I take the elevator downstairs to Kenny’s Casino and spot the others huddled in a corner of the bar talking to Kenny. Cole turns around and slaps me on the shoulder. “Good to see you. It’s been a minute.” He lowers his voice. “I heard they have you taking care of the Italian family members while they’re visiting in Vegas.”
Jay, one of the security team leaders, holds up a pitcher of beer and a glass. I give him a nod and reach over the top of the others to grab my drink as I answer Cole, making sure we’re not overheard. “It’s been a good assignment. Low-key enough right now, but after everything that’s gone on in Vegas, we can’t be too careful. They have extra soldiers and enforcers covering the family right now so that we can attend the wedding, but after next week, it’ll be all hands on deck again.”
Garrett, the soon-to-be-groom, walks toward us from the back and gets a round of slaps on the back and a fair amount of ribbing from the guys. “We send Cole to Deadwood, South Dakota with one mission, and he ends up putting down roots with a wife, kids, and all. We send Garrett to give him a hand, expecting him back in a week, and now he’s getting married too.” Matt, one of the other leaders of the team, looks around dramatically. “Clearly something’s in the beer around these parts.”
I chug back my beer, happy to have a few days off and be with the group who took me in as part of the elite bodyguard team for the Larussios. A job that not only takes a certain skill set, but also takes knowing someone who has the ears of the boss to get into one of the positions. A job I enjoy and wouldn’t trade for the world, including any female, although these guys look happy enough with the women they adore.
Damian and Dereck talk quietly amongst themselves and look up when the pitcher of beer is passed around, each refilling their glass. They too are happy to be on a well needed vacation from the regular grind of protecting the Larussios and their extended family.
Sheldon and Nick join the group a few minutes later. Sheldon extends a hand, and I shake hands with him. “Good to see you. It’s been a while. We heard you got assigned to the Italian side of the family out in Vegas. How’s that working out for you?”
I grin. Word gets around our elite little crew. “There’s nothing not to like about it at all. I haven’t had any issues. I just do my job and keep to myself. They’re incredibly generous and have been more than decent to me. I like the area, with the exception of the heat, so it’s been a good fit. Plus, it’s not bad being close to the Larussios enforcers, Tommy, and his boys either. It’s come in handy for me and the guys protecting the rest of the family a few times.
Cole takes a pull of his beer. “No doubt. Tommy helped us clear up things here in Deadwood last year when the Chicago family had a hit put out on Kenny.” I find my way to a seat at the bar just as the empty pitcher makes its way to me. I grin at my thirsty friends. “Next round is on me,” I tell them, waiting for the barkeep with the long dark ponytail to turn around, but not minding the view of that ass in those skintight jeans while I wait.
Sheldon and Nick slide onto the stools beside me with their beers while Matt tells us the story of his tour of the Deadwood Cemetery where Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane are buried and then his hike through the trails earlier this morning.
Cole points to a beige and brown detailed trail map on the wall. “There’s definitely a lot to see in Deadwood. Trails, ski hills, historic landmarks. You name it, we’ve got it. Kenny, Lacy, PJ, and I use to play in some of those areas as kids. When we got older, we went out to the trails to park after dark with our boyfriends and girlfriends.”
The bartender finally turns around, and her violet blue eyes and pixie-like features take my breath away. Beautiful doesn’t quite describe what God created when he made her.
I hold up the empty pitcher with a grin. “Another of the same, please?”
She takes it from my hand, and my fingers brush with her softness before she abruptly pulls it away and puts it under the tap.
Garrett comes to stand beside me. “I’m glad you could make it, Mason.”
I shake his hand. “Me too. Tommy and some of the other Larussio boys are coming in on the next plane. They were handing off the details to the backup crew and then planned on taking off. They should be here in a couple hours.”
He laughs. “I hope we have enough beer. Man, those boys know how to party on their off time.”
I take a drink of my beer. “That they do. I can’t believe you’re tying the knot tomorrow. From the single life to the married club with two little words. Congratulations, man.”
Garret laughs. “I’ll say I do to Lacy all day long, every day of my life. Just you wait, my friend. Someday the right woman is going to come along and sweep you off your feet. Then we’ll see who’s laughing. I’ll remind you of this conversation at your own wedding one day.”
I narrow my eyes at my friend. “Not in this lifetime, man. I’m not looking for a wife, just a good time and a whole lot of it.”
The sexy little bartender places the pitcher of beer down on the counter, and it sloshes all over my hand and brand-new watch. Her eyebrows raise, and she doesn’t even open her mouth to apologize. Instead, her violet blue smoke-filled eyes glare at me as though I’ve just spilled beer on her instead of the other way around. But there’s a hint of a guilty smile under those soft looking pink lips that she can’t hide from me. Still, she tries. “I’m sorry.”
“You don’t look sorry in the least, now do you, little miss?”
Those eyes flash. “The name is PJ, not little miss.”