Her skirt was long and full, and it swept the floor and tangled around her legs. Her top was tight, its hem stopping half an inch above her belly button. The detached sleeves itched at their start, just below her bicep, and crinkled at the crook of her elbow. The shoes were slippery, and the heels kept getting caught beneath the hem of her skirt. All in all, it was a very inappropriate ensemble to be wearing behind a bar, and she was lucky that she only had to do a few minutes stand-in while Luke's temporary replacement took a break.

Sam could have killed Luke. She knew this was the reason she didn't want to go into business with him. He ran off too often, and though he could always cajole his sister into taking over the blues club, the duty of running the Haunted Star fell onto her when he had a new scheme at which to play. All she knew about the current one was that it involved a hell of a lot of money. Apparently, Luke thought that was enough information.

"Gotta run, babe. The Star is all yours. Take care of her, will ya?"

The slightest message, and he was gone. Left on her voice mail, no less! The least he could have done was find her and tell her in person. Give her a chance to protest before the inevitable agreement. There was something about Luke Spencer that was just undeniable. She didn't know anyone who could say no to the man. Oh, they started out positively, but by the end, everyone was bowing to his will. She wasn't even sure that both of the Alcazars or Jason would have made it. They'd probably agree to something minor just to make him stop talking.

Sam's interest in the Star was purely financial. She would have been completely fine with salvaging the remnants and selling the thing off. Luke was the one that wanted the club. He wanted the prestige of having Port Charles's only gambling license. A whole lot of shit that she could have done without.

But, then again, it was nice to actually be doing something. Sam's little taste of management while temporarily running Luke's had reminded her of the days before she met Jason. Before she became a kept woman. Not that she minded, though. Sam rather enjoyed being able to come and go as she pleased. Yet, there was still something to be said for earning one's own living, making one's own name. It was only safe, when she considered the position she was in. Her revenue depending solely on Jason and their time together just wasn't enough insurance for her.

More than that, though, running the club helped her get her mind off of Manny. He was in town, though she hadn't seen him yet, and the idea scared her. Two days ago, she had cleaned the glass and water from the floor, erasing all traces of his little gift. She'd not spoken his name and definitely hadn't told Jason anything. There had been no more hint of Manny, but still she was worried. She was almost to the point of paranoia, waiting for him to pop up around ever corner, from behind every bush. She needed the distraction for her own sanity.

But still, occasionally slinging drinks at the Haunted Star while wearing an expensive gown did nothing for her mood.

"Vodka on the rocks," she said, passing glasses to a tray, "gin and tonic, green apple martini, and white wine." Sam pushed a stray lock of hair back and tucked it behind her ear. Her head turned and she was relieved to see the bartender only a few feet away. "You've got drinks," she called out to him. "Three drafts, a tequila sunrise, four shots of Jager, and a Liquid Cocaine. Go for it."

Sighing, Sam ducked out from behind the bar and slowly walked the floor. The casino was small, and the full capacity only improved to accentuate its size. It seemed as though there were more people than usual inside, but then again, she wasn't there often enough to know what the usual actually was. Sam enjoyed a good casino, sure, but being inside of her own held no thrill for her. What was the point of gambling when she was only taking her own money?

Sam shook her head and steeled her back. This wasn't a time to look weak, or as though she weren't paying attention. She was, in effect, the pit boss for the night, and she had to make sure everything was as it should have been. There was no cheating in her establishment, and anyone she caught would find one four-inch heel directly up his or her ass.

"Sam!" The call was just loud enough to be heard over the bustling roar of the gambling crowd. She turned as Lucky Spencer came towards her, running his hands through his hair. "Sam, is everything good in here?"

She looked at him curiously, then asked, "Did Jason send you? Because I really don't need a babysitter. The Star has security, and I really don't want a babysitter."

"No, Jason didn't send me." He groaned. The poor guy was probably getting really tired of being asked similar questions. More than likely, any time he showed up, he was always being asked if someone had sent him. "Lorenzo's here and I'm just checking things over before I bring them inside."

"Them?" She cocked an eyebrow. "Carly's with him?"

