Tough Guy: A Hero Club Novel by Jamie Schmidt (the reading list .TXT) 📗

the security cameras that were still operational on this street, I passed him the CD. “Dalton’s missing security tape. My waiter Zeke did it on Leonidas’s orders.”

I told him what Ginny had told me and he sped away to act on the new information. Hopefully, he’d get a warrant out on both Leonidas and Zeke. With my wire conversation and this new evidence, I had a feeling that the Rivs were going to lose a lot of power.

“You’ve got nothing to worry about. The assault charges against you will be dropped and Leonidas and his boys won’t be around to bother you once the district attorney gets ahold of them.”

I hadn’t been concerned about the assault charges. I had a good lawyer. As for Leonidas and the Rivs, well I guess that depended on how good their lawyer was.

“Go get ‘em,” I said and turned away to look at the ruins of my bar again. When Grier had left the area, I closed my eyes. “I did it,” I said, wondering if Uncle Johnny was listening.

Sitting down on a pile of rubble, I poked through the twisted metal hoping to find something that had survived. I wasn’t sure how long I sat there, but it was getting dark. I needed to get my head out of my ass and get a hotel room for the night. My back popped as I stretched. A car skidded to a stop and I immediately tensed for a fight. If they had a gun, I was toast, but if they only had knives, I was looking forward to getting out some aggression.

“Miles,” Jackie said, coming around the car and running over to me.

I met her halfway and hauled her up and out of the wreckage. “Are you out of your mind? I told you it wasn’t safe here. Get in the car.”

Once we were driving away from Dalton’s, I didn’t know whether to yell at her or kiss her.

“Don’t you yell at me about safe,” she said. “You didn’t tell me that you were a target too.”

“Arrogance,” I said. Grabbing her hand, I put it up to my mouth. “I’m glad you didn’t go home.”

“Actually, I did. And then Chance told me what happened, and I came back.”

“Your jet lag must have jet lag,” I said.

“I’m running on energy drinks and sugar. We’re going to have our week together, even if we have to leave the state to do it.”

“I think I can find the time.” I leaned my head back on the headrest, content to let her drive us wherever she wanted to go. I didn’t care as long as I was with her.

“Oh, Miles, your poor club.”

Yeah, I was sorry to see it go too. “If it brings Uncle Johnny’s murderers to justice, it will all have been worth it. I have no idea what the hell I’m going to do now. I’m a little old to be jetting all over Europe to beat people up.”

“You don’t have to think about that now,” she said. “We’re together and that’s all that matters.”

It was a small bright spot that she and I seemed to be on the same page about that. “Jackie, I know we’ve only known each other a week and my life is a complete shitstorm right now, but I’m falling for you.”

She gave a watery chuckle. “That’s good because I’m head over heels for you too.”

“I don’t suppose you still have your reservation at the Wynn?”

“As a matter of fact, I do. I wanted to make sure I’d be able to pay someone to go to my room and pack my things I left behind and mail them to New York for me.”

“I could use a shower and to spend the rest of the night making love to you.”

“That’s the best offer I’ve had all day.” At the next stoplight, she leaned over and kissed me. “However, we have to make a stop first. Have you eaten yet?”

Now that she mentioned it, I was starving and not just for her delicious body. “I could eat.”

“Do you like drag queens?

Jackie Mitchell

Chance was serenading Marilyn Monroe with his rendition of “Don’t Be Cruel” when we walked in. He saw us and did a final Elvis hip pivot for the crowd and waved us over to a booth.

“Miles, how are you holding up?” They did the dude bro hug and we sat down.

“I’m not sure.” Miles slung his arm over me, and I cuddled into him. “But I’m better because she’s here.”

“I can see that.”

The waitress came and we ordered a mountain of food. I made sure to order a pot of coffee. “And keep it coming.” There was no way in hell I was falling asleep before I got the full Miles Carvello treatment in my nice big bed in the Wynn.

“Where’s the rest of the blokes?” Miles asked.

“They’ve gone back home to ‘Straya,” he said. “I’m heading back to California. My sister Adele and my Mom need me.”

“Is there anything I can do?” I asked.

“Nah, it’s a family thing. You know how it is.”

I did. “If you ever need anything, call me.”

“I’ve got your number. I’m not going to lose it. Besides, I think me and your man here might be doing some business.”

Miles looked up from his coffee. “Are you looking to hire a bouncer? I’ve got impeccable references.”

“I’m looking to invest in some Las Vegas property.”

Miles put his cup down.

“I really liked Lisa’s show. Don’t get me wrong. I love strippers.”

Strip-pahs.

I loved his accent.

“But the burlesque seemed so classy. It was sexy, sensual, and alluring. I think a club like that would make a killing where Dalton’s used to be.”

“You want me to rebuild. Again.”

“And this time, you’re not going to do it all by yourself,” I butted in. “You’re going to have Highway and the rest of the Dalton’s crew to help out. And me.”

“You’re going to help all the way from New York?” Miles asked.

“No. I’m moving to Las Vegas. I