“I like it,” he says, winking. “I gotta go to work.” He motions toward the field with his head and that’s when I make the mistake of looking. His teammates are standing there, gawking at us, with a few of them trying to hide their laughter behind their hands. If they had their jerseys on, I’d make a note of who they were so I could be sure to mention any screw-ups they had during the game. Luckily for them, I’m not a Bears fan and I don’t have their roster memorized.
I try not to watch as Kyle runs back toward the rest of the team, and when he looks at me over his shoulder, I can feel my cheeks turning red. Of course, it could be because the wind is blowing and it’s cold despite the sun being out or it’s because I like that he’s taken an interest in me.
And I really like that he’s taken an interest in me.
While Kyle’s car is small, he’s leaning toward me, listening to everything I have to say. We haven’t even left the parking lot yet, and his hand has moved closer and every few seconds I can feel his finger brush against my knuckles.
“I’m kicking myself for not throwing the ball at you until today.”
I want to roast him for admitting that he was trying to hit me, but I let it go. “Today was your only opportunity. I was on an assignment. This was my first Bears game.”
“And we lost.”
I shrug and keep my eyes on him as he inches us forward.
“What are you in the mood for?” he asks as he brings his car to a stop to let traffic go by, turning his head left, then right and when he looks at me, he winks.
“Someplace quiet, where we can talk.”
Kyle smiles before pulling out onto the road. I barely recognize the sound of a truck horn blaring and tires screeching before I look out my window and see the word MAC heading straight toward me. As the grill of the truck smashes into my side of the car, I raise my hand to protect my face from the flying glass and I wonder if this was what my father did all those years ago when he met the eighteen-wheeler that took his life.
Lights flash, like an eternal disco, lighting up the night sky. Nobody visiting keeps time in Las Vegas, the true city that never sleeps. Faces race by slowly, my heightened vision enabling me to make out every feature, from a crooked nose to fake eyelashes. Tourists from all over the world flock to the desert. Some to vacation in the sun, some hoping for their big break, others desperate for a fresh start. Everyone needs a change of pace or something different every now and again, even myself.
The humidity from the building, the people, and the general metropolis Las Vegas has become, traps the heat on the Strip. I prefer the area just outside of the city, where the desert is cooler, where the sun retreats behind the mountains in the distance, and the crisp air is free of the city pollution. Each night, as the sun begins to tuck itself into bed, the pink reflection left on the mountainside is meditative. I try to catch the sunset every evening, as it has brought a calm and peaceful appreciation for my surroundings. When you’ve lived as long as I have, finding moments of serenity are a rare gift.
My impatience grows as I continue to wait for Melody with whom I had an appointment twenty minutes ago. Humans are always late and full of selfish excuses for it. When she arrives, her face is flushed, and her chest is heaving slightly as she catches her breath.
“Roman. I am so sorry I’m late.”
“I was beginning to wonder if you changed your mind about working with me.” She hasn’t, I can tell by the racing of her heart. She’s nervous, not because of what I am, but out of the fear that I’ll dismiss her. She knows a big commission when she sees one. To me from the moment we met was evident, and if I didn’t have more specific standards in consorts, I might have taken her up on her advances, as she was easy prey.
“You know you’re my favorite client.” Her head tilts to the left, showing me her jugular. My tongue darts out, passing over my razor-sharp teeth. Melody doesn’t wear a cross, meaning she’d be perfectly comfortable if I were to compel her, but I refrain. Not because I’m in public, but more so because I’m trying to keep business away from pleasure. However, allowing Melody to think she has a chance is no exception. Pleasure always seems to win out in the end.
Over the years, the ability to pick up and play off of human weaknesses has become second nature. “Yes, well, then let’s get down to business, shall we?” The casino property that I want to purchase has just gone on the market. The current owners had no idea what they were getting into when they bought it. Renovations and upkeep to accommodate millions of people running through the doors of casinos require significant work and operational management. It’s not as simple as putting your name on the deed and collecting the cash that rolls in.
“Of course. Again, I’m so sorry I’m late.” She reaches into her bag and pulls out a large blue folder with her company’s logo on the front, and hands it to me. “Here is the prospectus for the property. A full view of everything top to bottom. Would you like to look at them over a drink?” She smiles, with a hopeful look in her eyes.
“I believe you already know I don’t drink.” I smirk at her, acknowledging her proposition. I had to give her an A for effort. She didn’t lay it on too thick but made her intentions known nonetheless.
“That’s right, I almost forgot.” She grins, shrugging her shoulders.
“Let’s walk around the place again so that I can be sure I know what I need to before filing the formal papers.” I tuck the folder under my arm, not reviewing it. I’ve already seen the blueprints of the property; in fact, I have them memorized. I know exactly what I’m getting into. However, achieving a certain level of comfort with the people I have to do business with is of the utmost importance. The only questions I have remaining are ensuring I file the necessary paperwork with the municipality and the gaming commission.
We walk silently around the exterior of the building before going inside to talk. Melody picks at the skin on her thumb nervously, waiting for me to speak once we sit down at a bar table inside the casino.
“Are you nervous around me, Melody?” I ask sardonically.
Dropping her hands to her lap, she shakes her head. “No, Roman. Not at all. I mean I’ve never done business with a vampire before, but it’s no big deal. Just like doing business with anyone else. I think you are all great.” She rambles.
“You can relax Melody. You do know that we don’t go around biting people whenever we want. That is unless we’re invited of course,” I reply smoothly. I’m flirting back, and while I have no interest in feeding off her, or fucking her for that matter, it’s a behavior that is instinctive. Vampires by nature are virile. It’s a glorious affliction to be attractive to the opposite sex and to have the ability to pick and choose, which wasn’t always the case. For many years we hid, unable to walk among the humans as we do now. They hunted us, killing off the population because of who we are.
“Oh, I know.” She grins, shifting in her seat. “My friend says you only bite people who want to be bitten.”
“Your friend is correct.” My eyes shift, watching her turn he
r engagement ring around her finger until I force myself to focus on the issue at hand, buying the casino. “So, Melody, I’m in. I want you to broker this deal. I’d like to expedite this process though as quickly as possible. I have plans to renovate immediately, and subsequently, I have plans to construct an additional unrelated building with the net gains from this property. So, the contract needs to include not only this casino but the empty lot that we discussed outside of downtown as well. Can you handle this?”
“Of course I can. Have you filed the necessary permits with the gaming commission or the township?”