“An old college friend I ran into today.”
“You haven’t seen her since college and you’re bringing her home to meet the folks? That doesn’t sound like you,” Adam surmised.
“It’s not like that. It’s business,” Linc replied.
On the other line Trent frowned. “Explain.”
“She owes me a favor and I’m collecting by using her as a shield between Mom and all the eligible ladies she’ll have lined up for me.”
Adam chuckled. “Good thinking.”
“Whew, I sure am glad you’re the oldest.”
Linc frowned at Trent’s words. “And why is that?”
“Because you’re the first one she wants to marry off. Which leaves Adam and I more time to prowl the herd.”
“I am not getting married. This is just a buffer for the week. Next week I’ll be prowling right beside the two of you.”
So she’d accepted this ridiculous arrangement to keep her sister out of jail. Noelle better be damn grateful to have a sister like her. It had taken years for her to to get over what Lincoln Donovan did to her and now in the span of a half hour she’d been reduced to that brokenhearted college girl all over again.
Except now she was not only older, she was wiser. She would not be succumbing to his charms or his smile or his scent. She was stronger than that. She’d do this so-called job and she’d walk away from him the same way he’d walked away from her.
With credit card in hand she sat back against soft leather seats as Mario, Linc’s personal chauffeur, drove down the the Strip. After Mario had indicated he’d been instructed to take her anywhere she wanted to go, she quickly directed him to the Fashion Show Mall where she did her best window shopping. There were things in the window at Neiman Marcus that she’d had her eye on for a while now.
Lately, all her money went back into the spa or toward Noelle’s college education. Noelle was definitely going to set a record for how long she would draw out a four-year degree program. Jade was no fool—she was sure Noelle was stalling. While she sympathized with Noelle’s fear of responsibility she wasn’t footing the bill beyond this year. Now she felt like a child at Christmas who’d been given the key to Santa’s workshop. Sure, this key came with lots of strings, but she wasn’t going to think about that right now. The car came to a stop and she smiled to herself. Oh, no, she was thoroughly going to enjoy this moment and she’d deal with the rest later.
Three hours later her feet had begun to feel numb, the muscles in her arms strained from the weight of the bags she carried from one store to the next. She was making her way back to the car for her fifth drop off when she figured she’d better call Noelle before she sent the cavalry out to find her.
“Hello?” Noelle answered her cell on the first ring.
“Hey, it’s me.”
“Where are you? I thought you’d be back hours ago. Did you get the money?”
Jade rolled her eyes. She should at least be proud that Noelle had asked about her before the money. “I’m at the mall.”
“That means you got the money!” Noelle said excitedly. “That’s cool. What mall? I’ll meet you there.”
Noelle liked to shop, too. That’s another reason she couldn’t concentrate on school—because she was too busy keeping up with the latest fashions.
“No. Don’t bother. I’m just about done. Look, I’m going away for the week. I need you to take over at the spa.” Jade had been grooming Noelle for an assistant manager position and although Noelle was mostly resistant to the idea she’d caught on fast and Jade trusted she could handle the responsibility for a week. Besides, Kent, her full-time assistant, would be there should any problems arise.
“Where are you going and how come you get to go shopping and I don’t?” Noelle whined.
“Because I’m the one who sold my soul to the devil to save your ungrateful behind.”
“What are you talking about?”
Jade sighed. She really didn’t want to give Noelle too many details. “Nothing. Just take care of the shop for the week and when I come home be prepared to have a plan for your life because I don’t intend to do this for you anymore.”
“Do what?” Noelle screeched. “What are you doing that you have to be secretive about? Did you rob a bank or something?”
“Girl, stop playing. I met with the casino owner like I told you I would and now I have to work for him for a week to clear your debt.”
“Uh-uh, Jade, you are not stripping in some casino.”
Jade almost laughed at that ludicrous statement. “No. I’m not stripping. I’m going to attend some parties with him.”
“Like a call girl?”
“No! Not like a call girl. I’m not having sex with him!” No matter how much his body begs me to. “Parties, dinners, stuff like that for the week and that’s all.”
“Who came up with that idea? I know it wasn’t you. And is he at least good-looking? I’d hate for you to be stuck with a dog for the week on my account.”
“He’s not ugly, Noelle.” Quite the contrary. “Anyway the deal’s been made.”
“Jay, I don’t know. I don’t like how this sounds. I can go to the bank and apply for a loan,” she offered.
“Noelle, you work ten hours a week at the spa. You don’t make nearly enough to pay back five thousand dollars plus interest. At that rate it would take you a lifetime. It’ll be fine. It’s only seven days.” Seven days with the sexiest man in the state of Nevada.
“I’m sorry for getting you into this, Jay.”
Jade softened thinking about her baby sister instead of that man. “I know you are, Noelle. Maybe next time you’ll think more carefully before you do things. I’m not going to be there to bail you out the next time.”
Jade felt bad that Noelle was now crying but didn’t speak. Noelle had gotten away with those crocodile tears for way too long.
“I’ll work at the spa all day, every day until you get back,” Noelle offered.
“Thank you. I’ll call you later tonight when I settle in.”
“Okay. And Jade, what’s this guy’s name? You know, just in case.”
Jade knew she didn’t have to consider a just in case. Linc was not that type of man. But she hated telling Noelle this. “It’s Lincoln Donovan. I gotta go. I’ll call you back.” She disconnected before Noelle could respond.
If anybody else knew the pain and heartache Linc had put her through Noelle did. And thinking of that pain and heartache Jade did something she didn’t often do, but had done once already today. She thought of revenge.
“Where to next, Ms. Jade?”
Mario was a huge man. Linc must have employed every ex-wrestler in the Las Vegas area. But after chatting with Mario amiably on their way to the mall Jade found he was quite likable. He was older, maybe nearing his fifties; only the sprinkle of gray at his temples gave that away. He wore gold rings on both his pinkies and a diamond stud in his left ear. He, Jade decided, was like somebody’s father dressed like a gangster, and she liked him instantly.
With her plan for revenge foremost in her mind she said, “I need some pampering, Mario. I want to visit the best, most lavish spa in Vegas.” Of course, whatever the spa she went to it would only be the next best thing to Happy