Vegas Bad Boy

VINNY

I pace the waiting room of Doc’s clinic, shooting the occasional prayer heavenward in the hope of getting an update.

Doc had been waiting outside for us when we arrived. After he and his team rushed Sidney and Angelo inside on separate stretchers, the double doors had swung closed and haven’t opened since.

Theo hangs up his phone and comes to stand next to me. “The diner doesn’t have cameras, so it’s a no-go. But Isaac’s pulling CCTV footage from the area.”

I nod. “Angelo?”

“No updates from Doc yet, but he looked a lot better than the girl. Whoever did this got the jump on him and attacked him from behind.”

Damn you, Angelo. What were you playing at?

I think about texting my father to keep him informed but decide against it. If he has to cut his vacation short so soon after handing me the reins to the family, I’ll lose his respect forever.

Squeaking hinges draw my attention, and I turn to see Doc emerging through the double doors.

“She’s awake. She’s got a bad concussion, a few stitches, and two broken ribs, but she’ll pull through.”

I let out a long sigh of relief. “And my brother?”

“He’s fine. He’s got a concussion as well.

“Neither of them should be allowed to fall asleep for the next twenty-four hours until we know there’s no further risk. We’ll monitor the woman here overnight, but your brother can leave.”

“I need to see her.”

Doc leans back against one of the swinging doors and holds it open for me.

I turn to Theo. “Find out who did this.”

“We will.”

I follow Doc down the hall. The place is dark and quiet, with just a few scattered lights illuminating the cold, sterile hallway.

I wonder if he has any other patients on the ward but I don’t care enough to ask.

He leads me into one of the rooms. It’s dark but for a small lamp on the side table, casting long shadows over Sidney’s face and body.

I can see morning’s rays of sunshine peeking through the small gaps in the slats of the blind on the far window. Outside, the birds are singing.

I sit by her bed, holding her hand and brushing her hair back from her face. Her left cheek is swollen, and she’s got three stitches just below her hairline. Blood is dried on her face and in her hair.

Her breathing is heavy but regular.

“Dammit, she’s not supposed to be sleeping.”

Doc moves to wake her, but I grab him by his elbow.

“No, Doc, let her sleep.”

“But the concussion—”

“You’ve done your checks, right? Any sign of any internal bleeding?”

He shakes his head.

“Then I’ll accept responsibility if anything happens. Please, Doc. The woman’s had a tough day. Rest is what she needs more than anything.”

Doc frowns but knows not to push me. “I’ll go check on your brother. Press that red button on the wall if you need anything.”

I pull a chair up to the side of the bed and take her hand in mine. “I’m so sorry, baby,” I whisper, kissing her fingers. This petite, blue-eyed girl has stolen my heart.

***

When I feel Theo’s hand on my shoulder, I sit up with a start. The blinds are open, and the sun is high in the sky.

“What time is it?” I ask while looking Sidney over.

She’s still asleep.

“Midmorning. Did you know Angelo is sitting outside? Doc sent him home hours ago, but he won’t leave her side.”

“Trying to make up for last night? Show me how sorry he is?”

Theo shrugs as I accept the coffee he hands me. “Or he realizes his mistake and is more determined than ever to keep her safe. She wake up yet?”

“Not since last night. Doc says she’s okay and just needs sleep. I want to be here when she does.”

He sits down on the other side of the bed. “Isaac has a lead. Looks like it was Carlos. CCTV at the gas station up the highway caught his car coming and going just fifteen minutes apart.”

“Carlos? What the…? Of all the people who should know better than to mess with me.”

“You fired him yesterday, right? Maybe he wants revenge?” Theo casts a glance over Sidney. “Or maybe he’s still got his eye on her, and now neither works for you, he thinks she’s fair game?”

Without thinking, I clench my fists. The polystyrene cup explodes in my hand, and I cover myself in burning-hot coffee. “Dammit!” I jump up and start brushing myself off.

Theo hands me his cup, but I wave him away.

“Don’t worry about it, I’m not tired anyway. Who’s after him?”

“Frank and Dallas. They called just before I came in. Carlos isn’t at home. Looks like he was smart enough to know we’d be coming after him. His right-hand man, however—”

“That pathetic creep has a right-hand man?”

Theo shrugged. “Some little rat called Olan. Caught him clearing out Carlos’s apartment. They’re on their way to your house now.”

I look at Sidney for the ten thousandth time. The swelling on her eye looks worse than it did last night. Yellow and black and larger than before.

“No, not the house. I’ll be taking her there later. Have them take him to one of the clubs. I’ll meet them as soon as I can.”

“You got it,” Theo says, his voice quiet and husky.

He pauses. “And Boss, I spoke with Angelo. He feels pretty bad. I know he’s fucked up before, but even he knows this is the biggest mistake yet. Says he’ll take whatever punishment you give him.”

“Tell him to come in. Make sure Dallas and Frank let me know which club they take this little rat to.”

He nods and heads for the door. I hear the low grumble of his voice as he speaks to my brother.

Angelo practically sprints into the room a moment later. “Vinny, I’m so sorry. I’ll accept whatever punishment you see fit—”

I hold up my hand to shut him up. “Angelo, calm down. Of course I’m pissed, but I know you would’ve stopped it if you could. You’ll be on shit duty for a while.”

