Daisy's Choice (A Tale of Three Hearts) (61 page)

Then another two hours were spent on her hair, pressing her roots and curling her locks. Her eyelids were smoky under golden earth tones but her hand shook so badly when she applied liner and mascara, she was sucking in deep breaths.

Inside, she knew. This was it. From here there was no turning back for Aiden and her. There would be no more running, no more excuses. She would move on with her life.

She woke Denise, crept past her sisters and mother and hoped in her convertible with the top down driving out to the desert. The drive toward the rising sun was cleansing and perfect to prepare her for what was to come next. Five years ago, she travelled the same road, but in the opposite lane. When she left Vegas with a trunk full of money, she did nothing but drive, and drive, certain of one thing. She’d never return to the city again.

Things had definitely changed.

With the sun in her face now, her sunglasses barely gave her cover. Her gaze turned to the approaching diamond red, white, blue sign that read:
Welcome to Las Vegas
. It loomed in closer, beckoning her.

The city sparkled less in the new daylight. The glamour dimmed, fountains lowered and that magic appeal of bustling gamblers was barely seen. Those that walked along the strip ambled by in dejected strolls, having left their souls behind at the tables in the casinos. She remembered being one of them after her first night in Vegas, before her fortune changed.

Daisy kept both hands on her steering wheel and stayed the course. At the end of the strip, one hotel stood righteously above all others. Green tint to the hundreds of glass windows, the sun reflected off the surface and made each square sparkle like emeralds. Looming as the biggest temptation in Vegas, it was also the biggest temptation of her life. Daisy stared up at the golden sign of the Shamrock and remembered the first time she laid eyes on it. It brought back memories of Pete at her side with the two of them riding in the beat-up car he loved so much. Moaning that he was tired from the drive, she pointed at the hotel, a surge of something she couldn’t name pumping adrenaline through her veins. The Shamrock would change their lives, she proclaimed. She was right.

Daisy removed her sunglasses at the red light. She dropped them in the side compartment and then placed her hands back on the steering wheel so tight her knuckles ached. The light switched to green. She sped through the intersection, the wind tossing her long curls from her eyes. Somehow, she remained focused, determined and stronger than she was five years ago.

The road swerved up into a valet drive shaped like a horseshoe. Bentleys, Ferraris, Corvettes and other luxury vehicles were lined up next to mini vans and sedans. Daisy eased hers in line. On a mission she checked the rear-view for her make-up, pressed and re-puckered her lips, before laying a hand on her purse and accepting the other that reached inside the car to help her step out.

“
Welcome to the Shamrock.” a young virile man with sun bleached skin and a cute lopsided smile said. He’d skipped the three cars in front of her wanting to be the one to offer his assistance. A shot to her confidence, she favored him with a smile and set aside her nervous worry.

“
Bags mam?” He eyed the trunk.

“
No.”

“
Ah, came to play not stay?”

Daisy lowered her hand for his and eyed the doors. “I don’t know. If things go right, I may never leave.”

The valet placed her ticket in her hand to touch it once more.

“
Good luck. The Shamrock makes dreams come true.”

Daisy winked. “Yes, I found my pot of gold here once.”

She stepped around the car in her three-inch heels, forcing more sway into her walk just to keep balanced on the points.

The automatic doors parted, and a blanket of cool air washed over her. The chill of the casino was such a contrast to the Nevada morning heat. The surface of her skin was instantly covered in goose bumps. She hesitated at first, standing in the lobby absorbing the scene. The Shamrock remained a tempting mix of serenity of luxury. Aiden’s world of excess was tastefully designed to give the illusion that this life was what any person down on their luck deserved. No matter the cost.

“
Excuse me,” a concierge said pushing a golden cart of luggage. Daisy stepped aside to let him pass. Her line of vision trained on the private door. It led to the elevators, which would lead to his private floor. She started toward it but stopped herself. Without his explicit okay, he’d have to be told she was there and then grant permission for her to come up.

Maybe it was best that he remained unaware. Daisy approached the receptionist’s, desk. She stopped and gave the blonde a polite smile. The woman was quite striking and beautiful in an unreal kind of way. Her features were perfect symmetry, eyes, nose, mouth and a flawless skin tan. She even smelled rich. Daisy felt a pang of envy that he’d have these women around him. However, it gave her a small sense of pride that this beauty possibly wouldn’t have him searching the globe for her for five years.

“
Welcome to The Shamrock. How long will you be staying with us?”

“
I’m here to see Donovan McBride. Please tell him Daisy Johnson is waiting.”

****

Pete walked briskly through the automatic doors. His steps were so hurried he nearly broke into a run. He shoulder bumped those in his way, irked by the morning crowd at such a small airport. The airport had only four major airlines and a private hanger. She’d flown in with Aiden’s men. Could he be precipitating her leaving? Pete forced the thoughts out of his mind. His suspicion of Aiden and his hatred was like a virus. He was sick with it.

As he circled the airport kiosks, a quick disturbing thought flickered to the front of his mind. What if he was too late? Fear tore at his insides and made his movements sluggish. Pete sweated under his arms, across his brow and above his top lip. Panic, anxiety, regret and fear of losing what he felt entitled to dulled his senses. The only thing clear now was the hard beating of his heart.

“
Okay… okay, babe, where are you?

