Romancing Vegas: The Captain's Orders Series, #2

By Kara Keen

Three sizzling affairs began on a cruise ship…

but what happens in Vegas might be more than the lovers bargained for!

Oksana must transform herself from victim to confident choreographer and producer of the sexy Las Vegas show she’s always dreamed of creating. Primo, who loves her, is with her all the way, risking his own life in a deadly grudge fight to finance the show.  Will Oksana rediscover the passionate soul she learned to hide, or will the dark realities of her recent trauma drag her down, pulling the lives of her loved ones along with her?

Tania knew she was in love with Cole a few days after they met. They love hanging out, having fun, and working together to help Tania’s sister Oksana develop a successful show.  They also love exploring the electrifying edges of desire together.  So what will it take for Cole to say those three little words, “I love you?”

Daniella didn’t plan to fall for Jack, but she can’t stop thinking about the crazy, sexy times they’ve shared. He’s into fast, edgy living and so much fun – but is he ready to ditch the Peter Pan act and be her Number One?

What none of them know is that an old enemy lurks in the background, waiting for the right moment to take his revenge.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kara Keen
• Release date: Dec 10, 2015
• ISBN: 9780974309347

Book preview

Prologue

Using his powerful binoculars, the Saudi prince looked down from his balcony at the five men and women clustered together on London’s Millennium Bridge. Prince Khalid knew they were there to read Emile Strauss’s final letter and scatter his ashes in the Thames. Yes, they were all there, Oksana and her sister Tania, Cole and his brother Jack, and Peter De Luca, the one they called Primo.

Standing slightly behind Khalid was an investigator, a fellow he hired to follow Oksana and the group after they got off the cruise ship Sunset. The investigator listened closely to their plans—or bribed others to listen—while they partied their way through London in restaurants, boutiques, a salon, and a nightclub.

I must say, sir, the private eye said, these friends of yours have been living the high life since they got to London, shopping and partying in all the posh spots in town. They’ve quite worn me out.

They are not friends of mine. The furthest thing from it. I expected you would have picked up on that by now, since that’s the business you’re in.

Khalid’s clipped Oxford accent did nothing to hide his irritation, and the investigator straightened immediately and went on with his report. Yes, right then. I talked to the performers at the nightclub they patronize. It seems your little Ukrainian party girl Oksana told them she is planning to open a show in Las Vegas.

Studying his prey through the binoculars, the sheik nodded. Hmmm. Good to know, good work on that. They continued watching from the balcony until the investigator followed the prince into his hotel room, where Khalid’s assistant handed him an envelope. Do you work in the States? Khalid asked as the man prepared to leave.

No, but I can refer you to some colleagues in Vegas.

Fine, do that. My assistant will see you out.

Khalid had plans for Oksana’s friends, particularly her sister. Nothing specific yet, but all his ideas involved pain and death. He hadn’t yet decided what to do about Oksana. Before she inherited Emile Strauss’s millions, he had purchased Oksana from a Russian pimp, planning to keep her as a kinky plaything somewhere, locked up tight. Now Khalid wasn’t sure if he actually wanted to reclaim his property or just humiliate her and let her live with the realization that she was the reason everyone she loved was dying… slowly.

Chapter One

The spotlight startled Primo, since he was just a spectator this evening. He’d been out of the mixed martial arts scene for years, running a personal security business that started here in Las Vegas and expanded to New York and London, supervising six Primo Security specialists and taking care of his original clients. He made it a point to work only with people he trusted. Now he had Oksana by his side, so life was pretty much… perfect.

Ladies and gentlemen, declared the ring announcer to the huge crowd, we have one of the greats of the ultimate fighting world in the audience tonight! Please give a big round of applause to Gentleman Primoooooo! Forcing himself to smile and wave, Primo stood, dragging Oksana up with him while their images appeared on the colossal screen high above the stadium.

Oh, look at you up there, beautiful man! Oksana gushed, standing on tiptoe and giving him a kiss. She liked to call him beautiful, but when the crowd roared its approval, Primo assumed they were reacting to the stunning blonde by his side, not to an old has-been fighter like him. But suddenly the crowd started clapping, stomping their feet, and chanting "Pri-mo, Pri-mo, Pri-mo," over and over again.

