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

“Does it bother you?” He remembered Vince’s fear about having to hurt the wife, sparking his own fears for Kate. “Don’t you worry you’re going to get hurt because of Jimmy?”


She shrugged. “Sometimes, sure. Would I like it better if he was legit? Yeah, but there’s nothing I can do about it. He does what he can to protect me. He’d probably lock me in a cage if I let him. But that’s part of who he is. His business part. The rest of him…I love the rest of him. He treats me like gold, he’s funny, he’s generous, he’s good-looking. What more could I ask for?”


Stated like that, David had no way to argue. She was right about how Jimmy treated her. He’d never seen Kate so happy. Until the last couple days, he’d never been so happy, either, and he knew for a fact that wasn’t all because of getting to play in Vegas.


“So you’re really going to go to this?”


“Of course. I have to support Jimmy. Everybody goes, David. It’s a show of respect.”


Chapter 29