What Happens in Vegas…

Lucas was taken to the infirmary and Rambo was dubbed the winner—until it was found out that it was a death match, and then it was completely thrown out altogether.

Shawna’s sister, Devon, was cleaning up Lucas as Layla interrogated everyone who was around, much to Lucas’s surprise. He’d never seen her so angry.

“Did you know?” Layla stood toe to toe with Shawna, who shook her head. “Did you?”

Shawna sighed. “Honey, Lucas doesn’t do those matches, and I wouldn’t have let him either.”

“I’m calling Tim. What about you?” Layla yelled at Rambo, whose real name was Rhodes.

“Little girl, don’t test me…”

“Don’t you fucking talk to her like that or I will fucking kill you,” Lucas snarled.

“I didn’t know.” Rhodes shook his head. “I wouldn’t kill someone for a mere ten grand, honey.”

Layla couldn’t even look at Lucas without imagining him dead in that ring.

“Come here, you.” Lucas smiled at Layla, one eye swollen shut. “I should be fucking angry with you.”

“No, you shouldn’t,” Gretchen spoke up. “If she hadn’t gotten her panties in a wad, you’d be dead—one way or another. I found out that even if Rhodes hadn’t taken you out, another guy would have.”

“I saw Liam.”

“The fuck? Where?” Lucas sat up, brushing off Devon. “He’s here?”

“I saw someone who looked a lot like him.” Layla sighed. “I mean, I really think it was him, but he was going to the VIP box that you wouldn’t have been able to see from our angle.”

Lucas motioned for his bag, which Shawna handed him. Calling Liam, Courtney confirmed they were all still in Galveston.

“Lucas, I’m not crazy. This person looked just like him.” Layla shook her head.

“You’re not crazy,” Lucas said, stepping off the table and rounding a corner to put his street clothes on. “Come in here, Layla.”

Layla rounded the corner as Lucas gathered her up in his arms.

“Don’t come back here—ever again. Promise me.”

“No.”

“No?”

“If you can’t promise me that you won’t come back then I’m not going to either. I saved your life tonight and I—I can’t… Lucas…”

Her sobs broke him. She was getting too wrapped up in him.

“This is a dangerous—”

“Stop. You could have died. You were set up, and you’re mad at me for stepping in?” Layla was flustered. “Then go to hell. Stay here. Fight to the death. I’m leaving.”

Before he could grab her, Layla and Gretchen were walking out of the infirmary into a dimly lit hall, a corridor that didn’t have many people in it, which was surprising.

“Layla!” Lucas called after her. “Get your ass back here.”

“No! I can’t watch you die, and I can’t sit home thinking you’re in the middle of dying in this place!”

Layla turned around and Lucas plowed into her. Just like the time at the pizzeria, he caught her and held her close.

“I won’t do this, Lucas. I can’t.”

Gretchen lingered nearby. Layla had never been this way with Paul, or any other man for that matter, but no other man was Lucas Foster.

“This is me, Layla. It’s who I am. It’s what I do…”

“Well, you’ll be a dead you pretty soon, Lucas.”

“I—I’m sorry.” Lucas hung his head and stared at the floor. “Thank you…thank you for coming to see me get my ass handed to me.”

“Your girlfriend is handing your ass to you, Lucas,” Gretchen piped up. “All the shit she’s going through and you’re going to come here tonight?”

“It’s what I do. How the fuck was I supposed to know this was a death match?”

“Then just fuck me, Lucas. Take it all out on me.” Layla was practically begging him to do to her what he said was always the best release.

Gretchen decided that was her cue to walk away, and she gave them some space.

“No. I don’t… I can’t…”

“Why? What’s changed?”

Lucas’s phone rang, and he sighed but answered it. He couldn’t tell her that she was his release, but he didn’t want to use her like that anymore. Things were…different.

“Tim, what the actual fuck?!” Lucas walked away to talk with his friend while Layla leaned up against the wall, the lights flickering overhead.

Lucas had continued walking down the hall, and Gretchen was scrolling her phone down at the other end.

She felt like she was back in the corridor at the mall and called for Gretchen, who came back quickly.

“So, is the big guy gonna quit or what?”

“I don’t know. I need him too.”

“There’s more here, isn’t there?”

“What do you mean?”

Gretchen cocked her head to the side and smiled. “I’ve known you for a lifetime, and you can’t tell me that you aren’t falling for him.”

“What? No. I don’t want a dead boyfriend on my hands,” Layla said, staring down at where Lucas was standing.

“Are you sure? I mean, this? Vegas? He’s taking you to Oklahoma…”

“That’s what boyfriend do, Gretch.”

