Sucker Bet (Vegas Vampires #4)(51)
Author: Erin McCarthy

That was a rather priceless look on Roberto’s face. "What? Explain yourself, Gwenna."

So Gwenna did. She told Roberto about Isabel. About her life. Her death. What she had sounded like, looked like, acted like.

"I wish we’d had photography in those days. I would give anything to have a picture of her," she said, after she’d covered the basics, and was waiting for Roberto to say something. Yell at her. Condemn her. Make her cry.

His face was stricken. And he did something she could never have expected. His voice wobbled and said, "At least you know what she looked like at all. You took even that from me."

"I didn’t know where to find you."

"But you could have told me later."

"Yes, I could have." Gwenna hugged her arms to herself. "So we’re both flawed."

"And this is good-bye."

"What?" She looked at him in confusion.

"Good-bye, Gwenna. I need you to leave."

Roberto wasn’t looking at her. And she realized that this was it. He had made the decision to stop pursuing her.

Immense relief washed over her. There was a sadness, too, for all they had shared, and all the mistakes they had made. But mostly, she felt empowered with knowing that she had told the truth, stood up to Roberto in essence by not fearing his reaction, and had ultimately won her freedom.

"Good-bye," she said, reaching out and touching his arm.

Then she left the Venetian and went to find Kelsey Columbia.

Gwenna rang Kelsey on her cell phone as she went down to the parking garage to collect the car she’d borrowed from Ethan. She needed to warn Kelsey to stay away from Ringo. If Roberto hadn’t ordered hits on the slayer members, then someone did. Or Ringo had acted alone.

But somehow Gwenna thought Ringo didn’t have convictions or passions or a plan. He merely acted in the interest of making money, to buy his drugs. Either way, Gwenna wanted to make sure Kelsey didn’t renew any contact with him. He was potentially a very dangerous man.

"Hello?" Kelsey answered on the fourth ring.

"Kelsey, it’s Gwenna."

"Hey, Gwen, what’s up?"

"Listen, are you alone? Or are you with that David Foster guy still?" Alexis had told her Kelsey had gone home with the bass player from The Impalers. Gwenna had a vague memory of a charming smile when he’d seen them leap up onstage, but they hadn’t been formally introduced.

"Why would I be with Davey?" Kelsey sounded genuinely puzzled. "I’m at home with Ringo."

"What?" Gwenna dropped the car keys as she tried to unlock the doors. "Why? You left him."

"We’re back together."

"But… he tried to prostitute you for drugs. You left and you were going to play tambourine for The Impalers." Shit. Ringo was probably sitting in the room right behind Kelsey. How on earth could she warn her the man was a murderer with him listening to every word Kelsey spoke?

"Oh, that wasn’t going to pan out. Davey only said yes to get in my pants."

It continued to amaze Gwenna that Kelsey was almost always actually paying attention. She looked and sounded ditzy, but she was usually spot on about people. "Can I meet you somewhere? I need to chat with you."

"Right now?" Kelsey sounded doubtful. "We’re kind of making up here, Gwen. I’d like to hang out with Ringo if you don’t mind."

"It’s really, really, really important. It will only take ten minutes, I promise. Meet me at the fountain in the lobby of the Ava in fifteen minutes, okay?"

"Alright." Kelsey still sounded skeptical.

"I need sexual advice," Gwenna lied, feeling a little desperate. "I don’t think I’m making Nate happy."

"Oooohhh. Okay, sweetie, I’ll be there. I have a book and a DVD I’ll bring for you."

"Brilliant." Gwenna only hoped it wasn’t a home recording.

Nate was debating going back to his place and passing out when he recognized a familiar face behind the yellow tape. Wonderful. Just what he needed to complete his day from hell— Gwenna’s ex-husband arguing with the officer guarding the area. Yeah, he needed this guy around like a f**king hole in his head.

Still feeling less than one hundred percent, Nate went over and eyed Donatelli. "What do you need, Donatelli?"

The man’s eyes widened and he let out a snort. "I should have known. Of course Gwenna wouldn’t let it alone. She saved your sorry ass, didn’t she?"

"Saved me from what?" Nate waved the officer off.

"Death. Or did the bullet miss?"

"What are you talking about?" Not in the mood to play head games, Nate started to move away, though he did think it was odd that Donatelli would mention getting shot after Nate’s strange dream. "You need to stay away from this crime scene or I’ll get a lot of enjoyment from throwing you out of this hotel."

"I heard you need an ID on the victim. I believe I can be of assistance."

"Oh, yeah?" Nate eyeballed him. "Who told you that?"

"Ethan Carrick. One of his security men overheard your team mention Gregor Chechikov… I have known Gregor for a number of years. I’m sure I could tell you conclusively if the victim is Gregor or not."

Interesting that Ethan Carrick had communicated that information to Donatelli after he had sworn he did not know the victim by sight or by name. It made Nate question the integrity of Gwenna’s brother, too, and wonder just how he had earned all his giant piles of money. He had no doubt that Donatelli knew Chechikov. Nate was guessing they both had a lot of mutual acquaintances in the Mafia. What was interesting was that Donatelli would seek him out and confirm the relationship when it wasn’t necessary.

"Fine. Come on over and take a quick look." He was curious what kind of reaction Donatelli would have, because he was fairly certain the victim was Gregor Chechikov based on his passport picture tucked into his jacket.

"How did he die, by the way?"

"I’m not at liberty to say."

Donatelli followed him. "Has anyone contacted his wife?"

"No. Any idea who his wife might be? We haven’t found a next of kin yet."

"Her name is Sasha Chechikov. She’s very young, early twenties. Very beautiful. I’m sure she’ll be quite devastated to learn she’s a widow." This was clearly sarcasm given the smirk on Donatelli’s face.

"Does she live in Vegas?"

"She and Gregor have been here for the last six months, though I don’t believe Gregor intended the move to be permanent. It was just a temporary move for business reasons. They’ve been living at the Bellagio."