A highlander in vegas, p.5
A Highlander In Vegas, page 5
“They may nae be your enemies, but they are surely mine, lass.”
Tessa grabbed his arm and tried to turn him away and back towards The Albannach, but he easily resisted her attempts. As long as she had his arm in her hands, it couldn’t hurt to enjoy the feel of the solid muscle beneath his shirt. She was impressed by his strength and realized she had no control over him whatsoever should he decide he was going to The King Arthur. It reminded her of the time her cousin’s massive stallion took her for a walk around his pasture.
“Come on, Braeden, I think we should go see my father.” She had to let her father know he’d hired someone with serious psychological issues. He had seemed somewhat normal up until this moment, but now Tessa wasn’t sure her father was aware of everything he needed to know when he’d hired Braeden.
Braeden slowly turned his focus away from The King Arthur and faced her. “Aye. I must speak with yer Da.”
Breathing a sigh of relief, Tessa made her way back through the doors and into the cool air of the casino lobby. Braeden was right behind her. She hurried towards the elevators and was happy that the one leading to her father’s executive offices was waiting for them. They entered and once again, Braeden stood facing her. Apparently he didn’t have any elevator etiquette. Tessa took his arm, spinning him so that he was facing the doors. He glanced back at her with a questioning look, but she didn’t really feel like giving him a lesson in how to properly ride the elevator, so she said nothing. The doors opened and she practically ran to her father’s office.
“Hello again,” Kelly said as Tessa ignored her and went right into her father’s office. Braeden was hot on her heels.
“Is something wrong, Tessa?” John McTavish asked.
“Something’s weird is more like it. Dad, I gave Braeden a tour of the property as you asked and then we went out the front doors and he got all weird when he saw The King Arthur. He says they’re his enemy and he looked like he was going to storm down there and kill someone.”
John laughed and laughed, causing Tessa and Braeden to exchange concerned glances. When he finally stopped, he said, “Braeden, please sit. You too, Tessa.”
“Braeden, I understand how you may have mistaken The King Arthur for an enemy castle, but believe me when I tell you, they are not your English enemy.”
“Dad, what is going on here? The English and the Scots aren’t enemies.”
“Not any more.” John directed his comments to Braeden. “We’re in America, Braeden. The people at the castle down the street, which isn’t a real castle by the way, are American and the Scots and the English are no longer enemies.
“Dad?” Tessa was getting anxious. What was her father talking about? Surely, if Braeden had ever picked up a history book or gone to school, he knew all of this. Not to mention he was from Scotland. He had to know it was part of Great Britain.
“Tessa, I’m going to tell you something that you may find hard to believe, but it’s true. You know I’d never lie to you.” John leveled his worried eyes on her.
“You’re scaring me. What could be so unbelievable?” She gazed from John to Braeden and back again.
“Braeden has come to us from the past.”
Again she glanced at her father and then at Braeden who sat stoically at her side. “What do you mean the past? Do you know him from when he was growing up?” Braeden wasn’t much older than she was, so she assumed that was what her father must mean.
“He time-travelled here fresh from the Glencoe Massacre, brought here courtesy of a charmed pocket watch given to him by his grandmother.”
Tessa could feel herself starting to hyperventilate. How could that possibly be true? Despite her initial reaction, she knew it had to be. Her father would never lie to her.
“Deep breaths, dear. Deep breaths. I know this goes against everything that we know to be true of our world, but there are some things going on here, right here in Las Vegas, that set the wheels in motion for Braeden to join us.”
Braeden rose from his chair and squatted down in front of Tessa, taking her hand, a look of concern in his eyes. Tessa stared into his face. “He looks so real.”
“I am real, lass. This has come as a shock to me as well.”
She thought about the moment she’d first met Braeden and how confused he looked by everything. Suddenly all the awkward moments they’d shared this afternoon made perfect sense. “Amazing.”
