Collecting Beauty Special Edition

One reckless night. One dangerous man. One choice that changes everything.

On the eve of my arranged marriage to a mafia stranger, I crave one last taste of freedom. 

Vegas is the perfect escape, and the infamous Virago promises sin without consequence.

But when I intercept a call for 'entertainment' to the Penthouse, I make a reckless decision—I convince the receptionist that I’m the woman for the job. One night, one stranger, no regrets.

Then I meet him.

Dangerously handsome. Sinfully wicked. The kind of man who devours innocence and leaves nothing behind. The perfect man to take what I’ll never offer my future husband.

It’s just one night. At least I thought it was because when dawn breaks and I walk down the aisle, the man waiting at the altar watches my approach with a face like thunder.

I thought what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas but I was wrong and the consequences prove deadly.

The Virago. Scene of decadence, aspiration, hope and devastation. 

All around me is noise from the machines, crowds of people, and music. It’s an assault on my senses that I really need right now because my life is about to be torn apart. 

“Sierra.” Carly’s voice is slurred, her eyes glassy and her hair disheveled. She attempts to stagger to her feet but drops back onto the purple cushions with a cute giggle.

“Oops. I may have had a tiny bit too much to drink.”

Adele frowns and catches my eye with an exaggerated eye roll. She has zero tolerance and is a one glass of wine per night girl. Her entire life operates on a strict regime, calculated to bring her success and maximum opportunity.

“Perhaps you should head back. I’ll settle the check.” I whisper as Carly reaches for the empty bottle of the finest champagne.

Adele nods and fixes Carly with a stern, “Party’s ended princess. Your four poster bed and blissful oblivion awaits.”

“Spoilsport.”

Carly shakes her head in theatrical distress. “But we must celebrate. It’s the wedding tomorrow, and this is our final night of freedom.”

“Which is exactly why you need your beauty sleep, because when you walk down that aisle, you want admiring glances and not pitying ones.”

Adele sighs heavily and I stand and help grip Carly’s other arm and hoist her from her seat and as Adele links her arm firmly with our erratic friend’s, she says with a touch of concern. “Are you sure, Sierra? I mean, I could settle up if you like.”

“I’m good, thanks.”

My smile is bright, but inside I am dying a slow, painful death at the thought of tomorrow. No wonder Carly drank so much. Oblivion is probably the best possible state of mind to be in right now.

As they stagger away, I note the raised eyes following them and the nudges of a couple of women who are watching two suited men play blackjack.

I feel bad for my friend because she’s not usually this inebriated. None of us are—ever. We are what’s known as good girls most of the time. But not tonight. Not in Carly’s mind, anyway.

With a sigh, I gather my purse and raise my hand, and as the waiter heads my way, I brandish my credit card.

In two seconds flat, five hundred dollars is charged to my card and I don’t give it a second thought. It’s not as if I ever see the statement, anyway. I spend and forget—or is it that I spend to forget?

The hotel is lavish and the fees are high. It’s what my family expects and sometimes I wish I could experience something less salubrious. Many would call me mad, and they would be right, but the way I live brings with it a certain kind of madness that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.

* * *

The reception area is almost deserted and only one woman is working. She possesses an air of boredom that I share, and as our glances collide, she smiles wearily.

“Good evening, madam.”

“You’re working late.”

“It’s part of the job. I’m used to it.”

The phone rings and she smiles apologetically.

“I’m sorry. I should get this. It’s the penthouse.”

I half turn away and glance at my phone as she answers.

“Front desk. How may I help you?”

Her sharp intake of breath takes my attention and as I catch her expression, she appears horrified.

“It’s, well, um–”

She is tripping over her words and then says with a worried frown. “I’ll do my best, sir.”

“Problem?”

She replaces the receiver and says in a whisper, “You will never guess what he asked for?”

“What?”

I lean forward and she glances around her and says in a hushed whisper, “He asked me to arrange entertainment.”

“As in?”

She blushes and then obviously thinks better of it and, taking a deep breath, says with a smile, “I shouldn’t say. It’s confidential, after all.” 

She gathers herself and obviously remembers her position and says professionally, “Can I help you with anything, madam?”

“My key, thanks.”

She turns to her computer and removes a lanyard and swipes it into the machine.

“Here you go.”

As I take the lanyard, I note the stricken expression in her eye and from God only knows where this sentence has been hiding I say impulsively, “I can help you.”

“I don’t understand.”

It’s now my turn to glance around and I lean closer and whisper, “Your guest wants entertainment and I’m guessing it’s the female kind.”

She nods and I swallow the red flags and smile brightly. “That’s my specialty, just don’t tell the management.”

Her eyes widen and I summon my inner harlot to the surface and shrug.

“My client called to cancel and I have an opening, for want of a better word.”

Despite her obvious shock, she struggles to suppress her laughter and then shrugs.

“Why not? It would certainly help me out.”

Once again, she removes another lanyard and attaches a card to it that she swipes through the machine.

“Here you go. Take the elevator to the penthouse. He is expecting you.”

As my fingers close around the silk lanyard, the horror of my situation is socking me from all sides. What the fuck have I done? This is the worst idea of my entire life and yet I have never experienced exhilaration like this.

This is my moment to stick two fingers up at the world I live in and wrestle back control of my life. Just picturing my family’s expressions, if they were to see me now, makes it all worthwhile.

The trouble is, I am in unexplored territory and this may come back and bite me and, in all probability, that bite would be fatal.