Read Vegas Vacation for Free Online Page B

rich beyond the dreams of avarice, remember?”
    He didn’t say anything, just gave her that look he’d already perfected that made her feel as if she were six years old.
    She shoved her hands into her pockets. “Then maybe we should go back to my suite. You can watch TV while I do nothing.”
    “Fine.” His tone echoed hers. “Did you want to eat here, first?”
    “If you want.” Tamlyn trudged towards the shops, following the signs.
    They reached the food hall and Martin glanced at her. “Do you want burger or chicken?”
    “Either, not bothered.”
    “Are you going to pout for the rest of the day, Tamlyn?”
    She plonked down at the first table she saw. “It’s what spoiled rich girls do best.” She pulled a twenty from her pocket and offered it to him.
    He rolled his eyes. “Put it away. Don’t move, and I’ll be right back.”
    Tamlyn folded her arms, keeping her gaze on him as he ordered and paid for the food. Why did he get to her so much? She almost rose to help him, but he managed to pick up the tray and carry it over to her with one hand. He put the tray between them. “I got you cheeseburger.”
    “Thank you.” Tamlyn unwrapped it. “So puppy dog eyes won’t work, either?”
    Martin shook his head. “Told you yesterday, I’m here to protect you, and staying in one place too long is not a good idea.”
    Tamlyn took another bite before she glanced across the mall and shook her head. “I don’t believe it. He’s following me. First, he was at the same table in the casino, and now he’s here.”
    Martin looked at her then followed her gaze. “Could be coincidence.”
    “Uh uh. You’re a cop. Do something.”
    “Like what? I can’t arrest him for playing roulette or eating in a burger joint. Or for wearing that suit, no matter how ugly it is.”
    Tamlyn sighed. Her phone rang. She opened her bag and pulled it out. At the same moment, Martin’s phone rang. She half smiled as they answered the phone at the same time. “Hello.”
    “Tammy, it’s Dad.”
    Irritation rose within her. “I said I’d ring tonight. You don’t need to check up on me every few hours.”
    “The hospital rang. Raleigh died an hour ago.”
    The part eaten burger fell from her hand. A gaping hole opened beneath her. Tears pricked her eyes. She glanced up at Martin, seeing the shock she felt echoed in his face.
    He must be getting the same news.
    “Tamlyn, are you there?”
    “Yeah…”
    “It was poison. Whoever killed him is coming after you next—”
    She closed the phone cutting him off. The little she’d eaten rose in her throat, threatening to choke her. Her hands were clammy and cold. “I’ll be back.” She struggled to her feet and ran across to the ladies room.
    Raleigh’s dead, and they’re coming after you echoed in her mind.
    Who were they?
    Why take out her bodyguard?
    What had he or she ever done to anyone?
     
     
     
     

6
     
    Rain pounded the glass as Tamlyn sat curled up on the window sill in the sitting room of her suite, watching the hotel fountains rise and fall. Tears streaked her face as she mourned Raleigh. She’d never given him enough credit, or even the time of day and now it was too late.
    “Tamlyn, are you OK?” Martin’s voice cut through her grief.
    “Raleigh’s been protecting me since I came to live with Dad. Ten years is a long time. May not have liked him much, but he’s always been there. And no one deserves to be murdered, no matter how annoying they are.” She watched him chug back the bottle of water. “There’s a whole stack of bottled water in Raleigh’s...your room. He drank the stuff by the gallon and insisted on bringing a shed load with him. That’s another reason Garth insisted on us taking the private jet. Can’t take liquids on an international commercial flight, or something.”
    Her phone rang again. “What now?” she sighed. “Hello, Dad.”
    “Tammy, Garth and I are on the plane now. I’ll need the second bedroom in your