Braeden smiled up at her, causing her heart to beat even faster than it already was. “Are ye well, Tessa?”
“I’ll be okay. I’m sorry. This must be so difficult for you and here you are worrying about me. I can’t imagine finding myself in a different time and place, particularly one as strange as this.”
“All will be well. I’m sure of it. It may take time, but this is my home now and I will learn to live here,” he assured her.
Kelly’s voice came through the intercom on John’s desk. “Niall Campbell is here to see you.”
Braeden jumped up practically knocking his chair over in the process. “Campbell?”
“Aye, lad. Niall Campbell. Let me find out why he’s here. We spoke of it earlier and I know you’ve just been through an ordeal with the Campbell’s, but try to remember that was a long time ago and had nothing to do with this man, although I don’t trust him and I’m sure he’s up to something. If the two of you would go into my conference room, I’ll see what he wants. I’d prefer that he didn’t know you were here, Braeden.”
Tessa stood and walked to the hidden entrance behind her father’s desk. She slid the panel to the side and motioned for Braeden to follow. He glanced quickly at the office door and scowled before following her. Tessa slid the panel closed behind him, effectively hiding the room and entrance from sight as they both stood, ears to the door.
“Niall, how good to see you. To what do I owe the honor of your visit?” John’s voice came through the door loud and clear.
“John. ’Tis good to see ye as well.”
“Sit, please. Can I get you something to drink?” The sound of ice cubes clinking in the glass filtered through the door.
“Aye. Thank ye. Congratulations on yer grand opening. It seems everything is going well. ’Tis quite a crowd ye have in the casino.” Something about Niall’s tone seemed insincere to Tessa.
“I’m very pleased. The hotel is completely booked for the next several months.” Tessa could just imagine her father puffing out his chest with pride as he gave this information to Niall.
“That’s verra good news,” Niall responded.
Tessa repositioned herself closer to Braeden so she could hear more clearly. She could feel his disdain for Niall Campbell, even though they’d never met. His rigid stance was a clear sign.
“What can I do for you, Niall?” John got to the point of the visit.
“Well, I just wanted to alert ye to something unusual that has happened in Las Vegas today. I’m not sure exactly what it is, but there was an unusual ripple in the atmosphere. Did ye feel it?”
“No. I can’t say that I did. I wonder what it could have been.”
“Are you sure ye cannae feel it? It seems even stronger here at yer hotel. I was hoping ye might be able to tell me, but it seems ye’re as in the dark as I am.”
Braeden’s muscle’s twitched and his body tensed as he listened. He reminded Tessa of a mountain lion, ready to pounce on its prey. She hoped he’d do as John had asked and maintain control, but could see there was only a hair’s breadth separating the two.
“I am.” John answered. The silence that followed must mean the two were mulling this over while sipping their drinks.
Niall cleared his throat. “I should also let ye know there are some rumors going around that there are those who would love to see ye fail at yer new endeavor and would do anything to make it happen.”
“Really. Ye wouldn’t happen to know who that is, would ye?”
“I’m afraid not. As I said, it’s a rumor; who knows if there’s any truth to it. I just thought ye should know.”
“Thank ye, Niall. I appreciate the information. Jealousy is one of the deadly sins for a reason.”
Tessa could just imagine her father taking great pleasure in that small but obvious jab at Niall.
“Indeed.” There was a pause and then. “Ye know I value yer friendship, John. I’d hate to see anything happen to ye or yer lovely daughter. Be vigilant, please.”
“Of course. Thank you for your concern, but I’m sure my security people will take good care of us.”
“Well, then. I’ll be on my way.” Tessa heard him put his glass down and walk to the door. “Good to see ye.”
“You, too, Niall. Don’t be a stranger.”
Tessa and Braeden waited for a moment after hearing Niall leave the room, closing the door behind him.
“Tessa, you can come back in,” John called.
“That was weird,” Tessa observed as she and Braeden rejoined John.
