Preparation for presentation

"I can say whatever I want. I thought we'd already established that."

"Why do I get the feeling you're going to be the one embarrassing me tonight?" Revean rolls his eyes.

I give him a big cheesy grin. "I'm serious, Revean . I don't want to take you to this function tonight. I don't want to introduce you to the darker world of Vegas life. It will be dangerous. You must not separate from me, not even for an instant. If we get separated for any reason, Andrew and Mery will be right behind you."

"What if I decide to run away?"

I continue to hold Revean by the waist. His eyes sparkle with mischief as he speaks.

"I will find you. I'll always find you," I promise him, and I mean it. "Mine." I tap the tip of his nose.

He nods, but I can see he still hesitates. I don't have time to talk about it when Andrew enters the room.

"We have to leave in ten minutes." He looks at Revean , who is not yet dressed. "We're on a strict schedule."

I know. I gesture for her to leave. "Make sure Mery is ready."

"I will. Andrew nods and leaves.

"Well, I think I know what dress Revean should wear, " Carol announces as she steps forward holding up a bright red dress. It's silk, long and has thin shoulder straps. It will be perfect for Revean's body and will match the red tie I'm wearing with my formal suit.

"Put it on," I tell him.

I give Revean privacy as she dresses by pulling me away from her. A few minutes later, she tells me to turn around. As I do, my breath catches. She looks stunning. Better than I ever dreamed. My cock instantly hardens in my pants. It's going to be a long night.

"What do you think?" asks Carol . "Is it the right atmosphere for what you're hoping to demonstrate tonight?".

"Definitely!" I lick my lips. "You've outdone yourself this time."

"Well, the package I had to work with didn't need much help." Carol chuckles. "I'm going to get something to drink, and then we'll come back and tidy up."

Everyone leaves the room except Revean and me.

"I've never worn anything so nice." He looks in the mirror. "It's quite a change from my waitress uniform."

"It's an outfit you'll never have to wear again," I tell her.

She looks over her shoulder at me. Her eyes are heavily made up, which brings out her brown color. "I'm just a doll tonight to show off, aren't I, that's why they made me so pretty?"

"My father is all about status. He wants to be the most powerful man in Las Vegas. In many ways he already is, but your father damaged that reputation. No one knew where you and your mother went after your father died. We managed to keep that a secret. Tonight is about showing our opponents that you've been under our control all along. It's not going to be easy for you. It's going to cause a big commotion when you walk into the room, and everyone's eyes will be on you all night. This is the biggest thing to happen in Las Vegas in a long time, and I'm sure you know how massive things can get in this town."

Revean nods and turns to look at me.

"What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. We're going to shake the foundations of the city tonight. We'd better get going. Andrew will yell at you if we don't."

I can tell he's trying to hide his nerves. It can't be easy.

"There's one thing, first." I pull a hypodermic needle out of my jacket pocket.

"What's that?" asks Revean , furrowing his eyebrows in concern.

"There's a little tracer inside. I have to inject it into you."

He shakes his head.

"Revean ."

"I know. I don't have a choice." He rolls his eyes.

I drop the needle on a nearby table and pull my phone out of my pocket. Then, I open the tracking app, swipe the phone across the back of my hand, and it beeps. I show him the phone.

"No, you don't have a choice. I'll give you the shot, but I want you to know that it's not just you who has it. I do too, as does Andrew , Mery and my father. You could say we're a little security conscious around here. It's purely for safety. Nothing more."

"I know. Maybe when I get a phone, I can put the app on it and track you." Revean laughs.

I snort my response. "Yeah, that's not going to happen!".

"Okay, where does it have to go?" he asks.

"On the back of your hand."

Revean holds out his hand to me and, after putting the cell phone away, I pick up the needle again. I remove the sheath and inject the tracer into his hand.

"Ouch." He answers me softly.

"I'm sorry." I feel really bad for hurting her.

"It's okay. Come on. Let's do it, Mr. Snow . let's send shockwaves through Las Vegas!"

