A Hunter Under The Mistletoe: All Is Bright / Heat of a Helios

Presumably visiting the property one evening on a stroll down the Strip, she’d seen Don butchering an installation, designed to look like a heard of African elephants marching in a row through the lobby. She’d berated Don, then ripped several tools from his grip. Evangeline was on her knees, patting a thick hoof into place in the lobby when Rafe had come upon her.

Gabe had quickly ushered Don away, saving what small amount of pride the man had left, leaving Rafe to deal with the dirt-stained harpy in his lobby. He’d nearly yelled right back at her until he saw the small, frustrated tears that filled the corners of her eyes.

And damn it to hell, if she hadn’t caught him by the balls in that moment, and all the moments since.

“I’m waiting, Mr. Stavros.”

Images of those big brown eyes, swimming with the lightest sheen of tears, faded in the face of those same eyes, alight in banked fury. “What are you talking about? If anything was burning on my property beyond the couples on the dance floor at Spark, I’d know about it.”

“Last night. The property outside the greenhouse. I saw a man burning.”

“Impossible.”

Rafe knew just how possible it was, but he held his ground, unwilling to break his gaze. “I am aware of all incidents that happen on property and nothing burned last night.”

“Then explain to me what I saw.”

Rafe folded his hands behind his back and stared down at her. He only had a slight height advantage and estimated her around five-nine or -ten to his six-two. “A late-night hallucination after pushing yourself for eighteen hours?”

“I know what I saw.”

“And I know what goes on here at the Archangel. We had no fire last night.”

The slightest tilt of her head was the only sign she mulishly didn’t believe him, but she was all business when she next spoke. “I brought the designs you requested.”

“Let’s get to them.” He gestured her to a seat at the long conference table that dominated the far wall of his office.

In moments, he had visions of a forest glade rising in his mind, scattered with wood nymphs, centaurs and sprites as she walked him through her designs. “You want an evil queen, too?”

“She has to be there.” Evangeline tapped on the edge of the layout, the paper equivalent of the west side of his lobby. “It’s an enchanted forest, drawing the guest from an inviting jaunt past the fairy glade farther and deeper into the installation. Once they realize they’re in the queen’s clutches, it’s too late to turn back.”

“And you can do this in a week?”

“With your approval my team will start construction of the basics this week. We’ll create the forms off-site and bring them in for the final installation just after the New Year.”

“No rest through Christmas?”

He wasn’t sure why it bothered him so much, the idea that she took no time for herself. He was no stranger to work, the casino business a twenty-four-hour-a-day job.

“I wasn’t aware the casino closed during the holidays. And I’ve made provisions in the timing to accommodate everyone’s reduced vacation schedules.”

“And what about you?” He laid a hand over hers. “Will you be taking some vacation?”

Her hand stiffened beneath his, but Rafe was intrigued to see she didn’t remove it. “I have no need of vacation time now.”

“Nor have you taken any since joining the Archangel?”

She slipped her hand from his, folding the large architectural rendering into a roll. “What’s this sudden interest in the hours I work?”

“I’m a concerned employer. All work and no play makes one dull and uninteresting.”

A small smile tugged the corner of her lips. “I spend my days doing what I love. Vacation is unnecessary.”

Rafe stilled, the security review he’d conducted at five that morning—post-recovery—filling his thoughts. “I love what I do, as well. It doesn’t negate the need to change the scenery every now and again. Do something simply for myself.”

She inclined her head ever so slightly, but didn’t back down. “As is your choice.”

“These designs are approved.”

The rapid change in subject had the desired effect, her eyes hazing over briefly as she sought to keep up. “Approved? Just done?”

“Yes.”

“No one else has to see them?”

“Who else would?”

“Right.”

When that cute look of confusion continued to stamp itself across her face, Rafe added, “I know quality when I see it. I also know an idea that will bring people into my casino, potentially enticing them to stay and play. Your fairy glade and evil witch will be a perfect enchantment once the holidays are over.”

“Thank you.”

“I only have one question.”

“What’s that?”

“What happens when they get past the evil queen?”

Evangeline tapped the rolled paper on the table, all confusion gone from her eyes. “It’s all up to the guest.”

“Oh?”

“They can turn right back the way they came. Or they can push past her and straight on through to the other side and try their luck in your casino.”

“Cowardice or greed, Miss Kennedy?”

“I’d say it fits most people to a T.”

He couldn’t say why his conversation with Evangeline unsettled him, but three hours later Rafe was still restless as he prowled the casino floor. He’d spent a few moments glad-handing the high rollers, thanking them for their business and ensuring they were comfortable with all the Archangel’s accommodations. As three of the five individuals he met with had been back several times, he took it as a noteworthy sign his staff was exceeding expectations—as expected.

After the floor visits he moved on up to Security. The command center was the heart of the property’s sophisticated security system and the high-tech room boasted a setup as slick as NASA, only with newer equipment. He and his brother had maintained his father’s practice—all technology was upgraded annually.

The Archangel was their business and their sanctuary and they were committed to it staying profitable and safe. As a result, the security team was handpicked and compensated handsomely for seeing to both.

“Floor’s looking good today.” Charlie, the husband of one of Rafe’s multitude of cousins, greeted him. The grizzled ex-marine had shoulders like a linebacker and eyes as flat as a cobra. And two pictures of his one-year-old twin daughters dotted his console, both decked out in frilly pink.

“No issues with the weeklong bachelor party in quadrant six?”