Vegas Vacation (12 page)

She stood quietly as Martin chatted to his parents, then they made their goodbyes and headed across the lobby to the lifts. “Your family is nice.”

They don't deserve this, Lord. Any of it. Forgive me for dragging them into all this.

Martin nodded. “Yeah, they are. I wish Peggy hadn't called Mom and Dad and told them, though.”

“She's happy for you. So were they.” The lift came and Tamlyn felt his hand on the small of her back as he guided her in. “Martin, I...”

He glanced at her, exhaustion showing on his face.

“You look shattered.” She ran her fingers down his face.

His hand caught hers, stilling it. “I am. It's been a long couple of days.”

Tamlyn shook her hand free, letting it fall to her side. “Tell me about it. All I want to do is sleep.” As the lift doors opened, she made her way into the hallway. “Which way?”

Martin consulted the key and nodded to his right. “This way.”

Tamlyn let him lead her down the hallway and waited while he unlocked the door.

He let her go in first, following behind.

The door shut and Tamlyn flicked on the light. The room looked fairly basic. A bed, two chairs, small round table and a bathroom.

But it was only for the one night as she assumed Martin would want her out of here first thing.

Their bags sat on the queen-sized bed, which someone had turned down for them. Crossing to the window, Tamlyn looked out at the view of the strip. “Should try and hit a few more casinos tomorrow and get some more chips.”

A grunt came from behind her. “Sure.”

She turned to see Martin drop into a chair.
He doesn't look at all well. Maybe he still has those drugs in his system
. “If you want to sleep that's fine. I'll put a movie on or something.”

“Are you sure?”

She nodded. “Yeah, quite sure. I might go have a bath before I do that, though.”

“OK.” Martin pulled himself up. “Let me check it first.”

“Martin, no one knows we're here.”

“Tam, don't argue.”

She raised her hands. “Fine, go check it. Make sure there isn't a bad guy with false teeth and a ski mask hiding behind the toilet.” She unzipped her bag and pulled out one of the oversized t-shirts she'd bought.

As Martin came out of the bathroom, she brushed past him and shut the door. This was a mistake. She thought they were friends. Maybe more than friends after the way he kissed her, but now? He'd gone from exuding fire, to being the iceman.

She didn't understand. He'd kissed her, awakened such feelings in her, and then turned and said married in name only.

Why'd he done it?

Why not simply get the papers forged, give her a cheap ring and be done with it? Witness protection did it all the time.

Why go through with it if he didn't love her?

Tamlyn left the bathroom and glanced across the room. Martin had put the two arm chairs together and turned them into a makeshift bed. He lay curled up, fast asleep, his coat covering him.

“Oh, Martin,” she whispered. Crossing the room, she pulled off the top blanket from the bed and covered him properly. Then she took one of the pillows and laid it gently under his head. She watched as he grunted softly, before settling back down.

She moved over to the bed and curled up on her side watching him. Her day had gone from one extreme to the other. Tomorrow wouldn't be much better. She had to face her father. What would he say? How would she respond? Other than standing up to him and fighting for what she wanted. The problem was, even though she wore Martin's ring, she didn't know if he wanted her. She closed her eyes, and stumbling over the words, began to pray.

 

****

 

Bright sunlight woke Tamlyn the following morning. She opened her eyes to see Martin, clad only in a pair of shorts, unfold his frame from the two chairs and stand up. He stretched, trying to work the kinks out of his shoulders and neck, before grabbing a change of clothes from his bag. Then he turned and padded across the room to the bathroom.

Her husband. Just the thought thrilled her. Even if they were only friends.

She rolled onto her back and clasped her hands behind her head. She heard the shower click on and gazed over at the window. Maybe he'd make good his promise on the rest of the chips. She'd only got ten of the forty she needed.

The shower turned off and after a moment, the door opened. Tamlyn caught her breath at the sight of Martin standing in the door, black jeans sitting snugly on his hips and his feet and chest bare, his short hair wet and spiked. “Morning.”