“That’s what potential husbands do, girl.”

“Oh, stop! Shhh…he’s coming back.” Layla smiled.

“Yeah, don’t wet yourself,” Gretchen whispered jokingly.

“Tim had no clue. He’s talking to everyone he knows about what happened tonight, and I’m banned from fighting because of you.” Lucas leaned close to Layla’s face. “Are you happy?”

“Yes,” Layla said defiantly. “I hope you never fucking come back here again.”

She turned and walked in the direction of the exit, leaving Gretchen with Lucas.

“Bro, you need to fucking chill out—as usual. That woman saved your ass. Your life! She risked hers to do it. Grow up and be the man you said you’d be for her,” Gretchen said, pushing off the wall and heading to her friend.

“Dammit,” Lucas muttered. “Layla! Layla, wait!”

Layla stopped. She wanted to. She needed him.

“What?”

“I’m not mad at you. I could never be mad at you, baby girl. I’m angry at whoever is trying to hurt us—not at you.”

Layla—who was over the bullshit and the crying—leaned into him again and sighed. “Can we just go home?”

Giving Gretchen a ride to her car, Lucas made sure to follow her home, even if he had to take the long way. He didn’t mind. He wanted to make sure she was safe too.

“How’s your eye? And how the hell do you drive here not knowing if you can drive home?”

“I’m always able to drive home.”

Layla wasn’t going to argue and remind him that he had been about to die that night, so she kept her thoughts to herself.

“You ready for Vegas?” he asked her, changing the subject.

She’d forgotten all about Vegas. “You still want to go?”

“Of course I do. I’ll take Shawna if you don’t go with me,” he teased, but Layla rolled her eyes.

“I heard you called my name one night while you were fucking her.”

“Wow. You’ve gotten a little feisty tonight. She shouldn’t have told you that. I felt bad.” He still chuckled about it though.

“I’m just—I’m tired.”

“I won’t go back.”

“I can’t stop you.”

“While we’re together, I won’t go back. You have my word.”

Layla gazed over at him, and he was nodding. She knew he meant it, knew he’d keep his word to her, and that made her feel better.

Once back at the house, Layla started the shower for Lucas. His wounds were superficial; the guy could take a hit.

“Get your ass in here,” he said as she watched him shower. Layla, still reeling from earlier, didn’t want to stay mad at Lucas, so she joined him.

“I am not in the mood…”

“Baby girl, I just want you near me.”

They showered together, making eye contact every few moments. Lucas could see she was so upset—too upset. That wasn’t what he wanted for her.

“Layla, please…”

“I’m not mad, Lucas, I’m worried. How many times do I have to say it?”

He gathered her up in his arms and held her for what seemed like an eternity. The water ran cold, and they spoke very little while settling into the bed.

“Did you let your parents know?”

“That I am here? Yes.”

Lucas was grim. She wasn’t near him like he wanted her to be. She was cold, and that wasn’t like her.

He heard her sniffles and knew that she was trying her damnedest to hold herself together.

“Layla…”

Rolling over, she buried herself in his arms and sobbed.

“I don’t want to lose you, Lucas. I don’t know what’s going on between us, but I just cannot lose you.”

It didn’t take long for them to drift off to sleep, though Layla’s nightmares came once again…

~“Such a pretty face. A pretty little freckled fancy face—doll face. That’s what I’ll call you. Doll Face,” the gross man was saying to her, inching closer to her face.~

~“Please, stop hurting me…,” Layla sobbed, her eyes covered with a blindfold now. How many days? How many times? What had she done to deserve this?~

~“Oh, Doll Face, you’re so precious.” ~

~His hands, his greasy, grimy, disgusting hands were everywhere…everywhere they shouldn’t be.~

~“I want my mama…” Layla trembled, the cool air touching her naked little body.~

~“Where’s the other guy who was supposed to get here at five? I’m knocking her ass out if he ain’t coming.”~

~Another voice. Another and another…~

~“He’ll be here. He’s paying…”~

~“No!”~

Layla woke up screaming. She searched the room as Lucas turned on the nightstand lamp, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

“What is it, baby? Another dream?”

“I—I think…” Layla flopped back down onto the mattress as Lucas held her close. “I don’t know what I think…”

It didn’t take long for her to drift back to sleep, while Lucas slowly slipped out of bed to finish off his bottle of whiskey. He wasn’t telling her about his flashbacks. He was living them.

***

“I hate flying,” Lucas mumbled as they got on the plane for Vegas.

“I don’t like it either,” Layla said, settling in her middle seat.

When a good-looking younger man sat down next to her, Lucas had her move to the window.