Waving reluctantly, trying to be gracious, he smiled and sat down. He was relieved when the spotlight moved on and he settled down to enjoy the fight with the beautiful Ukrainian woman who’d changed his life for the better since they met—under difficult, emotional, and often downright dangerous circumstances—just a short time ago.

Why do they call you Gentleman Primo? Were you nice to people you fought against? Oksana’s naïve faith in him was so pure, Primo constantly felt the need to live up to it.

"Uhhhh… not exactly nice, he chuckled, pulling her closer. The nickname had largely come from one famous incident, but Oksana wasn’t aware of it. I mean we fight each other, baby. But I tried to always fight fair, that’s what they mean."

Apparently the ultimate fighting people didn’t want to leave Primo alone. A short time later, a stadium employee with a badge and black clothing tapped his shoulder and spoke courteously to him in a low voice. League management would like to invite you to watch the fight in our corporate skybox, Mr. De Luca.

Startled that anyone remembered his real name, he shook his head and replied, That’s very kind, I appreciate it, but we’re good. Thank them for me, but we’ll stay here. Being around the league people was painful at times. It brought back memories he’d rather forget, memories of head injuries he’d both inflicted and received. The blinding headaches from those hits were the reason he quit fighting. Oksana seemed to sense his sadness and squeezed his hand, snuggling against him while they watched the fights.

Later, seeing him re-energized by what he told her had been a well-fought contest, she asked him, Do you miss it?

Primo looked at the giant screen, thoughtful, clapping while the winner’s hand was held high. "I miss the training and the friendships with the guys. I don’t miss this, the actual fight. People get hurt, they get hurt bad. There’s a lot of politics and bullshit about who gets to fight who, and when and where."

Just then the announcer introduced a guy named Jim Preston, the headliner for the night, and the crowd went wild. Preston’s opponent, a younger fighter, looked scared but determined. Primo pursed his lips, shaking his head. "And speaking of politics and bullshit, the one thing I really don’t miss is that guy right there, Jim Preston."

The fight began and Preston was everywhere, hitting the kid in the head, the lower back, and taking him down with a sweep under the feet. The young opponent seemed dazed while Preston continued to batter his head and upper body.

When Primo saw Oksana cover her eyes with one hand, he pulled her behind him, grabbed her other hand, and led her toward the exit. A recent victim of abuse herself, Oksana couldn’t handle this kind of violence right now, and Primo didn’t have to think twice.

Let’s get outta here, he said, and hustled her toward the elevator. A young woman slouching against the wall in the corridor stood up tall and approached them, smiling. Hey, Cheetah! Oksana, this is Cheetah, an old friend of mine, she fights in the women’s league. She is a good fighter, and a real credit to the sport.

Oksana, happy to meet you. Cheetah shook Oksana’s hand warmly. I guess you could tell tonight that everyone loves your… boyfriend? Husband? Anyway, the crowd loves Primo. There was a missing beat there, a moment when Cheetah stood on tiptoe to give Primo a kiss on the cheek and he didn’t lean in. Cheetah had a bruise on the side of her face and a black eye, so it was surprising when she said, I’m not fighting anymore, Primo. I’m married, and I have a little boy now.

That’s great, congratulations Mrs….?

She didn’t meet his eyes when she answered. Mrs. Preston. Jim Preston and I are married. Suddenly Primo wasn’t so surprised by the marks on her face. She was married to his old enemy, the bully asshole Preston.

Oksana piped up to fill the awkward silence. It was nice meeting you, Cheetah. While the elevator doors closed, they watched the young woman shuffle slowly down the hall. She didn’t seem to be in any hurry to watch the end of her husband’s fight.

*

It was a beautiful desert evening when they left the casino and walked arm-in-arm across Las Vegas Boulevard to meet their friends. Primo used to hate the jostling crowds on the strip, but he was discovering that those little things that used to bother him—people who always wore a Bluetooth headset, didn’t use turn signals, wore too much cologne—just didn’t anymore. This woman is turning my brain into cotton candy, all fluffy and sweet.

Always aware, however, of the trauma she’d been through recently, he pressed his lips to the top of her head. Sooo… are you okay? I know the fight was freaking you out there for a while.

Oksana stopped walking and stood on her toes, kissing his cheek. Stroking his shaved head affectionately, she said, Yes, that Preston man made me uncomfortable. He enjoyed punching that young guy a little too much. But I am okay now. I loved the rest of the fights and hearing everyone cheer for you.