He checked the marquee. At first the flights bled into each other in an incomprehensible read. It required a little focus so he blinked several times and strained to countdown the departures. Then he saw two flights, two different airlines and both headed for Kentucky. One was for Louisville and the other not far from Hollow Creek. There was only one departure area. He could catch her if he wasn't too late. Pete ran for a ticket agent. In doing so, his eyes flipped up to the travelers lined to go through security screeners. One in particular caught his eye. He stopped and stared. The pink and blue carry-on bag was like a neon light. Her pixie cut and the yellow sweater she always wore identified her. “Nina!”

He ran like a bullet, nearly shoving others out of his way. “Nina!”

She passed the security gate and turned to the conveyer belt, waiting patiently for her bag and shoes to appear. He saw her face clearly. It was her.

“
Nina!”

She looked up and stared directly at him. He panted, smiling. He had found her. Caught her. Pete hurried toward the security line but was met by two burly airport TSA agents. They sized him up to see if he had a ticket or ID.

“
Nina, baby… wait.”

To his horror, she plucked her purse and carryon from the sliding conveyor belt and turned away.

“
Nina!” He moved out of the path of the other travelers, watching her, helpless. “I’m sorry, baby. I fucked up, okay? I admit it. It was me. I did it. I know it now. I understand it now. I just need to work through it. I just need you.”

Nina stopped and looked back at him with tears glistening in her eyes. The look she gave him chilled him. “It’s over, Pete,” she mouthed.

“
No… no… no… no… it’s not! Listen to me. I told Daisy we’d work it out. I meant it. I don’t want to fight with her. I don’t give a shit about that war with Aiden. I understand now.”

“
I don’t believe you,” Nina said. Now, many stopped to watch the exchange. She stepped back. He couldn’t close the gulf and couldn’t reach her to force her to believe.

“
You’re going to have to stop yelling, sir. Back away.” The TSA agent moved in his face with a black wand in his hand and a hard glare in his eyes. “Step back now!”

“
Nina, baby, one more chance. I get it. I do. I know what I want. It’s you.”

The lack of faith and distrust in her eyes stabbed his heart. He’d pretty much ignored her and taken her for granted since this entire ordeal began, even leaving her behind. Pete just assumed she’d be there. Faithful, loyal Nina was always there.

“
Don’t go. Don’t.”

She wavered and took another step toward him. Her face contorted with pain over wanting to believe. Yes, he saw that in her eyes; the struggle to believe in him. Pete beckoned, trying to draw her to him. The TSA agent had taken to shoving him back to allow other travelers to pass. “That’s right, babe. I mean it. Give me one more chance.”

“
Step back now!” the agent glowered.

“
Come with me. Don’t go,” Pete begged.

Then she stopped. Nina shook her head twice, turned and walked away.

“
Nina!”

****

“
Mrs. Johnson, I’m surprised to see you,” Donovan spoke behind her. She stood before an office desk, eyes sweeping over smiling portraits of his wife and daughter. Daisy looked back as Donovan entered on his cane. His arrival had the manager, who waited in a corner, slipping out.

“
Thank you for coming down, Mr. McBride. I need you to get me upstairs to see Aiden.” Daisy held her clutch purse in front of her with both hands. She smiled. “If you’re surprised, I’m sure he will be.”

“
He’s not taking visitors.” Donovan gave a wry smile in return.

“
I assumed so. That’s why I asked for you.
His shadow
.” She looked him up and down, not sure if she was reading him right. His posture and cool stare gave her pause. However, if Aiden was in a state, she was sure that this man he hired for God knows what was there to observe. “He makes no moves without you. Right?”

“
Something like that,” Donovan answered icily.

“
I understand. You think I’m here to hurt him, reject him or demand something of him? Not true. Take me to him. I’ll clear it all up.” She waved it off and gave a weary sigh, now clear on what awaited her upstairs.

“
No.”

Daisy froze. “What did you say?”

“
I said no. You will leave the Shamrock as you came, now.”

“
No I won’t. I want you to take me to Aiden.
Now!
”

Donovan moved, his steps very precise and his eye-to-eye contact never dropping away. “Aiden’s not in the receiving mood. Trust me. I’m doing you a favor, Ms. Johnson. Let your goodbye stand. It’s best that this thing end as is."

“
Who the hell are you to say that?
This thing,
as you call it, is none of your damn business. And if it ends, that is none of your business either!”

There was a slight hesitation in his hawk like eyes. Confused, she wandered restlessly around the room. What was he trying to do? Keep her from Aiden? Why? It was creepy the way he just watched her. There was something in his glare that unnerved her.

“
It’s none of your business. I want to see Aiden and see him now!”

Donovan smirked. “It is my business. Aiden Keane has been my business for over a decade, sweetheart. That’s the way he wanted it. Wants it. I handle things for him. All
things
for him. And I’m sorry to be the one to share with you that he finds no reason to continue this game.”

“
Do you hear yourself? Give me a break. What is he to you?”

“
He’s a man you don’t want in your life. Remember, that was your choice.”

“
Don’t speak to me about my choices. You don’t know me! So what you think of yourself as some guardian? Hell, Aiden possibly needs a team of you to hide his dirty deeds. But Aiden and I, this ‘thing’ between us, that’s off limits to you.”

“
Nothing is off limits
.”

Daisy stepped back. The cynicism in his remark grated her.

“
You made a choice, and so did nature. There is nothing left for you here.” His straight glare seemed to be accusing her coldly.

“
Every time I look around, you’re there. You had the nerve to come to the hospital the day of the paternity. What were you there for? Did you need to hold his hand?”