The cameras came out of nowhere.
“Deacon! Cole! What is the big announcement for the conference?”
“What do you plan to tell the shareholders tomorrow?”
“Who is your friend?”
Abby’s head whipped in one direction and then another as the reporters threw out questions in the lobby of the Rapture Resort. She held up a hand to protect her eyes from the constant flashes.
Deacon stepped in front of her, shielding her from the barrage.
Cole’s hand slipped in hers as he whispered in her ear, “We’ve got you. Just keep walking and we’ll be in the penthouse in just a minute. They’re just curious.”
She plastered a smile on her face and walked, feeling steady with his hand in hers and Deacon keeping her protected from the mob of reporters.
“What surprises do you have?”
“Any big concerts this year?”
The reporters followed them to the gold elevators. Deacon grinned. “You’ll just have to see tomorrow. Thanks for coming out. We have big news for you tomorrow.”
He waved as the doors closed.
“Oh my God.” Abby felt the breath she had been holding escape.
“You ok?” Cole asked.
She nodded. “I had no idea it was going to be like this. Do you deal with this all the time?”
Deacon chuckled. “When we are together or have press events. We seem to have a way of drawing a crowd.”
She realized Cole was still holding her hand. She didn’t let it go.
The doors retracted and deposited them in the penthouse suite of the Rapture.
Abby’s jaw dropped. She’d never seen anything like it in her life.
Deacon walked to the bar. “I think our first day in Vegas calls for a celebration.” He poured a round of drinks and handed one to Abby and then Cole.
“What should we toast to?” Cole asked, holding his glass in the air.
Abby felt the heat of their stares fall on her. She was at a loss for words. They had a way of making that happen. Being around them lately made her feel like she had so much to learn about herself.
“To a mutually successful weekend.” Deacon winked.
Cole laughed. “In every way.”
Abby knew she was blushing. “Yes. To your happy shareholders. And to as many donations as we can get for the foundation.”
She sipped the vodka before choking. It was straight. She stared at Deacon. “You didn’t add a mixer?”
“It’s Vegas, baby. We drink the most expensive liquor there is. I’m not going to ruin it with watered down soda.”
The elevator chimed behind them. The valet entered the suite with two brass carts full of luggage. Cole handed him a hundred and sent him back to the lobby.
“You’re a generous tipper,” Abby complimented him.
“I’m generous in a lot of ways.”