Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 126098 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 630(@200wpm)___ 504(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126098 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 630(@200wpm)___ 504(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
“Alfie, this is Sarah.”
The chef looked her up and down and then nodded. To Abby he said, “We have a bouillabaisse with a spicy rouille that is to die for. And a steak bearnaise with sweet potato straws.”
“Sounds amazing,” Abby replied.
The michelin star chef nodded and Abby made her way to the empty chef’s table. Sarah attempted to join her but was halted by the frenchman.
“No, no, no!” he said loudly. “We cook! You come!”
Sarah’s jaw dropped as a sous chef handed her a jacket with her own name embroidered in royal blue on the lapel. She glanced at Abby who grinned widely at her.
“Make it good!” Abby called out as she took a seat. “I’m starving!”
Alfie had decided that Sarah had worked hard enough to join Abby at the table in the corner. Sarah slid into the booth looking incredibly joyful as a waiter slid the plates onto the table.
“I can’t believe I cooked with Alphonse Remoude!” she gasped, grabbing a chilled water glass off the table and taking a huge gulp. “Oh my God!”
Abby took a bite of the seafood soup and moaned gratefully. “Well, you did an excellent job. This is awesome!”
“Do you know how to flambe a wine sauce?” Sarah asked.
“Nope,” Abby admitted.
“Well, I do now!”
Both women sipped the wine that the waiter had poured and giggled happily.
****
The men played three hands and were about to start a fourth, if they could get Easy to stop tucking chips into the brunette’s short shorts long enough to focus on dealing. But they were cut short by the hostess who had returned through the double doors.
“Your time is up, gentleman,” she announced with a hint of disappointment in her voice.
“What?” Easy protested. “I want to stay! Let’s stay!”
The hostess shook her head. “I’m afraid it’s not on your agenda,” she informed them. “But come see us again!”
The men gathered up their winnings after the waitresses cashed their chips in for them. Hawk tucked a large stack of bills into his jeans. “I feel like a high roller,” he declared.
Shooter laughed.
In the alley, Walter was waiting for them, and they climbed back into the Hummer. Before they pulled away he passed a manila envelope through the open partition. Shooter took it and opened it. Tex leaned across the seat for a better view. There was a flyer, another business card with Abby’s name on it, and a note in her handwriting.
A little bird told me that Vasquez is looking good tonight. Good luck! -A.R.
“What is it?” Tex asked, angling for a better look.
Shooter glanced at the flyer, the note, and then to Tex. “I think- I think your girlfriend just gave me an inside tip.”
“What?” Doc demanded and snatched the flyer away from Shooter. Then he took the accompanying note. “Holy shit,” he declared.
Easy examined the note. “Think it’s true?”
Hawk grunted. “I’m putting everything I got in my pocket on this kid,” he announced.
Easy made a face. “Well, I lost my shirt, but I’m so betting on this dude. Maybe I can get some of it back.”
Everyone laughed.
Walter drove them straight to the front doors of the venue but didn’t get out. Valets opened all the doors for the men and they emerged into the spotlights and raucous crowd gathering for a Friday Night Fight in Las Vegas. As Walter glided away in the Hummer limo, Shooter pulled out the business card and, as instructed on the back, showed it to the valet. The young man led him in through the front doors and waved over a woman in slacks and a fitted blazer with a security I.D. lanyard around her neck. Shooter again presented the card and the men were ushered past the teeming crowds of people trying to get to the arena.
The woman led them to the end of a hall, used a key to activate a private elevator, and they rode it three floors up. She directed them to a small, private viewing room overlooking the ring. Shooter grinned and took one of the middle seats, pushing it back so it reclined a little. The men placed bets with the besuited woman who returned with their billets as they raided the bar for ice cold beers.
****
After dinner at La Celestine, Abby swung the Caddy into a parking lot on the Strip and killed the engine. She waggled her eyebrows at Sarah. Sarah looked at the brightly lit building in front of them.
“Oh, come on,” Abby challenged. “Look but don’t touch, right?”
The two girls walked quickly across the parking lot and the bouncer held the door for them as Abby shuffled Sarah inside.
After her eyes adjusted, Sarah’s mouth dropped open. “Is is Ladies’ Night?” she asked quietly, taking it all in.
“It’s always Ladies’ Night here,” said a velvety voice behind them. Sarah jumped nervously as a perfectly chiseled shirtless man grinned at them.