Of course you did, he chuckled, always amazed by her easy affection for him. Are you excited about checking out that theater tomorrow? They had an appointment to see a real theater, which they hoped would be a good place to expand the creation of their show out of the little dance studio they were currently renting.

Still clinging tightly to his arm, Oksana closed her eyes as if to savor this moment. "I am so excited. As long as you are with me, I know I can do this." Neither of them really knew it, but they certainly hoped it was true.

Primo knew it was important for him to have absolute faith in Oksana’s ability to create a successful live show in this intimidating city. Her confidence was still shaky, weakened by demons of the recent past. Now was certainly not the time to make her talk about her experiences, to confront any guilt she felt about her past choices. I feel the same way, baby, it’s all going to fall into place.

Chapter Two

This is what happens when you stick a pair of sea captains in the sand, Daniella whispered to Tania. They couldn’t stop giggling at the antics of Cole and Jack Carleton, the handsome co-captains of the cruise ship Sunset. The brothers gathered cash from all comers for tonight’s drinking contest in this funky Vegas bar. Tall, tan, and powerfully lean, their blue eyes twinkling with mischief, the twin brothers circulated around the tavern with carefree grace and charm. Organizing bets on a drinking contest was their idea of fun while they enjoyed a break from their demanding jobs.

The women had been getting to know each other since Tania moved to Las Vegas from New Jersey. Tania’s sister, Oksana, and her boyfriend, Primo, were usually part of the gang when they went out after a day of working on Oksana’s dream project, a provocative Las Vegas dance show.

Where’s your sister, Tania? Where’s Primo? Daniella asked.

Tania raised her eyebrows and pointed toward the casino directly across the glittering boulevard. They’re at Secrets Casino, watching an ultimate fighting match at The Cage. Primo used to fight there. I’m sure they’ll be here before we’ve finished drinking these poor tourists out of their money. Suppressing a yawn, Tania wondered how much time it would take before she was no longer living on east coast time.

"Think about it—Jack and Cole work for eight months straight and take four months off—and this is what they choose to do?!" Daniella chuckled, exchanging a knowing look with Tania. Because they just got off the ship themselves, the women knew just how difficult the captains’ job was. Yet somehow during the voyage, Cole found time to pull Tania into a passionate relationship and Jack had seduced Daniella.

Though they were absolutely identical in appearance and energy level, Cole had pursued Tania with blistering intensity and Jack played it very cool, observing Daniella for a while before approaching her. I envy you, all those days you and Cole got to hang out on the ship, Daniella sighed. Didn’t he kiss you, like, the first day?

Tania felt herself flush, remembering how quickly she’d responded to Cole’s passionate advances. Even that first day, they’d done a lot more than kiss. He rescued me from an idiot harassing me in the boarding lounge before we even left the dock, she laughed, and then he escorted me up to a room near his in the captain’s quarters!

Daniella was thoughtful. I met Jack at staff orientation before the cruise but he didn’t approach me until the seventh day, when we left Liverpool. He seemed like a real calm, laid-back dude until… Now it was Daniella’s turn to blush when she recalled how skillfully Jack had maneuvered her into his bed – and how much she enjoyed it.

They approach things differently, Tania chuckled, but the end result is the same.

Yup. Good times and great sex! The women hugged, watching the dynamic brothers expertly work the room.

Taking care of 4,000 people and a ship worth over $700 million was no joke, but luckily the Carleton brothers were really good at it. At 38, they were ten years younger than any other captain on any other cruise ship in the world. Some of the older captains complained that they’d cheated, that the only reason they’d risen to the top of the fleet so quickly was because they were twins, or because they were handsome and sexy, or because they were handsome, sexy twins. Daniella had only two words to say when she heard those jealous rumors: Well, DUH!

The passengers loved them, and the media ate it up, including a photo of the sensational sea captains whenever there was a need for manly eye candy in the travel section. Sun Ships had the highest full-price occupancy rate of all cruise lines, a rate led by whatever ship the brothers were captaining at any given moment.

Now here they were in a bar in an alley off the Vegas strip. Cole and Jack moved from table to numbered table, each with its own beer dispenser in the middle. A screen on the back wall encouraged competition by displaying a running count of how many steins of beer each table consumed divided by how many drinkers at the table. After about two massive beers most people forgot to keep score.

