Chapter Five

Finn checked his watch after Pepper excused herself to use the restroom. As soon as the bathroom door closed, he rose and opened the teapot. Leaves and crumpled herbs floated atop the dark colored brew. Lifting the pot to his nose, he sampled the fragrance. The inherent potency in the drink made his nose itch. A receipt lay sideways, tucked beneath Pepper’s saucer. Glancing at the bathroom, he listened for the sound of the water running and slid the receipt out.

The hearty southern breakfast was listed as the meal, which explained all the food, and below that an order for Pomegranate Fusion Tea. Frowning, he picked the pot up and sniffed it again. He did detect a trace of pomegranate. Anywhere else, the fruit of the dead wouldn’t bother him—but at the Arcana Royale with its tapestry of freaks, powers and machinations? He didn’t trust it.

Setting the lid back into place, he folded the receipt in half and slid it into his pocket. He might order the fusion to his room later and test the properties. The water turned off in the bathroom. She’d looked better than the night before, more color in her cheeks and rested. Although, she’d looked damn adorable in her towel too.

Pity that she had to change. “Ready?”

The door opened and Pepper poked her head out. “One more minute, just want to touch up my hair.” She disappeared back into the bathroom before he could respond. There was nothing wrong with her hair. In the fifteen minutes he waited, she’d transformed herself into a gorgeous, earthy goddess. Tucking his hands into his pockets and resisting the urge to snoop, he turned his gaze out the window. The entire building hummed with low-level magic. He could feel it tingling like nettles on his skin—always in the background. It didn’t dare come too close, because the spells that fought him—like glamour—he extinguished.

Nothing about Pepper felt magical. Which was another reason to get her the hell out of here. She’s not trapped yet. No sense in leaving her like chattel. Unless she already is under their spell? I’ll know at the door.

What the Arcana Royale owned, and what they didn’t want to lose, could not leave. The people playing downstairs could linger for years without realizing the passage of time. The playground of the damned would be a better name for the place, but it probably wasn’t marketable. He never cared for the Royale, not in the years before his mother became an Overseer and even less in the years after.

Marguerite argued with him once. She’d wanted him to come and spend a year at the facility, to work there and amass the connections and wealth to set him up for a lifetime. She’d believed in a world where power was currency, and that with power one could do anything they wanted. She’d amassed a great deal over the centuries.

And yet she is dead. At least that’s what Fairuk believes. The dancer hadn’t lied to him. Every word she’d spoken, she believed without hesitation. It didn’t seem real. A wealth of differences separated him from his mother—viewpoints on life, on power…hell, on the simple act of existence. He didn’t mind an ordinary life and she wanted extraordinary, insisted upon it, craved it like a drug. But despite their ideological separation, she remained always his mother.

Shouldn’t I know if she is dead? He watched the people traveling the streets below, easily separating the tourists from the natives. They walked differently, gawked at the buildings and signs, took pictures, or studied their phones for directions. The locals navigated the streets without a sideways glance at the lush pomp and circumstance.

Not knowing whether Marguerite was dead or not troubled him less than whether or not he cared. His path had diverged from hers long before her tenure in this hellhole. Scrubbing a hand over his face, he turned and found Pepper standing right behind him. Adrenaline surged through him at the surprise.

“Are you okay?” Pepper studied him, her eyes wide and curious.

“Fine.” He forced his fists to unclench and shook the cobwebs from his mind that the thoughts of his mother had provoked. “You startled me.”

“Sorry.” She grimaced, a half-smile curving her lips. He really didn’t like the idea of someone using her against him.

But aren’t the best traps the ones that look the most inviting? Dismissing the worry, he motioned to the door. “Shall we?”

“Yes. But I have a rather nosy question to ask and I hope you don’t take offense.”

When she phrased it that way, he was prepared to quash any offense he might take. “I shall endeavor to persevere.” A formal inquiry deserved a formal answer.

She glanced down at her boots, seeming to struggle with whatever it was she wanted to ask. “Why do you want to go out? I mean—okay, there’s the conference going on and all the nonsense last night about you being a romance author aside—you don’t know me. We just met and I assumed you came here to do something.” She winced. “I don’t seem to be asking this very well.”

Finn laughed. “You’re asking it just fine. I want to go out with you because I like you. But I suppose you bring up a fair point. I am here for a little business, but only a little. Why are you here?”

