Into The Night

“Maybe if you had someone to take home, you’d feel differently.” Sean grinned wolfishly as he cleared a few dirty glasses from the counter. “I know for a fact the redhead over there is single and looking for a good time.” He gave a subtle nod toward the young, perky-looking woman sitting across the bar who was nursing a frothy drink while casting seductive looks toward Sean whenever he happened to glance her way.

Nathan shook his head. “I think she’s pining for you, my friend.”

“So many women, so little time.” Sean sighed but didn’t seem put out. He habitually juggled more than one woman at a time. “Seriously, if you’re looking for a good night’s sleep, getting laid will do the trick.”

“I don’t think it would help. Not tonight, anyway.” Nathan took a long drink of his root beer before sharing the real reason why he was sitting at the bar at two in the morning. “Caleb put me on a case and the gears are shifting and grinding, if you know what I mean.”

Sean, also a Reliance team member, nodded in understanding. “I totally get it. Let me know if you need a refill.”

Sean moved on to a new customer who’d taken a seat at the bar, an older gentleman who appeared down on his luck. Nathan took a sip of his soda and watched Sean give the man a friendly pep talk as he poured his drink, making his customer laugh at something he said. The gift of gab was one of Sean’s many skills, a knack he’d mastered as a former con artist and used to his advantage when bartending, as well as on cases with TRG.

Despite Sean’s shady past and the time he’d spent behind bars for his scams, thanks to Caleb he’d cleaned up his act and was now a valued operative of The Reliance Group. Many of TRG’s team members either had secrets in their pasts or carried physical and emotional scars that could have destroyed their lives. Yet Caleb had seen beyond their flaws and had given them a reason to turn past mistakes into something positive. He’d given them a chance to redeem themselves and reclaim their self-respect.

Just like Nathan and the Ramsey case.

Before he could get mired in the darker thoughts he’d been resisting for most of the night, Valerie Downing slid onto the vacant bar stool beside Nathan, surprising him with her sudden appearance. Valerie was a casino host at The Onyx, where she catered to patrons’ and players’ whims to keep their business, and their gambling, confined to The Onyx. Her psychic abilities, however, made her an integral part of The Reliance Group.

Friendly as well as beautiful, Valerie flashed him a smile that lit up her soft brown eyes with threads of gold. “You’re just the man I’ve been looking for.”

Immediately thinking she was having a security issue with one of her clients, Nathan became alert. “Is there a problem on the floor?”

She shook her head, her silky brown hair sweeping across her shoulders with the movement. “No worries. This isn’t about work. It’s more about… pleasure.”

Out of nowhere, Sean appeared on the other side of the counter. “You’ve got my attention.”

Valerie laughed, the husky sound filled with a wealth of amusement. “You are so easy, O’Brien.”

He grinned like the rogue he was. “Only when it comes to pleasure.”

She rolled her eyes. “I need a favor, and I’m hoping one of you will come through for me. Keep in mind what I’m about to ask you to do is for a very good cause.”

Nathan was immediately suspicious. A quick glance at Sean told him the bartender wasn’t nearly as eager to step up to the plate now that pleasure was no longer the sole focus of their conversation.

“Good causes don’t come without some kind of personal sacrifice, Val,” Nathan said, and finished off the last of his root beer.

“A monetary donation is definitely involved, and I’ll need your time, too. About three hours of it.” She glanced from Nathan to Sean, her expression oh-so-hopeful. “Is either of you free tomorrow after six?”

The question caught Nathan off guard, and he tried to think fast… except he already knew he had nothing planned.

“You know, I just remembered I have a date tomorrow night,” Sean interjected smoothly, appearing apologetic, but Nathan knew better. “I’m really sorry.”

“Bummer.” Valerie sounded truly disappointed, then she switched her optimistic gaze to Nathan. “How about you, Nath? Are you free? And before you answer that question, remember that you owe me a favor.”

He lifted a brow. “I do?”

She nodded, looking much too confident for Nathan’s comfort. “Remember last week with Trey Blackmore?”

Nathan groaned, recalling the incident too well. Blackmore was one of The Onyx’s high rollers, a whale who dropped hundreds of thousands of dollars in the casino during his visits without flinching. Yes, the man was filthy rich and an asset to The Onyx’s coffers, but he was also an arrogant bastard who was always trying to bend gambling rules and regulations because he believed he was entitled.

Just last week Nathan had gotten into a heated argument with Blackmore when he’d once again overstepped his boundaries with one of the pit bosses, and it had taken Valerie interceding to smooth things over. Her job was to keep their whales content and satisfied so they didn’t take their gambling elsewhere, and she’d managed to placate Blackmore’s ego while making sure he conformed to Nevada state gaming law.

Yeah, Nathan owed her for that one.

Fine. Whatever she needed, he could handle. How bad could her request be, anyway? It sounded like a fundraiser-type event, and at worst he’d have to attend some kind of shindig and schmooze for a few hours. He really wasn’t in the mood, but for Valerie, he’d help out.

“Okay.” He would suck this one up for good karma in the future. “Whatever you want, whatever you need, I’ll do it for you.”

“You are the best, Nathan.” The smile she gave him spilled over with gratitude. “And who knows, you might even enjoy yourself.”

The sudden mischievous gleam in her eyes sent a ripple of unease through him. “What, exactly, are you recruiting me for?”

“Actually, it’s for a good friend of mine, who is an event planner. She’s hosting an event where all the proceeds are donated to the battered women’s shelter. There’s just a few itty-bitty details you need to know ahead of time so you understand exactly what’s required of you.”

There were requirements. Great. “I’d be really happy if a suit and tie weren’t involved.”

“No, it’s a casual affair. Nice slacks and a collared shirt will be fine,” she said, making him extremely happy with the low-key dress code. “The event is being held at Simply Fondue, from six to nine tomorrow night.”

He’d heard of the five-star restaurant, located on the Vegas Strip, but had never been there. He didn’t see himself as a fondue type of guy, but he’d endure it for the sake of charity.

“This is a speed-dating charity event,” she said, her words fast and rushed, leaving no room for interruption. “There’s a cocktail hour, which will segue into the speed-dating game for another hour or so, and a bit of socializing afterward. It’s really easy and simple and fun. And it’s a great way to meet women. Nice women.”

Sean, who’d been standing nearby drying wineglasses, choked back laughter. “Oh, man, you are so screwed.”

What the hell? Nathan’s head spun, and not necessarily in a good way. “What in the world is speed dating ?”

“Just the newest way to meet the opposite sex,” Valerie said, then went on to explain how it all worked. “It’s a fun process that eliminates the awkwardness of meeting new people, or spending hours with a person you may not connect with.”

He gave his head an adamant shake. “I don’t have a problem meeting, or mingling with, the opposite sex.”

She delivered a quick, placating squeeze to his arm. “Nobody said you did. And just because you participate in the game doesn’t mean you’re going to marry one of the women you meet.” The sigh that escaped her sounded