“Really, Lucas?” She smiled, shaking her head.

“I don’t know him. He could try and hurt you.”

“You’re more paranoid that I am.”

“I am protective of you. It’s not paranoia.”

“You’re jealous.”

“Probably.”

Once they reached Vegas and grabbed the rental car, the two were growing more and more excited about checking into the Bellagio.

“We hope you enjoy your stay, and congratulations!” the front desk clerk said.

Layla and Lucas smiled.

“Thanks?” Layla shrugged.

Her eyes were twinkling, taking in the atmosphere of the grand hotel. Lucas had been there before. He’d spent many weekends with many women in Las Vegas, but not one of them held a candle to his little hippie.

“This is the biggest hotel I’ve ever been to. It’s so beautiful.”

Lucas enjoyed watching her dive into the moment. He was happy to get them away from their reality for a while.

Opening the room, Lucas and Layla stepped inside, and both of their jaws dropped to the floor.

“Oh my goodness!!!” Layla rushed past Lucas and looked down at the city. “We can see the fountains from here!”

Lucas motioned for the bellhop to bring in the luggage, tipped him, and got yet another congratulations.

“Look, buddy, I get we won the raffle, but what gives?”

The bellhop smiled. “Sir, you’re booked into the honeymoon suite.”

Layla whirled around as Lucas’s cheeks turned a deep red. His blushing was definitely not lost on her.

“Oh, well, thank you…” Lucas winked at Layla.

The young man smiled and left the room, taking the luggage trolley with him.

“What?!” Layla laughed as she tossed herself onto the bed. “Was this intentional?”

Lucas chuckled, shaking his head. “No, I don’t think it was, baby girl, but here we are…”

Layla rushed to the restroom. ~“Lucas! there’s a Jacuzzi in here!”~

Lucas sat down on the edge of the bed and messaged his men. He’d had an entire entourage of bodyguards set up around the hotel and in the city for their safety.

“Are you all right?” Layla popped her head out of the bathroom and grinned at Lucas.

“I am more than all right, Little Hippie.” He smiled, joining her in the bathroom. “We’re going to flood their floor.”

“Oh, hush…” Layla blushed. “We’ll get in there later.”

“I have made reservations at the Top of the World restaurant for this evening, baby girl.”

Layla’s eyes were as wide as saucers.

“Lucas…” She jumped into his arms and it just felt right. Everything felt…right.

“I guess you’re happy with my decision? I’m sorry I didn’t run it by you first.”

Layla smiled. “I am very happy with your decision.”

Having arrived earlier in the morning, the two spent most of their time on the Strip, and Lucas got a kick out of Layla taking a million pictures.

“I don’t want to forget anything about this place,” she told him.

It didn’t matter to him. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her. Vegas was nothing compared to the woman he had with him.

They took a nap after walking for many miles, entering every shop along the way.

***

“Are you having a good time?” Lucas asked, holding on to her soft, tiny hand as they made their way out to dinner that night.

“So far, yes!” Layla was so enthusiastic that she couldn’t contain herself. “I know, I know. I sound so silly, but I love it here. It’s so…exciting and bright!”

Lucas couldn’t help but take it all in—especially her. He wanted to take her in more.

The Top of the World restaurant experience was even better than they’d both imagined.

He was dressed in nice black slacks and dress shoes, a white dress button-down dress shirt, and a black blazer, while Layla had on a baby blue floral print swing dress and blue flats.

She’d placed little butterfly barrettes in her bouncing auburn curls and had waited forever to wear her mother’s pearl necklace, bracelet, and earring set.

She’d bought a matching sheer shawl earlier in the day.

“You look…ravishing,” Lucas said as they walked into the restaurant together.

“You clean up well.” She smiled at him as they got their table and dove right into conversation.

Nothing about them wanted to remember the events of the last few weeks, so they talked about everything else—future plans, Lucas’s land, getting Lucas a dog, Layla’s graduation ceremony…

It was over before too long, and they found themselves full and content as they left the Top of the World.

Arm and arm, the two walked for a good while before Lucas’s phone rang. Layla let him answer it, walking off to take a peek at a small wedding chapel with neon signs in front of it.

“Tell me something,” Lucas demanded.

“A car has been tailing the two of you all night. The plates are bogus,” Heath said. “He or she is just around the corner.”

“Since we got here?”

“We didn’t see it or anything suspicious until you both headed to dinner.”

“Where’s the car now?”

“Driving off. We’re on it.”

“Thanks, Heath. Where’s everyone else?”

“Ryan and Bob are watching the two of you right now. What the fuck are you two doing at a wedding chapel?”