“Yes.” John appeared to be mulling things over as he wore a serious expression.
“What did he mean ‘a ripple in the atmosphere’?” Tessa asked.
“I believe he felt the watch returning to Las Vegas.”
“My pocket watch?”
“Yes. That watch.” John tapped his fingers on his desk as he thought, something Tessa knew to mean he was anxious about what had just happened. “You know it has magical properties. We’ve talked about it.”
“Aye. So he knows it’s here.” Braeden seemed concerned now as well.
“He knows it’s here and he wants to get his hands on it. We can’t allow that to happen.” John exchanged looks with Braeden.
“But how does he know it’s here?” Tessa was having a hard time wrapping her brain around this whole thing. First she finds out that Braeden is from the past and now there’s a magical watch that Niall Campbell wants and that Braeden apparently has.
“The watch is what brought Braeden to us, so it allows the person who possesses it to time travel. It also has the ability to stop time. At the very least, Niall and the Society have been exposed to its presence at some prior time so they are familiar with the sensation of the watch’s power and can recognize it. There’s a connection there and I wonder if that explains your father’s sudden disappearance. I was surprised to learn he was gone, but assumed he’d gone back to his own time. Still it was curious to me that he left abruptly without saying goodbye.”
“I still don’t understand. How is it that you can feel it?” Tessa was trying her best to figure this out.
“Braeden’s father spoke with me about the watch and so I’ve seen it and held it before today. I think once you have been exposed to the powers of the watch, you can feel it whenever it’s near. I know this is a lot to digest, but give it some time.”
“And what about his warning that someone might try to hurt you or me? Do you believe him?”
“I do. In fact, that is why I have Braeden watching over you.”
“Dad, I told you I can take care of myself. I think it’s more important for Braeden to protect you.” Worry for John had her anxiously wringing her hands. She loved her father so much. What would she do if anything ever happened to him?
“Tessa, please don’t argue with me over this. If it’s true, then the best way to get to me is through you. Anyone who knows me will understand that.” John shuffled through the papers covering his desk before organizing them into neat piles.
“Do you think that Niall was making a veiled threat?” she asked.
John met her gaze. “He may very well have been, but I have no way of knowing for sure. Time will tell. In the meantime, we all need to be vigilant.” He stood and walked to Tessa, placing his hands on her shoulders and leaning in to kiss her forehead. “I love you more than you can understand, Tessa. If anything ever happened to you, my life would be over. Braeden will remain your bodyguard and we’ll not discuss it again. Understood?”
“Understood.” Tessa glanced at Braeden who was now standing by the windows overlooking the strip. She wasn’t sure he had been listening to her conversation with her father. He seemed to be in his own little world. She could only imagine what he must think of everything he was seeing and experiencing. She’d try to be more understanding from now on. Having him guarding her still rankled, but she’d go along with her father’s wishes, at least for now.
“Why don’t you and Braeden go and rest. I need you to be wide awake tonight. The casino will be bustling even more than it is right now.”
Tessa kissed her father’s cheek and smiled warmly at him. “I love you, Dad.”
John returned her smile and pulled her in for a hug. “Off with you now.”
“Braeden, let’s go.” Tessa took Braeden by the hand without even thinking and led him from the office and down the corridor to the elevators. She felt his hand close around hers as they walked. She liked the way it felt. They fit together perfectly and once again she was forced to think about Danny and just what was going on with him. Realization struck. She had to tell him that she couldn’t marry him.
Chapter 6
Valentine’s Day was meant to be a big deal at The Albannach. There was a grand wedding planned for later in the day and Tessa saw to it that everything would be perfect for the bride and groom. She wouldn’t be there for the reception, but her assistant, Melissa, was very capable and Tessa wasn’t at all concerned about leaving her in charge. If there were any problems, Melissa knew she was only a phone call away.
