CHAPTER 8

Mary breezed through the employee entrance and headed out onto the casino floor. Cutting across the floor was the fastest way to get to her room and she didn't want to keep Ed and Casey waiting any longer than absolutely necessary.

"Did you hear Casey's back early?" Mary had been so focused that she hadn't even noticed Sam walk up beside her.

"Um, yeah, I've actually got a meeting with him in about 20 minutes so I really don't have time to chat," Mary kept walking, hoping Sam would take the hint.

"Why do you think he's back early? You don't think there's anything going on, do you?"

She probably knew Sam better than anyone, but she still could not figure out her obsession with Casey. He seemed like a nice enough guy and Sam had been less than forthcoming about what he'd done to make her despise him so much. Mary guessed there was probably a very thin line between love and hate and Sam was precariously perched somewhere in the middle. "Sam, I really don't know. I got a call from Ed this morning saying they wanted to meet with me."

"He better not be trying to screw me again."

At those words Mary stopped and looked at her friend incredulously, "Do you actually think I've been called into a meeting of the 'Let's Screw Sam' Club? Stop being so paranoid. He agreed to the settlement so just let it go. I'll talk to you later."

Mary stepped onto the elevator and pressed the button for her floor just in time to see Sam finally look at her with a puzzled expression on her face. As the doors to the elevator slipped closed, Mary heard her friend ask, "Hey, isn't that the same outfit you had on yesterday?"

---

Danny and Mike sat in his office meticulously scrolling through every new camera angle on the monitors.

"I think we're good, Danny. All the new cameras are online and we've got all the programs modified to include them in the surveillance loop."

"Yeah, thanks, Mike" Danny said distractedly as he stared at the phone.

"So, you gonna tell me who she is?"

"Who?"

"Come on, man. I know that look. You got some booty last night."

Before Danny could respond Ed appeared at the doorway. "Rita said you were looking for me."

The relief he'd felt at being saved from Mike's question disappeared with Ed's inquiry. Danny sat there for a moment trying to think of an excuse that would explain why he'd called Ed's office seven times in the last two hours because it definitely hadn't been out of a need to talk to the man himself. The truth was Mary had been sequestered in there all morning and Danny had been anxious to see her.

He'd never been a good liar and he didn't think now would be any different. Danny cursed himself for not coming up with a cover story sooner. He should have figured that simply telling Ed's assistant not to give him any messages would fail to work after about the fourth call. Luckily, Mike chimed in and saved him from making a complete fool out of himself.

"We've got all the new cameras online, boss."

"Great."

Danny decided to gloss over Ed's earlier question and just follow Mike's lead, "I also spoke with Desert Security Contractors and they're sending over a couple of new guys. I figured it wouldn't hurt to have some extra bodies around and we've used them before."

"Yeah, good call. Just so you know, Jillian is coming to stay at the hotel for awhile. I'll just feel better if she's close by and I've also talked to Delinda. My buddy Frank is coming to town and she's agreed to let him shadow her whenever she leaves the property."

Ed turned to leave, but Danny couldn't help but ask, "Anything else we should know about? I saw that Casey was back earlier than expected."

"Nah--nothing that concerns you," Ed said as he headed down the stairs and out of the security room.

---

"Okay, so spill. Who's the hot young thing that has you all in a tizzy? I thought for sure you were going to work it out with Mary, man."

"Um…," Danny hesitated before coming up with what he hoped was a completely ambiguous answer. "Look, Mike. This thing is new and I just want to see where it's going before I get everyone else involved, you know." Well, that was a bit of a lie since he knew exactly where it was going, but he hoped Mike would accept it for now.

"It's cool, man, but when you feel you're ready to talk about it…I'm your first call, right?" Mike asked him excitedly as he headed towards the door.

"Sure." Mary was right. Their friends were too nosy for their own good and this secret relationship thing was going to be a lot harder than he thought.

After a few moments the phone on Danny's desk began to ring and he reached to pick it up.

"Danny McCoy."

"Hey, handsome."

"Finally! I thought maybe you'd changed your mind and run off with Ed and Casey. Your meeting went on forever," he joked.

"I know. It did run a bit long, but Danny—calling Ed's office repeatedly to find out if I'm still in there…not a good way to keep things on the down low," Mary couldn't help but tease him a bit.

She was worried at first that something had happened when Ed's secretary handed him the stack of messages as soon as they'd come out of the meeting, but when Rita followed up with the statement, "Mr. McCoy didn't say why he was calling, Mr. Deline. He just wanted to see if you were still in your meeting," Mary had a hard time smothering her laughter.

"Yeah, I'm sorry. I guess I just…missed you…a little bit."

Mary couldn't help but smile as she replied, "Well, I missed you a little bit too."

Both of them were quiet for a moment before Mary spoke. "So, I have some news. Can you take a break so I can tell you about it?"

Danny had been anxious to see her before, but her excitement that now radiated through the phone had him almost bouncing in his chair. "Sure, where do you want to meet?"

"2703—in the Residences."

"The Residences?"

"Yeah, I'll see you there in about half an hour," Mary quickly finished. "I've got another call, sweetie. I'll see you soon," and with that the line went dead.

---

Danny stood in front of the door to #2703. Out of curiosity he had checked the tenant roster and learned that this particular unit was vacant and he couldn't help but wonder what Mary had planned. The thought that this might be one of their first secret meetings flitted through his mind and his body tingled with anticipation. He raised his hand to knock, but before he could make contact with the wood the door swung open to reveal an absolutely radiant Mary Connell. She grabbed him by the tie and pulled him inside—letting the door slam shut behind them.

After several long minutes of what could only be referred to as a "serious make-out session" Mary stepped away so that Danny could take in their surroundings. The condo was indeed vacant, with no furniture anywhere in sight. It was a corner unit and the living room had a stunning view of the Strip. To his left was a huge kitchen—much bigger than some of the other units he'd seen and beyond that a door which he assumed led to a bedroom.

"So, what do you think?" Mary finally asked him.

"Nice. I hadn't seen this floor plan yet. So what's going on? What are we doing here?"

"Checking out my new place."

"What? Are you serious?"

"Yep. Ed and Casey offered it to me today. They like having me on site so they offered me this unit as part of my new compensation package."

"Mary…that's incredible! So, what exactly does that mean?"

"Well, they want me under contract so they put together a really nice deal. I countered on a few things—this being one of them since they didn't realize I wasn't happy in one of the regular suites—and when we agreed on everything, I signed it."

"Did you have anyone else look at the contract?" The words came out of Danny's mouth automatically and he wished he could take them back.

Luckily, Mary knew he was only looking out for her so she tried not to be offended. "I know it's probably naïve of me, Danny, but I trust Ed. I don't think he'd let me sign anything that would end up hurting me. It was a really great deal."

"I'm sure it was, baby. I'm sorry, you're right. Ed wouldn't do that to any of us." Danny leaned down to give her a soft kiss and when Mary responded in kind he knew all was forgiven.

"So, will you help me move in this weekend?"

"Of course...on one condition,"

Mary looked at him with an adorably puzzled expression as Danny maneuvered her towards the kitchen. In one swift motion he lifted her onto the counter and positioned himself between her legs--slowly running his hand up her thigh beneath the hem of her skirt. Mary's brows lifted in silent question before Danny pressed his forehead to hers.

"I want to finish what we started this morning," Danny's words were like honey as he reached to pull her leg around his waist; his mouth descending on the smooth column of her neck.

Mary moaned in pleasure before responding breathlessly, "Oh, I definitely think that can be arranged."