REVEAN

My stomach churns with nerves as we climb the casino stairs and enter the front door. My heels click on the marble floor, and the opulence of the decor does little to calm my nerves. The suited staff greets Eliot and hurries on with their duties. There are people everywhere. There is noise everywhere. Shouts of success come from the richly decorated tables laden with poker chips. Everyone is relaxed and happy.

"Are you okay?" Eliot slaps the palm of his hand on my back.

"Is all this yours?" I respond with a question.

"Yes," he replies.

"It's beautiful." I tilt my head back to look at the crystal flowers on the ceiling. Reds, blues, greens, purples, pinks and yellows. "Wow. I don't want to know how much it cost."

"Quite a bit. It really completes the decor of the hotel, and it's a huge attraction for visitors."

I stop mid-step and take a closer look at the crystal flowers.

"I don't know if I can do it. This place is not for me. I'm used to trailer parks and crappy restaurants. I'm going to embarrass you. This is a bad idea. We have to leave." I start to panic.

Eliot pulls me close to him. "No, you're wrong. You were born for this world. It doesn't matter where you grew up. Forget your past and embrace what you're becoming."

"That's crazy. A few weeks ago, my life was so different." I take a deep breath and look back toward the crystal flowers. "Let's go."

Eliot takes my hand and leads me inside the hotel, into a ballroom filled with candles and white linens. There is noise, excitement, classical music and chatter mingling. But when we enter, everything falls silent and everyone looks our way. Eliot squeezes my hand tightly.

"Remember, stay with me, Mery or Andrew at all times." Eliot repeats his instructions as his father walks towards us with an entourage.

"My son." Eliot's father hugs him warmly, and Eliot reciprocates in a way that tells me it's all an act. "And your beautiful fiancée. Revean , it's wonderful to see you again." Her father leans forward and kisses me on both cheeks. I swallow the smell of stale cigar. Eliot's hand encircles mine again, firm and commanding, and a low growl reverberates in his throat.

"Mr. Snow . Nice to see you again," I reply with a fake smile.

I ignore the comment that I am betrothed to his son. It's not true, but it's clearly the story that tells tonight.

Eliot's father gestures to take my left hand.

"Aren't you wearing the ring?" he asks, looking sternly between Eliot and me.

Eliot frowns and his nostrils flare with anger. He opens his mouth to speak, but I put a hand on his arm to silence him, fearful of what he might say.

"I'm afraid the jewelers didn't return it to me in time, Mr. Snow . I needed it resized. I'm sure Eliot will see that we get our money back for such an inconvenience. But my lovely fiancé still wanted it to sparkle with diamonds tonight."

I pull my hand away from Mr. Snow's grip and point to the diamond choker at my throat. Eliot gave it to me after injecting me with the tracer earlier. I think it was a fair deal, even when he told me it was rented for that night and not to get too excited about keeping it.

Looking around the room at the silent crowd watching us, I add, "I'm sure there are many who would think this claims me for more than a ring."

Eliot's father turns around and claps excitedly.

"Drinks, music. This is a party, and we are celebrating my son's impending wedding to Jackson Smart's only daughter . He's finally back in our Las Vegas family."

Everyone is still silent.

Mr. Snow gestures again for the music to play, and the band begins to play. He walks away from us, strutting away like Luna does when I give her a special treat, like a drop of cream.

"Are you okay?" turning to Eliot , I check on him.

"Thanks." He nods to me. "I didn't expect him to introduce you that way. I'm sorry."

"For what? We are indeed engaged, even if it's not official. We are engaged to be married because that's what has to happen."

"But it has to happen in our own time, and not so my father can demonstrate his power to an assembled crowd."

A waiter steps forward and offers us a glass of champagne. Eliot takes one and drinks it, before replacing the glass and taking another for himself and another for me.

"I think I'll drink it a little slower than you, if you don't mind." I let out a chuckle to lighten the mood.