There were plenty of other festivities happening throughout the resort as well. Everyone entering the hotel was handed a sprig of heather wrapped in McTavish plaid ribbon along with a small box containing a chocolate treat created by the hotel candy makers. Those guests staying at the hotel found a bouquet of flowers, along with a bottle of champagne in their rooms. The bar was serving a special Valentine’s Day cocktail that was the prettiest pinkish-red with a chocolate heart sitting on the rim of the martini glass, created especially for the occasion by The Albannach mixologists. The restaurants, not wishing to be left out of the festivities, all had specials to suit the occasion. The Albannach was all about love today and every member of the staff was fully committed to making it an occasion to remember for their guests.
Tessa hadn’t seen Braeden yet today, but she’d sure heard his name being mentioned by the casino staff. And from the sounds of it he was making quite an impression in the best possible way.
She found she missed his hulking presence following her everywhere she went, especially after spending the whole day with him yesterday. She’d certainly complained enough to her Dad and at times she’d been less than pleasant to him, but he took it in stride. She was his commanding officer and he was her warrior. She smiled thinking it was pretty funny that she could boss around a man twice her size, who looked pretty fierce most of the time, but who, she’d discovered, had a kind heart. He never questioned her except when he thought she might be trying to get away from him. Tessa promised she wouldn’t leave the building without him and so far she’d kept that promise, leaving him to do some security work where it was actually needed.
As Tessa reached the bottom of the escalator, her heart skipped a beat as she saw him standing by the Black Jack tables. He was easy to spot, standing easily a foot taller than most of those in the vicinity. She decided her self-imposed avoidance of him was over and she made her way directly to him. As she got closer, one of the cocktail waitresses approached and he smiled down at her, listening to what she had to say.
“I’m afraid I cannae join ye as I must go with Tessa tonight.” Braeden politely answered and to Tessa’s ear sounded disappointed.
The waitress looked crestfallen, pouting at him and leaning closer so that her body leaned into his arm.
“Don’t you both have work to do?” Tessa asked.
“I’m sorry Miss McTavish.” The young woman scurried away, but not before winking at Braeden as she went on her way.
“You shouldn’t encourage that behavior. This isn’t a dating service, you know. If you want to socialize you can do it on your own time.” She could feel her blood boiling and knew she was over reacting, but somehow couldn’t contain it.
Braeden’s smile vanished and his expression became unreadable. “I apologize, but my time is nae my own, lass.”
“You could always not follow me when I leave the hotel. That would free up some time for you.” Tessa snapped back, but then returned to a more controlled approach. “I mean, if you really want to go with her tonight, I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
“’Tis my job to follow ye, Tessa.”
He had her there. Braeden’s calm, rational approach made her even more irritated with him, or was it herself she was irritated by. At any rate, she’d be better off dropping it, because if she examined her motivation, she could see it all pointed to one thing —jealousy.
The lass was jealous. That pleased him, but he’d not show her it had. She began to walk away and he moved to follow.
“We’re not leaving the hotel, so you can do whatever it was you were doing before I arrived.” She was upset with him. He’d need to be blind not to notice. Tessa avoided eye contact as she continued marching to get away from him.
“That would be speaking with Katie. Isnae that permitted?” He was enjoying himself, perhaps a bit too much.
“That’s not what I meant and you know it.” Turning to face him she narrowed her eyes suspiciously and crinkled her nose, which he found irresistible. He couldn’t help but chuckle.
“I was keeping a watch on the gaming tables, lass, but it’s time to move on.” His serious demeanor was back.
“Do you know how to play Black Jack?” Tessa glanced up at him and he could see her irritation with him had passed.
“I do now. We have a similar game in my time. ’Tis called thirty-one.” Much like Black Jack, where the goal was to get as close as possible to twenty-one, thirty-one had players collecting cards to end with a hand as close to thirty-one as they could get. He found that thinking about it had him missing his friends and family. Would it ever get any easier? He doubted it would.
