Chapter 10

Sadie

“I can’t forget the laptop; I have an important test later today.” I couldn’t believe an entire week was gone and I was about to board a plane for Las Vegas before the sun had even risen over the horizon.

Things had moved fast, and just like I expected, Jack hadn’t canceled the show. Darek had also not done a damned thing about it, but get his ass in gear and prepare for the trip. He went to his appointment with his doctor, who wasn’t a bit impressed, but renewed the pain prescription for one more week, just in case Darek overdid it. He’d finished his antibiotics, so he was feeling much better, and it was amazing how much his mobility and energy had improved. He still wouldn’t be standing for the speech but had incorporated some ideas into his routine to make up for it.

“We won’t forget it. Just put it in the pile by the door.” Darek had been much shorter with me, and while he wasn’t rude, I could tell there was tension between us. I still didn’t regret the sex, but it had definitely changed his attitude toward me.

Jack came out of the kitchen sucking down an energy drink like it was his life fuel. “We have a routine, which I’m sure you’ll adjust to.” I went back over my list of things I needed to bring and grabbed my handbag and tucked Darek’s pain medicine inside, along with the schedule for his doses.

A few men came to carry our things in as Darek and I went ahead to the elevator. Jack stayed behind to give instructions.

“I’ve never been on a private plane before. Is it one of those small planes?” I had heard about celebrities and others dying in those little planes and had gone over every terrible scenario since I knew we were going.

“It’s not the smallest, but don’t worry. I have a great pilot on call, and he’s going to see us there safely. I’ve arranged for adjoining rooms, and Jack will be staying next door. I didn’t think you’d mind for one night. Besides, by the time we get there, I’ll have enough time to get you settled and made my way down to the event.”

When the elevator stopped, we marched out to the car where the driver opened the door for us.

I slid across the seat and dropped my bag down beside me. “It’s sure a fast turn-around.” We would get to Vegas Friday morning, and be on our way back home Saturday afternoon.”

Darek entered the car and settled in his seat, thanking the driver. “We make the most of our time, for sure. It’s the way we always do. You’ll get used to it.” I knew my job would eventually take me away from the Avalon and on the road with him, but I hadn’t really known what to expect.

Jack came down with the men, and they loaded the car. Once they were done, he opened the car door and got inside the cab with us.

“We’re all set, boss.” He cut his eyes to me and leaned forward to tell the driver to go.

As the car moved, I couldn’t help but feel his eyes on me. I wondered if Darek had boasted about having bedded me, but the guy seemed more irritated by my being there than the fact that I might have slept with our boss. I wondered if part of him were jealous because I could do something for Darek that he couldn’t.

We made our way to the airport, and on the flight, Darek and Jack talked about business while I studied some notes for my test.

Once we made it to the hotel room, and everything was unloaded, Darek and Jack got ready to head down to the venue.

“We shouldn’t be gone long, and it’s just downstairs in the next building. You can’t miss us. We’ll be on the stage.”

“I’m going to freshen up, order an early lunch and start on my test.” I wouldn’t have to go to the event, and Jack had made it clear with his dirty looks that I was better off staying behind.

“Good luck on that test.” Darek offered me a smile, and it was the first moment I felt like he’d really noticed me since I’d told him I wanted things to be strictly professional.

“Thanks.”

“Yeah, good luck.” Jack offered me the first smile of the day as he and Darek headed out the door. Something about the saccharine tone of his voice made my skin crawl.

I went about my plans and ordered a quick lunch which I ate near the window so I could enjoy the view of the Vegas strip. I finished eating and decided to unpack the computer, but when I went to find the bag, it was missing.

“No. Don’t tell me.” I searched the entire suite in a panic. My test was for half my grade, and missing it wasn’t an option. I checked my watch and grabbed my bag, making sure I had the passkey to return. I tried to call Darek, but he didn’t answer. Really? I would have to go down and see if Darek or Jack had somehow brought the computer bag with them because I knew I’d placed it with the other things for the men to carry out to the car.