“Morning.” His smile made her heart beat faster and her knees felt even weaker. He pulled the t-shirt over his head, hiding the scars. “Shower's all yours.”

Tamlyn shook her head. “I'm good. I'll go get dressed.”

“What do you want for breakfast?”

“I'm not hungry.”

“You need something.”

She grabbed a change of clothes and tugged the tee-shirt down. “Coffee's fine.”

Martin nodded. “OK.” He picked up the phone and ordered. Then he looked at her. “You should arrange to meet your father to get your clothes back.”

Tamlyn sighed. “Or I go to reception and tell them my suite has been infested with squatters and have them evicted.”

Martin laughed. “You wouldn't dare.”

“Watch me. I'm not paying for a suite I can't use.”

“You are a wicked woman, Tamlyn Bradshaw.”

Tamlyn looked at him and trudged to the bathroom, his words piercing her to the core.
I thought my name was Tamlyn Ames, not Tamlyn Bradshaw
.

“What did you want to do after we've seen your father?”

Tamlyn shrugged. “Finish the casinos before I leave.”

He moved over to her with curiosity in his eyes. “Leave? Where will you go?”

“Somewhere I'm wanted.” She shut the door in his face. When she came out, Martin was eating.

“There's your coffee.”

“Thanks.” She sat at the table and picked up the cup. It hurt being this close to him, his ring on her finger, with him ignoring her.

“What are you thinking?”

“Mainly confused thoughts about you.”

Martin put his cutlery down with a clink. “How am I confusing you?”

Tamlyn studied him over the cup before putting it down. “Well, one minute you're all over me, your kisses set me on fire and the next minute you're an iceman and keeping your distance. You slept on the chairs when we have a perfectly good bed. You acted like you were ashamed of me in front of your family yesterday. If you didn't want to marry me, then why not just forge the papers—the cops on TV shows do it all the time. Don't you find me attractive?”

His eyes darkened and he struggled to contain the emotion that shot across his face. “It's just...”

Tamlyn turned away, tears burning her eyes. “Forget I asked. While you eat, I'll gonna go pay what I owe on my suite. You can get this marriage annulled. I won't contest it.”

Martin reached for her across the table.

“Don't.” She pushed to her feet.

“Don't walk away from me, Tamlyn,” he commanded. “And don't look at me like that, either. I didn't have to marry you, but I did, and I told you that it'd be in name only.”

She coughed to hide the lump in her throat and grabbed her bag. “Forget I said anything, I'm going to go settle my bill.”

“You're not going alone. Let me put my shoes on.”

 

****

 

Tamlyn grabbed Martin's hand as they crossed the lobby, seeing the familiar sight of her father's bodyguard by the desk. “Great, just what I need.”

Garth blocked her path. “Your father wants to see you, Lady Tamlyn. Alone.”

“That's Mrs. Ames, to you.” At least as far as he and her father were concerned. “Whatever my father has to say to me, he can say in front of my husband.”

“Your
husband
?” Garth's sinister tone matched the malevolence in his gaze.

She scowled. “I'm not debating this with the hired help. Where's my father?”

“Lord Bradshaw is taking breakfast in the restaurant, Lady Tamlyn.”

Lord, help me keep my temper here and give my father the respect he deserves.
Holding tightly to Martin's hand, and grateful the encounter would be in public, she swept past Garth over to where her father and Daniel sat by the window. Without waiting to be told, she sat, tugging Martin down to the chair beside her. “Morning, Dad. Garth said you wanted to talk to me. So, here I am.”

“What's he doing here? He was told his services were no longer required…along with the penalty for disobeying me.”

“Martin isn't my protection officer anymore. He's my husband.”

Her father glared at her. “Your
what
?”

“Martin and I got married yesterday. I did tell you I was in love with someone else.”

Lord Bradshaw scowled. “Then get it annulled. You didn't have my permission.”

“I don't need your permission.”

Martin squeezed her hand. “We'd hoped you'd be happy for us, Lord Bradshaw.”

Lord Bradshaw's scowl darkened. “That's not possible. Tamlyn will get this marriage annulled and marry Daniel.”

