“When Bran comes to Vegas, he always has a few drinks.”
“N-o. Wa-y.” She pronounced each of the words with two syllables. “Bran doesn’t drink alcohol.”
“I guess you didn’t notice he had a piece of pie at lunch.”
“Jiminy Cricket!” She exclaimed so loud the lady in front of her turned her head to look. “You’re right. Why would he do that? He’s so careful with everything he puts in his body.”
“It was always his way of saying what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”
“Can’t believe Bran gets drunk.”
“Not drunk,” Jarrett clarified. “Not Bran. He never loses control. His limit is two drinks. Any more than that, and he’d probably be dancing on the tables. He’s got low tolerance, that’s for sure.”
“So what if Branson has a drink or two? What’s the big deal?”
“A couple of drinks, and he’ll be completely relaxed. You won’t have to worry about a panic attack.”
“I’ll believe it when I see it.” Steph gave him her best, you’re-lying-through-your-teeth glare. “I don’t see him purposefully using alcohol to relax. He could’ve taken a prescription anti-anxiety med, and he refused. He doesn’t like drugs of any kind. Says they don’t like him, either.”
As Jarrett chuckled at her comment, Cole dropped into the seat on her other side. “Hey. I’ve come to plead for your forgiveness.”
“What did you do?” Steph whipped around, suddenly realizing her boss hadn’t taken his seat yet. “Where’s Branson? Have you done something to him?”
“Hold on, little lady,” Cole drawled in an exaggerated Texas accent. “Bran’s fine. He’s waiting for Carina to come out of the ladies’ room.”
She sagged in her seat. “Okay. Then what are you apologizing for?”
“Not what, but who. I’m apologizing for Finn.”
“If Finn wants forgiveness, why isn’t he asking for it, himself?”
Jarrett chuckled. “Finn’s a coward. He’s making Cole do his dirty work.”
“That’s true. He’s afraid of you,” Cole agreed, “because you threatened to tear him to little pieces and feed him to the dogs.” His grin was contagious, and Stephanie fought to remain stern.
“I meant what I said, but my threat was tied to whether Finn and you guys push Branson into a full-blown panic attack. My job is to protect my boss. If that means I have to turn someone into dog food, that’s what I’ll do.” She bobbed her chin to punctuate her words, hoping the matter was settled.
“Your commitment runs a bit beyond your job description. You’re so passionate… it’s almost as if you have feelings for him.” Cole lowered his voice as Bran and Carina made their way down the row of seats. “Wouldn’t you say?”
“No, I would not,” she spewed between her gritted teeth as her cheeks grew red hot.
“Whatever.” He waggled his eyebrows, still sporting that irritating grin. “Finn says he’s sorry he accused you of spying.”
Right on cue, Finn appeared at the far end of the row, wearing a sad puppy face, hands folded together in supplication under his chin. Stephanie covered her smile with her hand, and turned her head. “Fine,” she mumbled from the side of her mouth. “Tell Finn he’s forgiven, for now. But he’s on probation, and so are the two of you. One wrong move and…” She stretched her mouth and used her finger to mime slicing her neck, sending Cole and Jarrett into fits of laughter that had the surrounding audience members turning their heads.
Jarrett was the first to control his mirth. “Bran will be fine. We’re on the same side, you know. We all want what’s best for him.”
“Okay.” Her tension melted as she realized, for all their teasing, the guys truly cared about Bran. Surely they wouldn’t push him so far that he got hurt.
“And sometimes,” Cole leaned in to whisper, “we know what’s best for him, better than he does.”
The lights dimmed and the music began to play before Stephanie got a chance to ask him to explain that cryptic statement.
CHAPTER 9
Branson tapped the device in his ear. He hadn’t heard a peep out of Steph since sometime during lunch. Either it quit working, or she’d turned it off. Whatever the reason, he was irritated. Not that he needed her voice to prevent a panic attack. Truth be told, his anxiety had faded as the day progressed.
He enjoyed the show more than he expected, and was laughing and joking with his buddies as they returned to the limousine. Everyone seemed surprised when Bran suggested stopping at the Bellagio so Carina could watch the famous fountains.
As Bran leaned on the railing, listening to the classical music that accompanied the beginning of the water show, Finn edged beside him. “Stephanie seems captivated by the fountains.”
“Ah. Glad she likes it.” Bran kept his expression neutral, though Steph had been his major motivation for suggesting the show. “I assume Carina’s enjoying herself?”
“Ha! You can’t fool me, Bran. You could care less whether Carina likes it or not. However, I believe you can congratulate yourself for the rapturous expression on Stephanie’s face.”
“Humph,” he grunted, wishing he could see her face for himself. He’d read books describing rapture. Were her lips parted? Were her eyes glazed? Were her pupils dilated?
“I’m thinking you could find other ways to make her look rapturous, and it might be a lot more fun for both of you.”
As Finn let out a hearty chuckle, Bran swung his fist toward his stomach, but only caught the edge of his shirt. His missed punch only prodded Finn to laugh harder. Bran would find a way to get even, eventually. He smiled, remembering the practical jokes he and his buddies had exchanged over the years. Feeling comfortable and relaxed, he considered his friends might’ve been right about the ill effects of shutting himself off from the world.
Bran was even beginning to look forward to the casino event, though he didn’t relish the head-splitting battery of sounds that came with it. He’d tried ear plugs in the past, but then he was totally out of any conversations that took place inside the casino. Hopefully, Stephanie’s microphone trick would be the answer to that dilemma, especially if she stuck close and repeated the bits of dialogue that were drowned out by the commotion.
Though Bran had thought to blow his tournament money quickly and escape upstairs to his suite, a persistent inner voice now enticed him to stay and compete until the bitter end. And part of him wanted Stephanie to see him win.