I checked my watch, and my heart dropped. I had less than an hour till log in, and I would waste most of it going downstairs, but I had no choice.

I hurried out to the elevator and as soon as it stopped, I bee-lined for the building next door. The place was huge and wouldn’t you know, Darek was on the far side from the entrance. Jack was beside him, and the two were moving Darek’s chair around the room as if trying to find the best place for maximum effect.

I hated to disturb him at the venue, but I rushed over to the stage. Before I could get to him, a big, burly security guard, who looked like something out of a post-apocalyptic series with his metal capped teeth stepped out in front of me.

“You’re not going up there. Mr. Dillon is working, and unless you have a pass, I’m going to have to ask you to walk your pretty feet the other way.” His voice sounded as if he’d gargled acid every morning since childhood.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m Mr. Dillon’s assistant.”

“You don’t have a pass; you don’t get to see him. Sorry, doll, that’s the rules.” His hand fell against my chest as he stepped forward to push me back.

“I beg your pardon, but if you’d just ask him. I’m trying to get my computer. I think we left it on the plane or back at the Avalon.”

“You were at the Avalon, huh?” He folded his arms and turned his head to a man who was standing near the back exit. “Hey, Gary; this girl says she’s with Dillon?”

The man looked at me and shrugged. “I wasn’t there this morning.”

“You’re going to have to leave.” He stepped forward again, but I wasn’t ready, and he nearly knocked me off of my feet.

I let out a scream as I stumbled and fell into the wall beside me. I wasn’t going without getting his attention. “Darek!” I screamed his name even louder, and the guard scooped me up and tucked me under his sweaty arm.

Jack looked up and smiled; then he elbowed Darek to get his attention.

Darek shot up from the chair and nearly stumbled himself. “Let her go!” He limped his way to the edge of the stage but was still several feet away. “That’s my assistant, for fuck’s sake.”

“Sorry, boss. I was told not to let anyone near you. We were all told there was a crazy stalker fan hanging around and that no one could be here without a pass.” The guy placed me on my feet and smiled with his crooked teeth. “Sorry.” He headed to the back door with his friend.

I righted my clothes and caught my breath as Darek made his way to me. “Are you okay? I’m so sorry about that.” He turned and called up to Jack. “What’s this about a crazy stalker?”

Jack shrugged. “Who the hell knows. First I’ve heard about it.” Something in the way he acted, told me he’d had something to do with it, and it was then I knew for certain he’d left my computer at home.

“Did you need something? Are you hurt?” He looked me over.

“No, I’m not hurt, but I’m not fine either. The computer is missing! The computer that I put in the pile by the door, the one I need for my test in less than a fucking hour. This test is half of my grade. I’ll have to repeat the entire course if I fail.”

“Are you sure you put it with the other things? Maybe it got set off to the side?”

“It was between the two larger bags; there’s no way it was placed aside. Unless someone did it on purpose of course.” I glared up to Jack who folded his arms and laughed as I made the accusation.

“You don’t think Jack had something to do with it, Sadie? Why would he? Seriously, we’ve been hard at work all morning; I’m sure it was just misplaced.” He acted as if it was no big deal as he reached into his wallet. “Here, take this and go buy a new computer.”

I took the four crisp hundreds from his hands and gripped them into a wad. “I only have half an hour until login, I’m in a city I’ve never been, and you’re expecting me to go find a store and buy a new fucking computer in that amount of time?”

“I’m saying; I don’t have time to deal with this, Sadie.” He kept saying my name like we were strangers and I wanted to smack him.

“Fine. But I know this was deliberate. Your friend might have you fooled, but he doesn’t fool me.” I turned and stormed away and headed to the hotel lobby where a man was sitting with his laptop. I stared down at the wad of bills in my hand and knew what I’d have to do.