A plate of sandwiches he brought looks surrisingly appetizing, too.
He raises his glass. After a sip of Gunness, he looks around and says, “I’ve known this place forever, but I had no idea it had gotten so low. It’s definitely in the ‘fixer-upper’ category now. Doreen at the bar told me it was doing okay alright till a turf war started up, just a few months ago.”
I get the picture. “Drugs?”
Finn raises his eyebrow. “You know it, Liam.”
“Let me guess. The turf war started up, the business went to shit, and somebody encouraged the manager to put in applications for buildings permits.”
“Putting two and two together,” Finn nods. “It looks like a lot of bad prescription drugs were sold out of the back here, just to make matters worse.”
Tegan takes a sip of her Guinness. “So, Jack planned to take the place and launch a club here.”
I know that she’s thinking about what happened to her daddy. I’m thinking she’ll need time to come to terms with it. But I’ve underestimated her again.
“I’m glad I know the truth about what happened to Daddy, at least.” She takes another pull of her Guinness. I believe she’s getting the taste for it. “Looking past the gloom and the run-down state of the place, I think he built something here that could be great.”
She sounds wistful. Surprised, I ask her, “Are you thinking you want to keep it?”
Thoughtful, she says, “I don’t know. Right now, I don’t want to see it demolished for redevelopment. But I’m probably feeling sentimental.”
Squeezing her hand, I tell her, “There’s no rush.”
She smiles. “That’s probably where the most money would be, though. This is an edgy district. I can see a big, shiny club doing well in this location.”
I tell her, “Either way, this place is going to make you a wealthy young woman.”
When Finn gets up to make a call, she puts her hand on mine. “Will you be going back to Vegas now?”
“Do you want me to go?”
“I know you have to go back.”
“I don’t have to do anything, Tegan.”
She looks down at the table, then she peers into my eyes. Searching. “Do you think I’ll make enough money to come and live in Las Vegas?”
“Do you want to live in Vegas?”
She hesitates. “I want to be where you are. I want to be wherever my silverback bear is.”
I tell her, “Well, you don’t need a dime to live there. I’ll take care of you.”
She scoots closer. “You mean it?”
I kiss her. “Of course. I fell in love with you the instant I saw you. One glimpse of you on my phone was all it took. I held back as long as I could because I’m too old for you. And, truth be told, I’m nowhere near good enough for you. You deserve much better.”
She puts her hand onto my cheek. Turns my face to hers. “There’s no better man than my bear. Not for me.”
“Worst of all, I’m too filthy for you.”
“My worry is I’m too filthy for you.”
“You’ve relit my fire, Tegan. You made me young again. I love you so much. I don’t ever want to spend another day without you.”
“I love you, too.”
Epilogue
Tegan
Like everyone, I’ve seen Vegas on screens and in videos all my life. None of it prepared me for the dazzle and glitter, the incredible spectacle that’s everywhere. Glitter and shine and gloss are everywhere. It’s like stepping into a movie.
All day, every member of my new family treats me like a newly arrived queen, but I can’t wait for it to be over.
All I want is to get my silverback bear alone. I need to swallow the length of his hard cock. Cram it all the way down my throat. Roll my wet throat muscles along the thickness of his hot ridges until he pulsates and bursts. I want the thick, salty taste in my mouth and spilling out of my lips. It’s all I can think about, all day long.
Finn brings Ma Connolly to Vegas for the wedding. They’re the nearest thing I have to family in Boston now. Or anywhere else apart from here. I’ll get used to Las Vegas being my home. But I know it will take time.
The ceremony is in a fantastic casino, owned by the family. It’s called Kingpin, after my silverback bear. Gavin stands with Liam as his best man.
He has sons and daughters, and even grandkids—I married a man with grandkids! Last week, I was a miserable orphan, and about to be forced into a horrible marriage. Now I moved into an entire family, right at the top of the tree. The bonus upside of that is, I’ve got babies to play with and spoil!
I have three adult stepsons, and two stepdaughters. All of them older than me. But they are so warm and kind and everyone welcomes me. I can’t wait to get to know them all.