He groaned as we stepped up to the table. “I bet you are, baby girl. Damn … I bet you are.”

I smiled up at him and waited for him to place his bet, but he didn’t. “Why aren’t you placing a bet?” I whispered.

He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me closer to him. “I’m waiting to become the shooter.” He kissed the top of my head. I nodded as if I knew what that meant—I had no idea.

The cocktail waitress came over and we both ordered drinks. Finally, Derrick placed a bet on the pass line. I couldn’t tell how much, but the table had a minimum of twenty dollars per bet. He was passed the dice and then he reached out for me to blow on them. I leaned forward and blew.

When I looked up, all eyes were on me and I smiled, wondering if they thought I was his girlfriend or his mistress—I guess I kinda was both. When I continued to scan the table, my gaze fell on familiar brown ones. I tilted my head in question and she waved.

“What are you doing here?” I mouthed. She didn’t say anything as she started to walk toward me.

Derrick turned to me and said, “Our number is eight.”

“What does that mean?”

“We rolled an eight. We can’t roll an eight or our turn is over.”

“How do we win money?”

He was already reaching to place chips down on the ten. “We have to roll a ten now, Andi with an I.” He held up his hand with the dice and I blew. He rolled a three.

I frowned. “Aw, I’m sorry.”

“It’s not an eight.” He laughed.

“We keep going?”

He nodded and placed more chips on the two on the green felt table and I looked over at the girl from the strip club that told me about Mr. Martinez. She was standing next to me, waiting for me to acknowledge her, but Derrick was in the middle of betting. He reached out again with the dice for me to blow on and I did. He tossed them on the table.

“Yes!” I cheered as I counted the two die; he’d rolled snake eyes. He hugged me then grabbed his winnings and the dice. “More?” I asked.

“We go until we roll an eight.” He chuckled.

“Oh,” I stammered and turned quickly to the chick next to me. “What are you doing here?” I whispered again.

“I saw you over here and wanted to come say hi.”

“I’m working.”

“I know.”

Derrick turned to me and I smiled up and him and blew. I wasn’t sure which number he placed a bet on; I just hoped he won.

“Let’s talk after your date is over,” she continued.

I wanted to tell her to fuck off because I wanted to go straight home to Paul, but I was here to do a job both for S&R and the FBI. I nodded. “Yeah. I’ll meet you at the valet at midnight.”

Cheers erupted around the table. Derrick turned and we hugged. He must have won. When he turned to grab the dice, the girl was gone.

“Pick a number, baby girl,” Derrick offered, holding chips out to place a bet.

I looked at the table, leaned closer and then back to him. “Five.”

“If I roll a five, you have to kiss me.”

I smiled. “Okay.” I blew on the dice again and sure enough he threw a five. Without hesitation, I stood and wrapped my arms around his neck, planting my lips on his. It was nothing like kissing Paul. I felt nothing. There were no butterflies in my stomach, no drip in my panties, nothing.

I blew on the dice again and he threw an eight, the crowd groaned and he drew me to him.

“What does that mean again?”

“We lost and my turn is over.”

“Aw man.”

“I won a grand, though,” he beamed, riffling his chips.

“So I am your lucky charm?”

He pulled me to him and kissed me again. “Yeah, you sure are.”

We stayed at the table while he placed bets on other shooters until he was the shooter a few more times. Twice he won on the come out roll. I was starting to believe I was really his lucky charm because he was racking in the dough.

The date was coming to an end and I was walking him toward the elevators where I was going to say goodbye.

“Come up to my room with me, Andi with an I.” His arms wrapped around my waist, his body flush with mine as he leaned into me and against the waiting elevator wall.

“Sweetie, you know I can’t do that.”

“I’ll pay extra,” he whispered into my ear.

“Let’s not ruin a good thing.”

He pulled his head back and stared into my eyes. “What do you mean?”

“You just won a lot of money. Go call your wife.”

“Right. I paid for a hooker and I can’t even get laid. Just like at home.”

“Derrick, I’m not a hooker. There’s a difference.”

He jabbed his finger repeatedly for the elevator. “Just go.”

“I’m sorry.”

My heart broke a little as I walked away and he got into the elevator. I turned slightly and saw his head hung low as the doors closed. I wanted to run back and hug him. Even though he was a client, I’d had a really good time with him. I had no interest in him romantically, but I could tell he was a good guy. I’d thought for sure he’d hired me because he slept around on his wife, not because his wife wasn’t sleeping with him at home.

Like his hidden tattoo, you never knew what people were hiding.

When I made it out to valet, it had slipped my mind that Martinez’s girl would be waiting for me, but sure enough she was. She was sitting on a bench, smoking a cigarette and staring at her cell phone as I approached her.

I slid in beside her. “I didn’t think you’d come,” she remarked blowing smoke above our heads.

“Had to come get my car.”

“Where did you want to go to talk?”

“We can talk right here,” I suggested.

“Suit yourself. Are you enjoying your time here, honey?”

“It’s Vegas. How could you not?” I gave a nervous laugh.

She laughed, too. “You still haven’t seen the half of it. You’re going to be a fun cherry to pop. Let’s not beat around the bush here …”

“Andi. And you are?”

“Jasmine.” She reached out her hand and we shook like we were having a business meeting. Maybe we were. “Listen, Andi, what if I told you I could triple what you make on one of your pathetic, boring dates?”

I laughed, my eyebrows scrunching. “Who said my dates are boring? I just had a great time at the craps table.”

“Oh come on, Andi. I know girls like you. Every girl wants a little more … fun. Besides, you’re missing the bigger picture here. I’m talking about a very comfortable income, plus some extracurricular activities. Listen, before you say anything,” she continued, “I’ve spoken with my boss about you. Someone with your … innocence could be beneficial.” Her gaze roamed my bare legs and I felt violated. “Here’s my card. When you’re ready for a little more excitement, you know how to reach me.”

I reached for her card and our fingers brushed. Hers lingered, and I wanted to pull mine away, but didn’t. I kept them there as long as she wanted because I was playing the part of Andi, not Joss.

“How do you know I’m innocent?” I asked, biting my lip.

Her free hand reached down and rested on my bare thigh. “Honey, I’ve been in this business long enough. I know them when I see them.”

“How many other girls are there?”

“There’s enough, but we always want more. Especially ones like you.” She stood. “Think about it, Andi. You have my card.”

“Wait! I want to meet the others so I can think about it more.” I didn’t have time to think about it. This was it. I needed to get in with Jasmine, meet more girls, find out who Martinez was. There was a reason Leah and Nina had told me to stay away, and if my hunch was right, it was the reason I came to Vegas.

“I knew you’d be perfect. Meet us at PT’s on E. Tropicana. Wednesday night at ten.” With that, she left.

I stood and handed the valet attendant my claim ticket. I needed this lead to work or I’d be back to square one.