Pretty When They Collide (Pretty When She Dies 0.5)(2)

A pack of weary travelers wandered past them on their way to the check-in desk. The Stratosphere was on the far end of the strip, away from the newer, flashier casinos, but it was still a big draw with its gleaming white tower and observation deck. There was a no-man’s land between the older casino and the newer ones. Construction sites lined the boulevard and sported huge signs announcing new casinos with even more exciting attractions. Cassandra suspected that Leonard had deliberately picked the casino with the lower priced hotel rooms that would draw single young women of a certain economic status while providing a great dumping ground for their bodies just a short distance away.

Leonard looped one arm around her neck, dragging her against him. She could feel his power pushing on her mind, trying to force impressions of a hard, muscled body into her thoughts so she wouldn’t feel his doughy flesh and skinny frame. She pretended it worked, staring up at him rapturously. It was difficult to walk with his arm holding her against him, forcing her off balance, but she managed to keep from tripping in her red high heels with their shiny silver stilettos.

“I’m so glad I found you, Britney. I really thought I’d have a boring time in Vegas waiting for my flight out tomorrow night. But when I saw you at the bar, I just knew you were special.”

The vampire pushed lustful thoughts at her, trying to arouse her. Instead, he was making her a bit sick to her stomach. Everything about him from his nature to his voice was making her want to bash his face with her fists. Even his fake name, Asher, sounded like some terrible name from a paranormal romance novel. Her ex-girlfriend had always read the sorts of books with covers of the main character’s tramp stamp in clear view as she struck a pose in a leather outfit that would make Catwoman blush. Of course, her ex had also teased Cassandra greatly about her resembling the heroines in those novels. Cassandra had been both annoyed and slightly amused. She had never even told her ex about her true nature, or her side job. That her ex could see her as a kick ass supernatural heroine was somewhat of a compliment, though unnerving. Cassandra worked hard to look anything other than what she truly was when dealing with the monsters.

It was a very long walk to the elevators. Teetering on her high heels, Cassandra was relieved that Leonard’s guards strode in front of them, clearing a path through the throng of revelers. A group of young women stared openly at Leonard, trying to ascertain if he was really the celebrity they suspected him to be. His disguise was a good indication that Leonard was not that clever in the end. It drew far too much attention. From the way the young women were behaving, it was clear that they would have made perfect victims for the vampire. Cassandra liked to think she was saving them from a terrible fate.

The banks of elevators had a horde of people gathered in front of them, clutching drinks or dragging luggage. The elevators only led up to certain blocks of floors, and Leonard’s guards wedged their way through the throng, managing to open a space before one of the elevators designated for the floor where Leonard’s suite was located. The two men looked remarkably alike with their shaved heads and expensive suits, though one was Hispanic and the other black. They had the same meaty face, square shoulders, and barrel chests.

“Asher, why do you have guards? Are you famous?” Cassandra asked, her fingers dancing over the collar of his blue silk shirt.

“I’m not famous. I just look like my famous cousin,” he lied boldly. “The guards are for my business. I’m important in my field of work. I deal in industry secrets.”

“Ooooh,” Cassandra said, exaggerating the word.

“I’m in computers,” Leonard continued to lie.

“Wow. Like that Apple guy?”

“Exactly.” Leonard smacked her ass playfully. “Just like him.”

Cassandra made a mental note of all the things she would like to do to Leonard when they were alone. None of which were particularly nice.

The elevator dinged open and they had to wait for the people packed inside to shuffle out. Leonard quickly steered her inside and the guards blocked the doors immediately. When a few tourists tried to push their way past the big men, they were shoved out. The doors closed and the elevator started its long climb. Leonard took advantage of the ride, nuzzling her neck, nipping her ear, and running his hands over her body. Cassandra endured it, giggled, and pretended to enjoy it.

Two years of modeling in Paris when she was a teenager had taught her just how lecherous men in positions of power could be and how they sometimes regarded beautiful women to be a perk of their status. Leonard was definitely one of those types. It had only taken her a few minutes to draw his attention and for him to assume she was his for the night.

When the doors opened, Cassandra giggled and playfully pushed him away. The faces of the cluster of people gathered in the corridor depicted a gamut of expressions from disgusted to intrigued. Leonard guided Cassandra past them, preening proudly beneath his glamour. Cassandra had to fight not to roll her eyes.

“Do you want to know something funny? I’m just staying here one day, so I didn’t get one of the bigger suites, but I did get the Romance Suite. Isn’t that perfect? It has a huge garden tub,” Leonard said, guiding her along the long corridor.

“Oh, wow! I love those! It’s like a little swimming pool!” Cassandra wondered if she could sound any dumber and decided to give it a whirl. “But why do they call it a garden tub if it doesn’t even have a garden? It just doesn’t make sense!”