It’s 1955, Las Vegas is swinging, and David Lonergan has the chance of a lifetime when he accompanies his cousin to be the headlining act at the Thunderbird Casino. A pianist who cut his teeth in the jazz clubs of Chicago, David is a dazzled by the lights, the music, and the “anything goes” attitude of Las Vegas. But he’s not knocked off his feet until he meets Vincent “Shorty” Accardo.<br><br>Vincent is a full-time bodyguard and sometimes hitman for the mob-controlled casino. He doesn’t indulge his interest in men very often, but there’s something different about David from the moment they meet. He’s attracted to David’s talent, his surprising innocence, and his easy smile.<br><br.There are a million reasons to stay away from the young piano player, but Vincent can’t help himself. Even when there are lives at risk.

The Bad and the Beautiful

Chicago had its own attractions, and David had certainly seen his share of plenty of its clubs. But as they walked through the casino toward the lounge and restaurant, he felt like the country mouse transfixed by the city allure. The scents, the heat, the noise, it was all overpowering. Expensive perfumes battled with alcohol, the call of croupiers mingled with laughter. The actress he’d seen last night at the Thunderbird sat at a blackjack table between two expensively dressed young men, but hers wasn’t the only familiar face in the crowd. He had to deliberately focus on Jimmy and Kate in front of him in order not to stare.


Chapter 8