Pepper hesitated and her “I’m on vacation” reply sounded flimsy. For the barest of seconds, he would have sworn the words surprised her. She sighed. “Actually, I’m on an enforced vacation. One I didn’t want to take.”

That statement rang with truth.

“Vacations can be good for you.” But he commiserated. The question he had now was who forced her to take a vacation and where did she work?

“If you say so.” She picked up a small purse and checked inside. He spotted a hairbrush, some lipstick and a slender wallet. A lighter traveler than most of the women he’d known. “So, what do you know about vacations?”

“They all start with getting out of the hotel.” The sooner the better. If she could walk out the front doors, she wasn’t tethered to the Overseers or the Arcana Royale. Beyond their influence, he could persuade her to move—maybe to the MGM Grand or another human resort.

They reached the lobby without interference. He scanned the crowd swarming through, headed for the restaurants and gaming tables. Apparently the conference was on a recess of some kind—name badges were everywhere. Pepper sidled closer to him when the crowd eddied around them. Sliding an arm around her, he tucked her in close and led her to the front doors.

They slid open silently and because he watched for it, he didn’t miss the way she swallowed hard. It could be nerves due to the heavy crowds, but her pace didn’t slow. The magic bled away as they stepped through the doors and into the wall of dry heat.

“Wow.” Pepper breathed and tilted her head up at the sun. “I forgot the heat.” She stepped away from him and turned around in a circle, looking everywhere.

“Yeah.” He chuckled. “It’s Nevada. So, where do you want to go first?”

“Anywhere.” Pepper grinned, and the warmth of it engulfed him far more than the sun dried air.

“Tell me, do you like chocolate?”

Threading her arm through Finn’s elbow, Pepper’s attention roamed over everything as they walked down the street. He expected the servants of the Overseers would search his room while they were out. They might even search Pepper’s, considering the time he’d spent with her. He accepted it. If he had his way, his companion wouldn’t be returning to the hotel tonight.

She came to an abrupt stop and he turned to look at the store window captivating her. Wildly colored purses, shoes and scarves decorated the storefront. Slipping free of him, she paced over to look at them, paying careful attention to each one.

He suppressed a smile. “Do you want to go inside?” Women and their shiny objects. 

“Oh, yes.” Enthusiasm filled her voice and she made a beeline for the front door. It jingled when she pulled it and he held it open for her. She disappeared among the racks of accessories. Finn leaned against the wall and waited. Hopefully she wouldn’t vanish in this temple to fashion. The oohs and aahs that drifted back made him chuckle.

An hour later, his amusement at her excitement waned. She held four purses, three necklaces, a pair of earrings, two strappy-heeled shoes and some kind of scarf. “I can’t decide.”

Arms folded, he tried to give the matter serious consideration. It wasn’t easy. “What are we trying to decide?”

“Well this pair of shoes goes with these two purses, but I don’t like them as much as this pair and they go with the other two. I think the earrings work with both—but the pashmina doesn’t work with this pair of shoes.” She stared at him expectantly.

Scratching his chin, Finn fumbled for the best response. “Why not just get them all?”

“Because that’s expensive. And I don’t have an outfit for these shoes, but I do have one for these.”

“Then get the ones you like best.”

Pepper looked troubled. “But…”

“I have an idea.” Finn held out his hands for the items. She eyed him curiously and handed them over. Bypassing her, he carried them up to the counter.

The clerk gave him a bright, sincere smile. “Did you find everything you need?”

“Not exactly.” He set each item on the counter, one at a time, so he could check them. No hum or itch struck his senses. They weren’t charmed. But he did sense something magical nearby.

“I’m sorry to hear that. What can I do to help?”

“My lovely companion needs an outfit to match…” He glanced at Pepper for confirmation on the pair of shoes in question. Wide-eyed, she pointed to the green pair. “These.” He tapped them. “She also needs all the requisite accessories.”

The clerk hustled around the shop, Pepper in tow. From the cashier’s desk, Finn had a direct line of sight to the front door. He spotted a silver-haired man staring in the front window who pretended to survey the contents, but his gaze lingered on Pepper. The man saw Finn watching him, nodded briefly and moved on—the moment he turned, Finn could have sworn he saw the hilt of a sword, but he couldn’t follow him. If he did, he’d have to leave Pepper behind. Whoever he was, he was from the casino. It could wait. 

Twenty-five minutes later, Finn carried two large bags and led the way down the Strip. They stopped in several more shops and she lost herself time and again. Even the most mundane of kitschy items captured her attention as if they were the very first time she’d seen them—from snow globes to oven mitts and more. 