"Not likely. She's got Zander tied up at The Cellar. She's gonna be there to get that place back on its feet no matter what, and he's gotta be right there. Something about the people who blow up together…" He shook his head. "I don't know. She's crazy."

"Tell me something I don't know." Sam shrugged. "If it's not Carly, then who else is with him?"

"Just a business thing. Somebody he's done business with before. It's one of those, don't really want you in my house, so we'll do business in public, kinda things."

"And it lets people see them being friendly so if he disappears, he's got witnesses to say they weren't enemies? I'm not stupid Lucky. I know the routine."

He shrugged. "Not my business unless it deals with security. So, is the place clean?"

"If you mean no cops, then no. There aren't any cops. They don't come here." Sam sighed. "Whatever. Bring 'em in. But, don't let anything start, alright? Cops may not be here, but there are a lot of people around who either don't like Lorenzo, or don't trust him. Luckily, Jax isn't here tonight. If he mistook Lorenzo for Luis…"

"Yeah, I know. Been there, done that. And I've been there when it was actually Luis. No love lost." Lucky ran his hand through his hair again. "But, the boss doesn't like to be kept waiting, and saving his daughters from blowing up only carries so much weight. I think I lost about fifty pounds of that when I didn't catch 'em ditching school."

Sam nodded and watched Lucky until he was out of her site, then went back to patrolling the main casino floor. This was where all the action happened. The other decks were occupied, but their traffic was slow enough that she wasn't needed there. Just in case, though, she had her NEXTEL walkie attached to her waist. So far, there was nothing going on that needed her immediate attention. But it was early yet, and there were still indefinite days to go that she would find herself aboard the ship.

Sam had just started to think about how her new duties would affect her wedding planning and time with Jason when a stillness started to sweep over the crowd. The growing hush was enough to inform her that Lorenzo Alcazar and guest had stepped onto the casino floor. Sam swept her skirt with a flourish and made her way across the floor. She doubted Luke would meet people with dignity, but Sam was going to do her best to not be too much like Luke. Just the thought of it was scary enough.

Unfortunately, her dignity dropped to the floor the second she caught sight of them. Lorenzo was no problem. She'd seen him in too many states of existence to be affected by his presence, but his guest…

Manuel Ruiz was short and, with the exception of his bald head, covered in tattoos. Most of them were unseen by the white linen suit that he wore, but the designs, turned green by age, poured over his wrists and hands. His grin was even, and only the sparkle in her eyes showed that while he was pleased, he was definitely not surprised. She would imagine that he'd somehow found out that she would be there and had requested their public meeting be at the Haunted Star. In a way, of course, that seemed less enthusiastic and more agreeable to an idea that was already in Lorenzo's mind.

"Manny Ruiz," he said, "Sam McCall. Half-owner and current management of the Haunted Star."

"And, I hear, special someone to Jason Morgan." Manny extended his hand. "Pleased to meet you, Ms. McCall."

Manny's grin made Sam's skin crawl. She couldn't hide the hesitation with which she extended her hand. Sam spared a glance for Lorenzo, and saw the recognition on his face. She could only hope that he didn't question her about it later. She did, however, take Manny's hand, and almost cringed when he raised it to brush his lips over her knuckles.

"A definite pleasure," he said, his lips hovering over her skin. "Jason's a lucky man. A girl like you… A guy would be an idiot to let escape. He'd probably hunt you down if you ever left."

"Then, I guess it's a good thing that I don't plan to ever leave him, isn't it?" She took her hand back, trying to make the gesture look neutral. Sam looked up at Lorenzo and said, "I'll have a table cleared for you, and send a waitress your way. Drinks are, of course, on the house. Baccarat?"

Lorenzo nodded and Sam turned quickly. The less time spent near Manny, the better. Sam grabbed a waitress, sent her to Lorenzo and Manny, then hurried to clear a table towards the back of the room. Business, she thought. Think of business and the task at hand.

But it was hard, because she still felt Manny hovering over her hand. She still felt his eyes piercing her. And she saw his teasing grin. Oh yeah, he'd known that she would be at the Star that night. He wanted her to know just how close he was to her and how easily he could get to her, now that he had found her. And Sam had to figure out what the hell to do next. Before Manny blew the whistle… or worse.