Tamlyn shook her head. “No, I won't. I'm sorry if it messes up your plans, but I'm doing what's right for me.” She took a deep breath. “So, what did you want to discuss?”

“You leaving the hospital for one thing. And there are the forms that need your signature to sign your share of the estate over to Daniel.”

She frowned. Surely, she misheard him. “I don't remember anything about that. You said you sold him half of it. But either way, I'm not signing anything. You can send those to Martin's lawyer. He'll be dealing with anything to do with my share of the estate now. And I'm fine, thanks for your concern for my health.” She paused. “I need the key to my suite, please, so I can collect my things. Along with the cross Grandma gave me. I wore it to dinner, but when I woke in the hospital it was gone.”

“You're not having the key. That necklace, like everything else you own, is part of the estate. Always has been, always will be.”

“Grandma gave it to me for my birthday. And if it's not returned with the rest of my things, I'll report it stolen.”

Lord Bradshaw's hand closed over her wrist. “You'll do no such thing. Now you'll stop this nonsense and come home.”

Tamlyn lowered her voice. “Let me go or I'll have Martin arrest you for assault.”

“You'll be back, Tammy.”

“No, I won't. My life is here now. Let's go, Martin.”

Desolation filled Tamlyn as she and Martin walked back across the lobby. She'd burnt her bridges, but the problem was Martin didn't want her, either.

“Tam, are you really going to have them evicted from your suite? We can replace your clothes and my Bible and…”

“I can't replace my necklace.” Tamlyn stopped at the desk. “Would it be possible to speak to the manager please?”

“I'm Bryan Wilson, duty manager. How can I help you?”

Tamlyn took a long look at the impeccably dressed man standing there. “My name's Lady Bradshaw. I'm staying in the Grand Lake suite.”

Mr. Wilson tapped on the computer. “What seems to be the problem?”

“Two nights ago, Daniel Haynes from room 2957, and a couple of other men, took my key and threw me out of my suite. I didn't say anything as I hoped to resolve it myself. All my clothes and possessions are still there—including a very expensive family heirloom.” At least she hoped that's where it was.

Mr. Wilson glanced at the computer. “What can I do to help?”

“I'll pay for the three nights I stayed here and then find alternative accommodation elsewhere. They can pay the rest of the bill.”

“I can try to have them evicted.”

Martin pulled out his ID. “Sgt. Ames, Vegas PD. I'd like you to do more than try, Mr. Wilson. Lady Bradshaw has made a complaint and also reported the necklace stolen. I'd like this sorted out as expeditiously as possible, before the press hears about it. No bad publicity for the hotel that way.”

Mr. Wilson nodded. “Of course.” He grabbed the phone. “Get me security to the lobby.”

Tamlyn glanced at Martin as he put away his ID.

“I will have this cleared up in no time, Lady Bradshaw. Do you still wish to settle the account? If you wish to remain here, I wouldn't charge you for the nights so far and take fifty percent off the remainder of the bill.”

Tamlyn exchanged a long glance with Martin and nodded. “OK, thank you.”

Mr. Wilson turned to speak with the security guards who appeared at the desk. After a moment, he turned back to Tamlyn. “If you give us a couple of hours to clean the room, Lady Bradshaw, I'll issue you with a new key.”

“Thank you. I'll leave it in your capable hands.”

He nodded. “I really am very sorry about this. It won't happen again.”

Tamlyn headed away from the desk, brushing her hands together. “That's that sorted. Can we go and get some more chips, now? This is meant to be a holiday after all.”

 

****

 

Martin held open the door of the rental car for Tamlyn.

She grinned at him as she slid into the passenger seat. “That's the most fun I've had in ages.”

“Ten casinos are
fun
?” He didn't bother to hide the sarcasm. “You Brits sure have a weird definition of fun.”

“My feet don't think so, but I do.” She slipped off her shoes and rotated her feet, first one way then the other. “Sometimes being a daft English tourist pays off. Did you notice how they always look for the really decent chips for me? Where to next?”