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

“You can’t? What does that mean?”


“It means…” He floundered for the words. They escaped him at the easiest of times, like dead leaves caught in a gale. Now, they refused to even acknowledge his presence. “We shouldn’t do that.”


“Two days ago, you were begging me not to stop.”


“I know.” God, did he know. In between the dreams, the memories of those hours made him ache. “I wasn’t thinking straight. You found me when I was smoking.”


Vince’s lips tightened into a thin line, and his eyes hardened. David had never been on the receiving end of that particular look before, and his blood turned to ice water. “You knew what you wanted.”


His nostrils flared and he brought the tumbler up to his mouth. David could only watch as he downed what remained of the booze in a single swallow. He set the glass down on the side table, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, and pushed himself to his feet.


Chapter 28