Chapter 1: Night of secrets

Wilson's POV

At night, Las Vegas is a visual feast of possibilities. The Strip is alive, a swirl neon that promises adventure and glazes the eyes. Tonight, the Sinclair Grand Casino is the most brilliant lighthouse among them;it hosts an extravagant celebration attracting the elite in the city. Wilson Sinclair, the proprietor of the casino,is the king and host of this shining realm.

I go across the assembly, giving courteous smiles and strong handshakes. The champagne comes freely, and the laughing and clinking glasses produce a harmonic symphony. Though the mood is festive, my mind is elsewhere, consumed with ideas for my next company action and the always hovering presence of my competitor, Henry Carter.

Henry and I are clearly rivals. Owning the second most successful casino in Las Vegas the Orion. Each of us is always striving to outmaneuver the other in the pursuit of supremacy, our rivalry is intense. Still, tonight I am resolved to have fun if only for a few hours.

Stepping out onto the balcony, I pause to inhale the cold night air away from the commotion and tumult inside. The city is stunning, a reminder of all I have created. But the sound of a soft footfall behind me breaks my still moment. "Mr Sinclair,"a voice says, assuredly and smoothly.

Turning to find a woman silhouetted by ballroom light, I see her features; long , wavy auburn hair, piercing green eyes, and a quiet strength that quickly enthralled me show themselves as she approaches. She is beautiful, and I can't quite put her familiar quality.

I say, smiling, "Call me Wilson." and you are?

"Emma." Emma Larkin says, her eyes locking with mine with such intensity it shocks me. "I assist Henry Carter."

When Henry comes up, my smile stumbles a little, but I straighten myself immediately. Emma, what drives you out here tonight? Surely you are not here only to take in the scenery. She smiles, with a trace of mystery about her. "I had to get away from the celebration. And I found it fascinating to learn about the main rival of my manager.

Is that so? Inspired, I slant against the railing. And what do you want to learn? "Whatever you are ready to share," she replies in a low seductive voice. "People are often more open in unplanned meetings, " I say

She seems to have a magnetic pull that I cannot resist. We chat for some time, the underlying tension of our different loyalties flowing naturally in the conversation. Unquestionably, we have a spark between us that causes the air to buzz with power.

The celebration disappears from view as the evening progresses. We are in a quiet area of the casino apart from curious onlookers. We are clearly attracted, and before I know it we are locked in a passionate embrace as the surroundings vanish as we submit to the moment.

Then reality starts to leak back in as we lie twisted in the sheets. I understand that what we have just discussed is complex and twisted in the Web of our daily work. I brush such ideas aside for now,though, concentrating on Emma's sensation in my arms. "Wilson," she says, her voice slightly dubious. "What happens now?"

With fingers still on her cheek, I sweep a strand of hair from her face. "We go one step at a time now. There are no expectations or guarantees. Just observe where this leads. She nods, but from her eyes I sense concern. Unanswered questions abound, and so too are possible repercussions. Still, tonight none of that counts. Tonight we are only two people caught in something unanticipated and potent

Emma is gone before I wake in the morning, only a letter on the pillow remains. "Thank you for last night. I will get back in touch. "

I fix my eye on the mote, my mind racing with ideas of what this implies for the rivalry with Henry, for us, and for me. I have no idea, though, that a sequence of events will transform everything. Days stretch into weeks, and Emma eludes me from my subconsciousness. Though there is nothing, I keep hoping to see her and hear from her. I begin to wonder if that evening was a mistake or if she might have decided to stick to Henry always. Then one evening I'm looking over some records in my office when my phone rings. Though the number is unknown, something guides me in response. "I say, "Wilson Sinclair "

Wilson, Emma is here. Her voice is unsteady, her tone clearly shows tension. "I should see you." It's vital. "Emma, what's wrong? My heart thrashes in my chest, a mixture of relief and anxiety. "I cannot have a phone conversation. See me on Fremont Street in the old Chapel. Kindly, haste. The line falls silent and I find myself staring at my phone, driven by urgency into action. My mind racing with ideas, I grab my keys and go. Given her need to meet in secret, what could be so crucial? The Chapel is empty when I get there; it's once grand front is now collapsing and covered with graffiti. Emma is seated beside the door, her body stiff and nervous. I shout out,"Emma," walking towards her. What's going on? She looks at me, determination mixed with terror in her eyes. Wilson, I am expecting. And the twins, you own them. As her comments sink in, the ground appears to move under me. Twinhood! My daughters. The ramifications are astounding; for a time I cannot find my voice. "Are you sure?" My head whirling,I at last ask. She nods and tears spring to her eyes. "Yes, I am certain. And Henry doesn't know as well. He is ignorant.

"Why did you wait to tell me?" My voice is more sharp than I want, and the shock and uncertainty flow over. Her voice cracking, she continues, "I tried " Still you me away. And then Wilson, I became afraid. Terrified of what Henry would do and for what this would mean for each of us. I inhale deeply to try to sort everything. Emma,what do we do right now? How ought we to address this? "I'm not sure," she says, clearly terrified. But we have to work through it collectively. The silence was broken before I could answer by the sound of a car drawing near. Turning to find a sleek black vehicle pulling up, it's tinted windows hide the occupants. The doors open, and two men walk out with austere, concentrated looks. One of them, Emma Larkin, says, her voice icy, Mr Carter wishes to see you. These days Emma's face goes white, and she moves towards me automatically. "Wilson, please...," I advance, positioned between Emma and the men. "She is not travelling anywhere with you. The men exchange a glance; then the one who spoke steps forward and points a gun at me "Don't complicate matters, Sinclair. Not your struggle. Like hell it isn't, I growl, my adrenaline rising. Get behind me, Emma.

The next several seconds blur movement and sound. One of the guys charges at Emma and I instinctively tackle him to the ground. The gun sounds thunderous in the still night. My shoulder hurts, but I continue since my only thought is to shield Emma.

"Run!" I yelled, grappling with the man under me. Emma pauses momentarily then turns and disappears into the night. The second man goes after her, but I shove him off balance to give her some valuable seconds. Stars burst behind my eyes as the man carrying the gun bangs his fist into my face. Sinclair, you are seriously erasing a mistake. I mutter, spitting blood, "maybe," "But it's my mistake to make. " The fight goes on, but my will is starting to fade. I know I can't hold out much more, the agony in my shoulder is great. Emma has to be given an opportunity to flee, though, to shield our kids. I hear the wail of sirens far away as my vision blurs. The men glance at each other, then rush to their feet and back to their car. Glaring at me, the one carrying the gun seems to be intending retribution. He snarls before they head off, "This isn't over," leaving me battered and bleeding on the ground. Hours later, I wake in a hospital bed, my shoulder bandaged and throbbing. The room is poorly lit, and a nurse stands by the door, her demeanor sympathetic. "Mr Sinclair, you are lucky to be alive," she continued. "The police are here, and they have some questions for you." I nod, still foggy in my head from medicine and suffering. Emma...is she safe?.The nurse assures me she is fine. She left. But you need to focus on getting better. You've been through a lot. As the nurse steps out to fetch the police, I close my eyes, relief and determination flooding through me. Emma and the twins are safe, for now.

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