It was soon after lunchtime and they still hadn’t reached his original goal. Sweat trickled down his back and he carried nearly ten bags worth of items. His credit card would hate him, but the simple joy shining in her wide eyes every single time she picked out an item far exceeded any materialistic cost. 

“Hungry?” He motioned to a shaded café attached to the MGM Grand and she followed him inside. They found a table, sat and placed their orders. So far, it had been an altogether ordinary date and Finn relaxed. Away from the Arcana and the constant presence of magic, spells and double-dealing, he could afford to be less vigilant.

“You know…” Pepper stirred a lemon into her iced tea. “You’ve been very indulgent with me today.”

“If that’s your way of saying thank you, then you’re welcome.”

Leaning forward, she clasped her hands together. “Actually, it’s my way of saying… most people don’t do something for nothing.” The simple, radiant joy she wore all morning sobered. “We just met. You were delightfully gallant last night, and you’ve been wonderful today. I’m having a great time. But things like this don’t happen to me. Life isn’t that kind…or random.”

The waitress delivered a mug of freshly brewed coffee and Finn used the distraction to buy some time. She left a fresh stack of napkins, a basket of fries and a bottle of ketchup. Pepper picked up one of the fries and nibbled it. Her assessing gaze held traces of suspicion.

“You’re worried about what I want from you?” he asked, pouring a measure of creamer into his mug.

“A little. I know I joined you for dinner, uninvited, but today? Today, you’re calling the shots.” Discomfort rippled across her face. “I’m sorry, I feel so rude even asking this.”

“You shouldn’t. Yes, you invited yourself to dinner, but it was a bright spot in an otherwise gloomy evening.” And he hadn’t even spoken to Fairuk at that point. “As for today, I wanted to get you out of the hotel, spend some time with you in the light of day.”

“Why?” She opened the ketchup and poured some onto her plate.

The urge to tell her, to fill her in on all the backroom shenanigans and darkness housed in the casino, tempted the hell out of him. Breaking their code of silence wouldn’t hurt him—far from it. They couldn’t touch him. But Pepper was human. Beautifully fragile and innocent. They could hurt her. “Do I need a reason?”

“I suppose not.” But she looked disappointed in the answer. She went silent for a moment, then pointed to his arm. “I saw your tattoo earlier. It’s not a fancy heart with a girl’s name on it, is it?” 

“No.” Not a topic he really wanted to talk about. “I got it a long time go.”

“The joys of a misspent youth?” 

“Something like that.” His mother had given him the mark, after all, and it was time to change the subject. “I want you to do something for me.” He stirred his coffee and set aside the spoon.

“That’s not an ominous way to begin.” A hint of her earlier smile curved her lips.

“It’s not ominous. I just want you to switch hotels…”

The request buzzed in Pepper’s ear, a wordless hum melting the statements together. His lips moved and he spoke, but she couldn’t process anything past the part where he wanted her to leave the Arcana Royale.

“No,” she whispered, but Finn continued talking. He sat forward, his expression intent and urgent. He didn’t seem to hear her. The man had a beautiful face and a most remarkable mouth, but apparently his ears didn’t work very well. 

“No,” she repeated.

“What?” He frowned.

“No. I don’t want to switch hotels. I like the Arcana. It’s beautiful. The casino floor has all those games…and you still owe me another round at the slots.” Sweat beaded along her neck and her heart thundered. Securing her future—the very idea of even having a future—depended on staying put.

“Pepper, look—I realize this sounds crazy and a little bit over the top. But I’ll pay for everything, move your stuff, get you set up. They have some amazing shows at the MGM or the Bellagio or the Luxor, wherever you want to go.”

“No.” She shook her hands to emphasize her refusal. “I’m not moving. It doesn’t sound crazy that you want to pay for me to relocate—it sounds suspicious and disturbing.” Maybe her job was to get close to him and distract him, but at not at the expense of her life. They couldn’t ask her for that—she knew damn well Heidi wouldn’t. “You know, maybe this is a mistake.” She rose, appetite forgotten. “I’m sorry you spent all that money this morning. If you give me the bags, I’ll return the items.”

Rising to her feet so quickly gave her a bit of a head rush, but she managed. Clenching her fists, she fought to hide the trembling his suggestion aroused in her. She needed to go back. Right now. What was I thinking leaving for so long? Her gut tightened. What if Heidi thinks I ran?