Still, this was Vegas, baby, and people came to Las Vegas because they liked to gamble, right? It was no wonder Jack had no problem separating the hapless tourists who wandered into this divey bar from their money.

It began innocently enough with dollar bills, while the Las Vegas natives, known as Las Vegans, hung back on their drinking, letting the tourist newcomers get overconfident and think of themselves as champion boozers. Seeing probable victory on the scoreboard, they started upping the ante, handing Jack piles of nice, crisp twenty- and hundred-dollar bills until the pot was pretty darn sweet.

Hey, look who’s here to guard the money! Cole stood, hugged both Oksana and Primo and gestured for them to sit with them. He was only half kidding about guarding the money. Cole and Jack were big, strapping fellows, but Primo, at a pumped-up six foot five, dwarfed them. Oksana and Tania immediately started yakking away in their unique combination of Ukrainian and sister language.

Dontcha’ love a sucker bet? said Cole, elbowing Primo as he threw a pair of Benjamins onto the pile of cash Jack had collected. What the tourists didn’t know was that Cole and Jack’s table was inhabited by legendary drinkers, Las Vegans of Ukrainian descent, along with a bunch of circus folk taking a break from balancing their relatives, throwing knives, and juggling wooden pins. These were very thirsty people who, thanks to Jack’s judicious drinking strategy, would not only drink for free tonight, but get paid to do it.

The arm-bending rate at Jack’s table became astonishingly fast at around 11 p.m. as the midnight deadline approached. Overflowing steins of beer disappeared magically down the throats of muscular, slender people who looked as if they never touched the stuff. Primo filled beer steins so they were ready and waiting; as soon as one empty glass hit the table, the next went down the throat. Even Jack hadn’t thought of that particular bit of genius.

Hoo-ah! they cheered, the undisputed champions high-fiving each other when the clock struck midnight. Group members had adopted the military cheer from the Carleton brothers, since there were four languages spoken in the group, and Captain Jack was the guy who originated the hustle and handed out the money.

*

Because she was a featured dancer in Oksana’s new show, which was still in rehearsal, Daniella was grateful for the cash. Everyone in the cast, including most of the Ukrainians and circus people sitting at their table, was living on a very meager salary while the show was being developed.

Daniella’s finances, thin to start with, were now hanging by a thread. The voluptuous Latina had plenty of men dying to buy her a beer, hoping to touch her smooth olive skin and get up close and personal with her perky booty. But her personal life right now was a little… complicated. She was living with, and sexually involved with, a woman, and also had a thing going on with Captain Jack. Encouraging more attention seemed like an exhausting idea.

 Hey, Jack, she said, tapping his shoulder before he turned away, I notice you and Cole didn’t take your share. As a matter of fact, she pointed at Cole, "I think I saw you add money to the winner’s pile. What gives?"

Busted! Cole laughed, and slapped his brother on the back before he sat next to Tania, a tall, dark-haired brunette who gave him a kiss on the cheek. Hey, we’re on vacation and we don’t want to drink alone. Doesn’t this little game of ours do a great job of boosting your bar money?

A big, drunk bear of a guy with his Mets hat on backwards slammed a meaty hand on their table. "You can fucking boost my bar money, asshole! Which one of you is Captain Jack, and what the fuck are you the captain of?"

Jack drew himself up, trying to appear military, ship-shape, and not as drunk as he actually was. I’m… I’m… he rubbed his lips together woozily …the captain of over one thousand men and women who work on a ship bigger than a football field.

Mets Guy took his hat off and held it over his heart. Well, I respect people in the military. Jamming his hat back on, he added, But you gotta respect that I need to win my money back, ’cause I came all the way to Vegas from Brooklyn, and I need it. I fuckin’ wanna rematch wit’ my last hundred bucks!

Jack panicked for a moment, knowing he wasn’t going to win any kind of drinking contest right now. But Cole jumped in, hiding a smile under his Phillies cap. Hey man, we’re all drunk up and tapped out, but it’s true, it’s only fair to give you a chance. How ‘bout if you drink against my girlfriend, Tania, here? Oksana covered her mouth to hide her giggles, peeking through her fingers at the doomed Mets Guy.