He nods. “I’ll take it.”

“Go get some rest.”

He’s barely out the door again when I feel Sidney’s hand twitch in mine. I get to my feet and lean in. “Beautiful?”

“Vinny?” Her voice is a rasp.

“I’m here,” I say, handing her a glass of water. “Drink this. I’ll get Doc.” I reach over to press the red button on the wall. “How are you feeling?”

“Like I’ve been beaten to a pulp.” She blinks herself awake before wincing and slowly moving her hand up toward her injured eye. “Vinny, it was—”

“Carlos, I know, I know, Sid. We’re already on it. I’ve got the guys out looking for him, and we’ve got the guy who helped him.”

I stroke her head, removing the hair from her face. When she nuzzles into my palm, a strange pulse of warmth catapults itself through my chest.

“Just rest, baby. The doc will be here soon, then I’ll take you home.”

SIDNEY

I awaken in a lush bedroom. The sheets feel like soothing aloe on my aching body, and the immense cover is so soft that I wonder if I’ll ever be able to get up again.

Not that I want to. It’s dark outside the window, which means I must have fallen asleep again after the doctor checked me out. I don’t think I’ve ever slept so much in one day.

I turn my head to take in the room, but pain shoots through my chest. The doctor had said something about broken ribs.

The memory of Carlos kicking my side flashes in my mind, making me feel sick.

“You’re awake!”

I grit my teeth and turn through the pain. The bedroom is bigger than my apartment… Well, old apartment. The gray, patterned walls and dark furniture tell me it’s a man’s bedroom.

“Vinny,” I mumble, “is that you?” I can’t turn all the way to see the doorway. It’s not just because of the pain. The bandages around my torso are stopping me from moving. I pick at the edge.

“Nope, no touching.” Vinny walks into view. “Doc says they need to stay on for a few days, so they’re staying on.”

“But I need to clean up.”

“A hot bath might help.” I try to lift myself onto my elbows and immediately regret it. “Is there anyone around who can help me?”

Vinny shakes his head. “Lucinda’s away for the weekend, but I can help you.”

“Er, no, I don’t think so. It’s already strange enough to wake up in your house.”

He crosses over his heart. “I’ll behave, I promise.” In a flash, he’s at my side, carefully weaving my arm over his shoulder.

When I’m finally on my feet, I can see the rest of the bedroom. The red carpet on the wooden floor contrasts with the dark colors elsewhere, and the heavy gray curtains make me long for sleep again.

The bathroom is almost as big as the bedroom. The tiled floor is heated, and the sink curves around the corner. There is a freestanding bath in the middle, but he leads me into the shower.

“I’ve caused you enough pain just walking in here. There’s no way you’re getting in my tub today. But it’s ready for you to use in the future.”

“Wait, this is your bathroom? That was your bed I woke in?”

“Of course,” he says, leaning in to turn the water on.

“Don’t you have a guest room I can stay in?”

He shakes his head. “I know you don’t like to hear it, Sidney, but you belong to me. The best place for me to look after you is right here. Come on, let’s take your clothes off.”

I don’t know why…but I let him help me. There’s something in his manner, in the way he is being so careful with me, that tells me I can trust him.

I manage to remove my shirt, but Vinny has to help with the bandage, my bra, and getting my pants and underwear off past my knees.

He assists me into the shower, and I wince again.

“Is it too hot?”

“No, it’s just right. I’m just so sore.”

“Shall I leave you alone?”

“Could…could you help me wash my hair?” He’s already seen me naked. At least I’m not on my period right now. That would be mortifying.

He grabs my shampoo. “Sure.” He squirts some into his hand and begins massaging it into my head.

Tingles shoot through my nerve-endings. Both of us are silent when we see the water tinge red as it runs over and off my hair and body.

He stays behind me the whole time, his eyes never once lingering on me in a way that might make me uncomfortable, and as soon as I’m clean, he turns the water off and wraps me in a towel.

“Let’s put the bandage back on.” He leads me out of the shower. “My sister has lent us some PJs you can borrow.”

“I brought PJs. Where are my things?”

He juts his square chin out, back toward the bedroom. “In the wardrobe, like I promised. But these are satin. You’ll enjoy them much more.”

After securing the bandage around my torso, he disappears for a moment, and I get my first look at myself in the mirror. I immediately start to cry.

I look worse than a beaten-up MMA fighter. My left eye is a deep purple and sickly yellow, my cheek is swollen, I have stitches in my hairline, and scratches cover my chest.

“Hey, shh,” Vinny says, jogging back in, carrying the silky pajamas. He wraps his arms around me from behind. “You’re beautiful.”

He leads me back into the bedroom and gently helps me lie back on the bed. “I’m sorry this happened to you, Sidney. I promised to look after you and I failed on the first day.

“But that’s the only time I’ll fail you. This home is your home now, your fortress, your castle. You’re safe here. I’m here and I’ll defend you.”

I look at him with sad eyes. “Why are you being so kind to me? I don’t understand. You’re one of the most terrifying people in all of Vegas, my father owes you money, and you barely know me…

“Is…is this all some kind of cruel game to you?”

Vinny leans in and plants a firm kiss on my forehead. “This is no game, beautiful. I’m not sure I understand it myself. But I want you here. I need you here.”