“Pepper, please—wait.” Finn touched her arm. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you and please, you don’t have to take the things back. I wanted to get them for you.”

“Well, I’m not for sale.” Until the moment he brought up moving her, she hadn’t even considered the implications of letting him pay for everything. She had a couple of credit cards in her purse. Heidi had thought of everything, but Finn always extended his before she could reach the ones she carried.

And face it, when was the last time you went shopping that wasn’t online or in a catalog? The Internet had brought the dancers so many more shopping options, but walking the strip, flitting in and out of the shops, had been an adventure. She wanted to do it again, but not if this meant what she thought it meant.

“I didn’t mean to imply you were.” His hand tightened around her wrist. “I apologize if that’s the impression I gave you. I just liked that you wanted them. You were like a kid at Christmas. Look, your food hasn’t gotten here and you’re enjoying the fries. Give me to the end of lunch to make amends?”

The fries were good and she really wanted to try the turkey burger she ordered. It sounded exotic and downhome at the same time. “You have to promise you won’t ask me to switch hotels again.”

He let go of her wrist and held up his hands, palms outward. “I won’t ask you to switch hotels again.”

She still considered leaving, but Heidi asked her to take care of this—yes, the word came down from the mysterious beings on high. The paranormal casino with its magical creatures and fantastical opportunities was her home. She’d lived with vampires, Amazons, nymphs and at least one imp, to name a few beings and adored each and every one of the women. The contrast between the mystical resort and the rather ordinary café they sat at now couldn’t be summed up easily.

“Pepper?” Finn waited for her response and others in the café started to stare at her. She was making a scene.

She reclaimed her seat, but gone was the whimsical fancy of the day. “Fine. But I want to go back as soon as we’re done with lunch.”

“All right, but I’d planned to take you to M&M World.”

She had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep her expression neutral. She and the other dancers had read about the decadent shop with its four levels of chocolate madness and delights. But she’d already taken a big bite out of the tempting crumbs he led her out of the casino with. No more. “Not today, thank you.”

“All right.” He tilted his head, studying her as if she had done something to surprise him. Perhaps he wasn’t used to being refused. Or maybe she’d just made a complete jackass out of herself, starting with their crazy introduction to the towel greeting in her hotel room up to the manic fit of shopping.

Though she was the tiniest bit relieved she didn’t have to return the green shoes. She adored them. Finn said nothing and the silence began to stretch uncomfortably.

Why does he want me to move? It didn’t matter, because she wasn’t doing it. But maybe Heidi would want to know. Plucking a fry from the basket, she swirled it in the ketchup and bit into it. It gave her something to do rather than fidget.

The waitress delivered their food, a burger for Pepper and a chicken fried steak sandwich for Finn. At the sight of the sandwich smothered in country gravy—though this gravy didn’t have sausage in it—Pepper nearly forgot her irritation.

She finished about half the burger before the lack of conversation wore her down. Without looking up from the sandwich, she had to ask, “Why do you want me to switch hotels?”

“I’ve been sitting here wondering how to explain. Unfortunately, you don’t know me well enough to trust my word.” He sounded disappointed.

“I don’t even know what you do.” She cringed inwardly at her own lie. She knew a little bit of what he did. Heidi told her.

“I work for the FBI.” And now Finn told her. That was unexpected.

She stopped picking at the burger and stared at him. “Really?”

“Really.”

Worrying a nail, she leaned forward. “Do you have a badge?”

His brief smile softened his features. “Yes, but I don’t have it on me currently. I’m not actually here on official business.”

“Oh.” It was her turn to be disappointed.

“Does knowing where I work encourage you to trust me?”

She considered lying if it helped Heidi’s cause, but shook her head. “No. Not really. You could be lying after all.” I have been. “You could have left it with your CIA badge back in the room along with the keys to your rocket car.” Wouldn’t that be fun if it were true?

Finn’s lips quirked in a half smile. “Then why stay?”

No two truths were created equal. “Because I like you.”

“You had to say something sweet.” He shifted and pulled his wallet open to show his badge. Another flip revealed his identification. “I didn’t want to pull this out. We’re in Vegas, after all. The waitress could be mobbed up.”

Pepper felt her eyes go wide. That hadn’t occurred to her. “Really?” The mob didn’t really reach into the casino as far as she knew—not when security was hostile and possessed very sharp teeth.

Finn chuckled. “I think we’re safe.” His amusement took her breath away.

“Are we?” Because she was beginning to have her doubts.