Daniella was confused, but Tania gave her a wink, nodding an okay. Cole and Jack exchanged amused glances while Mets Guy took off his hat again, scratching his head in amazement. You’re betting I can’t drink that skinny bitch under the table? Done! he said as Cole threw a hundred on the table next to his.

After four shots, a crowd had gathered around the table, and both Tania and Mets Guy looked a little the worse for wear, the big guy wobbling to the left a little. It was Tania’s turn, and she closed her eyes and held the icy glass against her forehead, looking as if she was about to fold.

Hey, what happened to the shy Ukrainian girl? Jack asked his brother, hiding a smirk. They both knew Tania was faking the guy out and could drink everyone in the bar under the table.

Oh, she was never shy. Couldn’t afford to be with an alcoholic mom. Sweet, wants the best for everybody, but not shy. The more time Cole spent with Tania, the more he liked her.

They’d only met a few weeks ago, when she was a passenger on his ship, but he’d found many things to appreciate and admire about her. He was initially drawn to her confident stride, her long, long legs and broad shoulders topped off by a flirty smile. That first day in the boarding lounge of the cruise ship, he remembered thinking she was the perfect combination of Miss America and an Olympic volleyball player. When he got close to her, her big brown eyes and sweet ass reeled him the rest of the way in.

As he’d gotten to know Tania, her intelligent humor, kindness and lusty resilience impressed him on a daily basis. He felt himself sliding down that slippery slope into picket fence land, happily-ever-after land.

The problem was, neither he nor Tania had a real-life guide to that mythical country apparently inhabited by other people’s parents. He had to laugh at himself for even thinking of going down this road after being the guy who had flirted with and enjoyed anyone in a skirt most of his life.

*

Tania’s hand appeared to shake when she threw the shot down her throat, turned the glass over and lightly coasted it onto the table next to the others. OoooOOOooo, the crowd murmured, and more money was thrown on the table, since it seemed certain the Mets Guy would win.

The big guy took his Mets cap off and ran his fingers through his mop of curly hair, his eyes glassy. Using both hands to locate the shot glass, he almost missed his mouth before his lips closed around it and he threw his head back, tilting the chair back at the same time. Oh, shit! said somebody behind him when the chair hit the floor. Mets Guy lay there, his eyes closed, a shit-eating grin on his face.

I win! said Tania, throwing her hands up in the air and scooping up the cash while most of the crowd dragged their sorry asses out the door. The losers had no cash left to keep drinking, at least until they hit the ATM. Still, even the losers would come back for more, because Captain Jack’s crowd was so much fun, no one could hold a grudge.

"That is Vegas for you, Tania crowed, jumping up and down laughing with Daniella and Oksana. Cole and Jack joined the ladies when she held up her money, giddy with victory, and announced Bobby’s Burger Palace, on me! She was pleased with her use of slang like on me," because she’d been living in the states for only a few years, since she started nursing school. And she was proud to be able to buy something for Cole, who’d been treating her to wonderful meals and experiences ever since she quit her nursing job and moved here to Vegas.

Thanks so much, Tania, but I made some special plans for Oksana, said Primo. We’re celebrating… He winked and squeezed Oksana’s hand, "well, you know. Everything."

Tania did know what he meant. Only a few weeks ago, Jack, Cole, Primo and Tania had rescued Oksana from some nasty thugs and an uncertain future. It’s only 1 a.m., and we’re in Vegas, people! The night’s just getting started! Primo said.

As if on cue, Primo’s surprise for Oksana rolled up. This was Vegas, so of course it involved a guy in an Elvis costume.

Chapter Three

Oksana’s mouth fell open and she grabbed Primo’s arm, squealing with excitement when she saw the retro pink Cadillac convertible parked just outside the tavern. Aretha’s Pink Cadillac played on the car stereo and the driver, dressed in a sparkly Elvis costume, held the car door open.

Oh, my God, this is just… I cannot believe you remembered! Sitting on top of the backseat as they drove away, Oksana waved goodbye to Tania and the gang like a beauty queen in a parade.

She’d shown Primo a magazine picture of a pink Caddy exactly like this one when they flew here from London. In the photo, a smiling, wind-blown couple drove the jazzy old car down the Vegas Strip, which was lit by the massive digital billboards of the hotels lining Las Vegas Boulevard. That is my fantasy of Las Vegas, she’d said, and he laughed and