Jason handed her the drink menu. “And I’d like a gin and tonic.”
“Sounds good. I’ll be right back.”
As soon as she sauntered off, Jason reached over for my hands, his expression grim. “Are you ready for Saturday? We’re down to our last suspect.”
“I know. I can tell you I’m not looking forward to it. I was sure Mark was who we needed.”
He nodded. “So was I, but then after what happened the other night I don’t think he’s our guy. Not after what you told me.”
“Which leaves the one I’m dreading the most, Mr. Handsy.”
His eyes turned dark. “How do you think I feel? I’m the one having to let you go with him even though deep down I want to rip the bastard in half.”
I squeezed his hand. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to let him do anything. I’ll have you close, plus, I’ll have my own kick ass ninja skills. You have yet to see what I can do.”
“Maybe you should show me then,” he insisted with a smirk.
“I think I will. You just won’t know when I’m going to strike.”
He winked. “Don’t threaten me with a good time.”
The waitress came by with our drinks and we ordered our food. I sipped on my wine, my mind reeling. Sooner or later, these fun evenings with him were going to end. “Jason,” I murmured.
“Yeah?”
“Have you thought about what you’re going to do when all of this is over?”
He shook his head. “Not really. You?”
“Probably go back to Maine and help out at the B&B when I’m not working in the lab. I just wanted to make sure we don’t cut off all ties. I know we’ll be thousands of miles away from each other, but I still want to keep in touch. I can’t imagine never talking to you again.”
I was hoping he’d say something to clarify what we were doing, but he didn’t get the chance. The waitress brought our food and set it down, just as we got company. “Well, hello, you two,” Chazz announced, sitting beside me. “I thought I saw you both walk in. At first, I didn’t recognize you,” he said to me.
“Why? Because I’m not dressed like a whore?”
He tilted his head back, bellowing. “That and you actually look like a normal woman without all that shit on your face. You look much sexier like this.”
Jason glared at him. “Do you have a point to all of this, Davies? If not, I’d like you to fuck off. We’re in the middle of something here.”
He lifted his hands in the air. “No need for hostilities. I’m sure if my girl wanted to be fucked by other men, I’d be that way too. Speaking of which, I have a proposition for you,” he stated, facing me.
“Let me guess, you want me to play another round this weekend in hopes that you win?”
“Nope.”
I glanced quickly at Jason and then back to him. “Then what do you propose?”
“I’m a persistent man, Ms. McFadden. When I want something, I get it. Instead of gambling for you, I’d like to just offer you the money myself. But you’re a hard girl to find.”
“It’s all part of the allure. I’m sure you’d agree. So, how much are we talking?”
His eyes gleamed. “A hundred grand for you and twenty for Avery.”
Jason rolled his eyes. “And you think twenty would be enough for me to let her go with you? Have you lost your fucking mind?”
“How much then?” he countered. “Name the price.”
Jason narrowed his gaze. “I want fifty. You give me that and you can have her for the night.”
“Done,” he said happily. “You’ll have your fifty grand when I pick her up Friday night.” He laughed and ran a finger down my bare arm. “I’m looking forward to it.” Jason clutched his steak knife. I had no doubt he’d use it on some part of Chazz’s body if I didn’t get him out. Thankfully, Chazz got up on his own. “Until then. Enjoy your dinner.”
As soon as he left, I breathed a sigh of relief. “What a prick.”
Jason let go of his knife and clenched his hand into a fist. “Whether innocent or guilty, no matter what I do, before I leave Vegas I will fuck him up.”