Lucas chuckled. “Don’t worry about it. Just get to that car.”

“Everything okay?” Layla asked as Lucas was once again by her side.

“Couldn’t be better.”

Suddenly, two very happy, very excited people rushed over to them from the chapel.

“Hi! I’m Mary, and this is my fiancé, Don…”

Don smiled like a proud man.

“We want to get married, and we need witnesses! Are you two busy?”

“Yes.”

“No,” Layla said as Lucas tried to shoot them down. She eyed him with a frown. “How exciting! Do you want us to stand as your witnesses?”

“Excuse us…” Lucas pulled her off to the side. “What the fuck are you—”

Layla put a finger to his lips. “What is the harm in witnessing something as beautiful as two people joined in holy matrimony? We’re doing it.”

Lucas rolled his eyes and sighed. This would get them out of harm’s way for a while.

“Yes! We’ll be happy to do it. I’m Layla, and this is my boyfriend, Lucas.”

The shaking of hands and the thank yous commenced as the four of them headed into the chapel.

Lucas and Don sat near the front, chit-chatting and getting cozy, while Layla and Mary were getting ready in the back.

“You look lovely,” Layla said as Mary slipped on a white evening gown.

“Thank you so much. The dress was my mother’s. She passed away about a year ago, so Don and I decided to elope! She’s really the only family I had, and Don is adopted, but his family isn’t supportive…” Mary kept on with her story as Layla listened attentively.

“I am so in love! Are you in love, Layla? Does he treat you well? He’s a gorgeous man!”

“Yes, he treats me quite well.” Layla nodded, not wanting to address her true feelings for Lucas Foster because she didn’t understand them. “Do you want Lucas to walk you down the aisle?”

“Oh, yes! I would love that!” Mary said, her eyes filling with tears.

Layla peeked her head out of the curtain. “Lucas! Lucas!” she whispered to him, beckoning him to her.

“Mary needs you to give her away.”

Lucas smiled. “Let’s do this.”

Mary’s bouquet was full of bright spring flowers. She plucked two pink sweet peas out of the bunch and placed them in Layla’s hair, over the shell of each ear, and then handed her a large daffodil to carry down the aisle.

“You are the most beautiful maid of honor.” Mary giggled as Lucas couldn’t help but want this so badly for Layla one day.

He could just picture her walking down the aisle to her beloved, completely taken with him, and he with her.

“Yes, she is…,” Lucas said as Layla made her way out to the first song. She smiled at Don and the preacher, who were already standing at the altar.

Layla, always overcome with joyful tears, could feel her emotions gearing up as Lucas came down the aisle with Mary, who couldn’t take her eyes off Don.

“Welcome, everyone,” Preacher Beau began. “We thank you for being here to share this special evening to bring Don and Mary together in holy matrimony. Who gives this woman away?”

“I do,” Lucas said, smiling at Layla, who was smitten at the sight of him.

As the preacher continued, Layla was handed the bouquet and Don and Mary held hands, their giggles and flirtatious smiles not at all lost on Lucas and Layla.

Lucas looked at Layla, who was teeming with happiness for two complete strangers, but as their gazes met and the preacher continued with the wedding ceremony, nothing prepared them for the explosive emotions rocking both of them to the core.

“The rings?”

Lucas handed them over to the preacher, who continued.

“Do you, Don Hart, take this woman to be your wife? To protect her and keep her safe? To love, honor, and cherish her, no matter what life brings you? To hold her and provide for her until your dying day?”

Don choked, but said, “I most certainly do!”

Lucas and Layla weren’t paying attention anymore. Both of them were gazing at each other as if the room had emptied of everyone except for them.

~I’m not good enough for you, Layla, and so help me God, I want to be,~ Lucas thought to himself as his heart melted right there at that altar.

~I could fall in love with you, Lucas… I might have… I—~ Layla sighed to herself, not allowing her thoughts to escape her lips.

As if they had forgotten what they were there for, the preacher was bringing them back to the moment, snapping them out of their trance.

“You may kiss your bride!”

Don and Mary were all over each other after that. Lucas and Layla clapped and cheered, Layla handing over the bouquet to Mary as the newlyweds danced back down the aisle together.

Lucas couldn’t help himself. In two strides he was in the center of the altar steps with Layla in his arms, dipping her and smashing his lips into hers.

Every hurt, every pain, every bad moment in his life washed away at that moment, and he needed her—he needed everything about her.

The preacher, chuckling behind them, cleared his throat as Lucas and Layla came up for air. He smiled at them as they composed themselves, falling into each other’s arms.

The preacher nodded knowingly, but he’d seen it all before. “So, when are you two getting hitched?”