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

“In Hollywood? No, he’ll be fine. He’ll get himself a nice new mansion to go along with his new wife, and he probably won’t attract any more attention than any other starlet’s husband.”


Any other time, the news about Kate’s upcoming marriage would’ve been enough to distract him, but it was nothing compared to the prospect of life in California without Vince. “A vacation means you’ll only be gone for a few weeks, though, right?”


“No. It means I’m going to lay low somewhere until they call me and tell me they need me. Here, or Chicago, or New York. I’m going to catch a flight out on Sunday morning.”


Sunday was only five days away. Five days before Vince left for good. Five days until David’s life went back to the way it had been before, when all he had was his music and the knowledge that something deep down had to be seriously wrong with him.


Chapter 40