Owning Vegas

My mother taught me one valuable lesson that I’ve used to get to where I am today. And where am I? Las Vegas. Who am I? Well, that depends on who you are. To some, I’m the king. The judge, juror, and executioner. To others, I’m just another rich asshole who owns a few casinos. But I own more than that. I own the strip and the streets surrounding it. I own this city, and it’ll have to be wrenched from my cold, dead hands before I hand it over to anyone else.

Blood. Pain. Tears. Despair. Hate. All words I associate with those around me. But it’s true what they say. You can’t choose your family. And mine? Well, I don’t think anyone would choose them. I’m the daughter of a notorious Don. A daughter who is nothing more than a piece of meat to be used as a bargaining chip. Which is exactly what my father has done. I can either go along with his plan to marry me off to a stranger. Or I can refuse and pay for it with my life. Love. I always thought that one was made up. A fairy tale that had no place in the real world.

Lailani Out of all the jobs I’ve had over the years, this has to be the most mundane. It requires me to be someone completely different. A meek, quiet girl working to put herself through college. I really do deserve an Oscar. It’s easy money, though. And honestly, it almost feels like a vacation compared to the assignments I’m used to taking on. I’ve even managed to score myself a quick fling with a hot-as-sin bad boy. The problem is, he’s fallen for the act and has no idea who I really am.