good.”

I give him another smile. “I think you're right,” I say. “I feel different around her.”

Miguel gives me a nod. “See you in about an hour.”