Risk of Chance

Chapter 1

“Night from hell.” Ellen said with a long sigh as she sat at the bar.

Lana looked at the older woman. “What happened?” she asked with a grin as she dried the beer glass in her hand. They were talking at the Las Vegas club, Eye in the Sky, Ellen owned the place but for the last year Lana was running it. It was located right on the strip but it wasn’t a high class place, it was a bar that served all kinds of food and had a reputation for getting a little wild after midnight.

“Vegas, the land of sin and boy am I a sinner. Went out last night of course.” Ellen began. “Met up with Tony and enough said.” She and Tony have been off again on again for months, they lived the wild life together, gambling, drinking, sex.

“You should go home and get some rest, you look like hell.” Lana said as she moved on to another glass.

“It’s morning, it should be against the law to be awake at this time.” Ellen groaned. “But I have to talk to you. This Whitelaw problem is a pain in my ass.” Shane Whitelaw owned the best hotel and casino in Vegas, now he wanted to expand the hotel and add a restaurant. To do that he wanted to knock down Eye in the sky and build there since his hotel was right next to the bar. Ellen couldn’t give up her place for any amount of money; she worked day and night making it the place it was now. “I want you to talk to him.” She said now.

“Me?” Lana questioned. “And say what?”

“Tell him I’m not selling and I don’t care who he knows he can’t buy it out from under me. He’s a charmer, it I was ten years younger I’d be all over him. That doesn’t help when I’m trying to be stern. He won’t let down and since you’re good at being mean I figured you should talk to him.” Ellen explained.

“I’m not mean.”

“Right.” Ellen flatly said. “And how is anger management going?”

Lana groaned. “I quit it, I did the month to court demanded, I’m done with that shit.” She answered. A month and a half ago she got into a fight at the bar with this man trying to force himself on one of the bartenders. The bastard pressed charges when she broke his nose. “I’ll talk to him if you want.”

“I want, now that that’s out of the way how are the girls?” Ellen asked. The girls were her bartenders; she considered them to be her daughters. There were eight of them, Brie, Mira, Nicky, Kasey, Meghan, Kim, Lana and her little sister Vicky. They were tough girls that knew the darkness of Las Vegas, the parts they didn’t glamour on television.

“They’ll be in later today; I’ll let them know you asked about them but won’t be in tonight.” Lana said, she knew by the way Ellen was dragging tonight she wouldn’t do much.

“Thanks babe.” Ellen said as she hopped off the bar stool. “I’m heading home, talk to Whitelaw when you get a chance, he should be in already.” She waved goodbye and left the bar.

Lana finished drying the rest of the glasses then wiped down the counter. Everything else was cleaned up last night. She glanced at the clock; it was just barely ten o’clock. “What the hell.” She threw down the towel and left the bar.

Sand Hotel and Casino was tall, a hundred and something floors she guessed as she stared at it from the outside. Inside guests were already trying their luck at the tables. It took money to be at the Sand, the employees were dressed in a crisp uniform, the guests were casual but oozed money. Lana looked down at her denim mini skirt and black halter top, it was out of place but she didn’t really care. She walked up to the concierge and asked to speak to Shane Whitelaw.

“Do you have an appointment?” The man behind the desk asked.

“No.”

“No one can get in and see Mr. --”

“Listen can you just call him and tell him someone is here to talk about Eye in the Sky next door and what he has planned to do to it. Thanks.” Lana said, she wasn’t even in to talk with him and her temper was already rising.

The man behind the desk did as she asked, after a few nods he said. “Mr. Whitelaw will see you now.”

“See that wasn’t so hard.”

“I’ll show you the way.” He said as he stood from behind the desk and led her to a door that read employees only then signaled one of the other people standing around to watch the desk area. There they took an elevator up a few floors, it was glass so Lana saw as they went higher and everything at the bottom got smaller. “Right this way.” He led her from the elevator to the only office on the floor.

The hall walls were an ocean teal, the floors were hardwood with a perfect shine. The office door was mahogany with a sign that said Shane Whitelaw. The man opened the door. “Sir a Ms….” He looked at her for an answer.

“Just Lana.”

The man seemed to be annoyed with her now, with a suppressed sigh he continued. “A Ms. Lana is here to see you.”

“Thanks James you can go now.” Shane said as he rose from behind his desk and walked up to Lana.

James left the office and shut the door behind him.

“Boy you really got him trained.” Lana said as she crossed her arms and looked at the man standing in front of her. She thought back to what Ellen said, yes he was good looking, tall with a suit that looked made for him, blue eyes, dirty blonde hair and a killer smile. “So you’re the pain in the ass.”

“Nice to meet you too.” Shane said with a grin. “I suppose Ellen told you about me, it looks like you hate me already.”

“I want you to leave the bar alone. There’s tons of space in Vegas you can use to build whatever you want.” Lana pointed out. She couldn’t say if she hated him, she didn’t know him but she hated the fact he was threatening to take away the place that meant the world to her.

“But none like that.” Shane said. “It’s located right next to the hotel, it would be a perfect add on and the structure it perfect for the restaurant I have in mind.” He explained.

“It’s not for sale; you just can’t take everything you want.” Lana countered, she bawled her hands into fists as she had her arms still crossed over her chest; maybe Ellen was wrong she shouldn’t have talked with Shane, maybe she could’ve sent Nicky or Mira, they were good with people.

“Why not? It’s been working for me so far.” Shane said as he locked eyes with her dark brown ones.

“Won’t work this time.”

“If Ellen won’t sale then I can just take it away. The bar is doing well but not great, there are always ways to get what you want.” Shane said with their eyes still locked.

Lana stepped closer to him and whispered. “You won’t win.”

-

Isabelle A.