Vegas Curves (A Masters of the Game BBW Erotic Romance) by Christa Wick Page B

cowering at his feet and it dawns on me that this is probably the first time anyone has hit her -- ever.
    Grabbing the now empty chair, Solandro drags it until it is right beside me and then sits down. Reaching behind him, he pulls a pistol from his pants and places it across his lap. "You're gonna make this right, Queenie."
    I nod, trying not to think about how much time has passed since I left the casino. Each minute is another minute Luke has failed to find me. I worry that maybe he isn't even looking. He has the lenses and the cards from his casino. He knows Solandro's network. The threat to his business is eliminated. He offered me an out earlier when he tried to keep me from the meeting. I rejected it, disobeyed him, turned away from the safety he offered me -- not once, but three times.
    If I die tonight, it won't be Luke's fault. He can walk away with a clean conscience, so will he really care?
    I look back to Solandro and try to find something inside me to hold onto, to keep my mind centered so I can avoid a midnight execution. Meeting his cold stare, I force a smile. "You have any ideas how I can do that?"
    He looks me over, his gaze lingering in a way I never would have anticipated. I'm not sure, but I think Solandro Ortiz is actually ogling me.
    Swiping at his face, he grins. "It's not me you have to fix this for, chica. So you better put that famous brain to work pronto."
    "Killing her would fix it." Rose sits on the floor, her arms around her knees and a hateful fire burning in her green eyes.
    "You're about the stupidest little bitch I ever met, Rose." His hand on his lap, Solandro pulls the hammer back on the pistol. Lifting it, he points the gun at Rose. Her gaze widens, the pupils rapidly dilating to crowd her irises.
    "Please, don't." My hands still bound, I lightly brush a finger against Solandro's calf to draw his attention from Rose.
    Lowering the gun, he laughs. "Even now, you still want to save this scrawny little cunt?"
    I look at my sister. If possible, I think she hates me even more because I intervened. I turn back to Solandro and nod. "I just need a little time to think."
    Squirming, I raise one brow in what I hope looks like extreme discomfort. "And pee."
    Solandro laughs again, long and hard enough that his grip on the pistol loosens. Catching the gun before it can hit the floor, he waves it at one of his crew. "Pollo, take her to the bathroom. Make sure she doesn't escape."
    Pollo extends his hands far beyond the width of my hips and snorts. "I don't think they make windows that big."
    "Just fucking do what I say." Reaching behind me with a knife, Solandro cuts the rope binding my hands.
    I rub at them, using every last second of my escort's approach before I stand and slowly follow him to the restroom. I look for any unguarded exits and potential weapons as we walk. The restroom is halfway down the middle of a long hall. There is a fire extinguisher at the same point and an exit at the end, but another man guards it.
    I enter the bathroom and whatever hopes I have of being left alone are dashed as Pollo follows me inside and points at the first stall. I enter it, slide the lock and look at the toilet seat.
    Uhm...no.
    "I don't hear you peeing, blanca."
    Snarling at the man, I pull toilet paper from the dispenser and use it as a makeshift cover. Lips peeling back in distaste, I sit down with the solid knowledge that -- if I make it through the night alive -- I will need to Lysol my private bits.
    "I still don't hear--"
    The sound of a thin stream of urine hitting the ceramic bowl stops his chatter. His feet, visible under the door, retreat and I marginally relax. Only marginally -- I still have no idea what I am going to do. At least Solandro considers me some kind of asset for the moment.
    Maybe if he knew more about my deal with Luke--
    I shake my head. Solandro's crew might consider ransoming me, but Luke has no reason to pay. Still, I don't dismiss the idea completely -- it might buy me