Leaving Las Vegas (Entangled Ignite) by Aleah Barley Read Free Book Online

Luke only a few hours earlier. She knew what he drank, how he laughed, and that he was calm in a crisis. She knew he’d be able to spot a gold digger a mile away. This was the closest she’d gotten to a man in years. Ever since she and her fiancé had ended the engagement a month before their wedding.
    It had been for the best. Hank was a good lawyer and a great volunteer fire chief, but he wasn’t the most exciting man in West Virginia. Not by a long shot. The worst part was she’d been unhappy even before the breakup. She’d known, deep in her heart, that they could never end up together. Hank needed someone sweet and obliging. Someone who didn’t mind when he stayed out too late with the boys. She deserved someone who could make her heart sparkle and leap, the same way Benji’s fireworks sparkled and danced in the sky overhead.
    “You’ve been in Las Vegas for less than a day. How did you end up with a guy in your car?” Ashley asked.
    “He’s my hostage.”
    Three words. Quick. A throwaway meant to earn a laugh. But Ashley didn’t say anything. There was just silence on the other end of the line.
    “He’s not really,” Glory hurried to clarify. “I would never take a hostage. Hallie takes hostages. I swear on all that’s holy.”
    Still silence. Damn it.
    “I’m just giving him a ride.” She shoved the phone into Luke’s hand. “Tell my sister you’re with me willingly.” She pushed herself back against the car door. As far away from Luke as possible.
    Ashley didn’t trust her. Exhaustion took over and she closed her eyes, forcing back tears.
    Luke’s voice was low, easy, as he talked to Ashley. She must have said something funny because suddenly he was laughing. Jerk . Glory should grab the phone and beg her sister to wire her the money for a return ticket home. But then she’d have to tell Ashley the truth. There would be no $800,000. No saving grace. The future of Black Lake—and Beaux with it—would be gone by the end of the week.
    Her breath was coming too fast. The people of Beaux had been so damn good to her. But she’d let them down.
    “Don’t worry,” Luke was saying, “I’ll take good care of her.” A few pleasantries, then he was done. He flipped the phone closed. It made a soft thud when it hit the inside of her purse. “I like your sister. Ashley sounds like a smart woman. Confident, sweet—”
    Her eyes flickered open. “Let me guess. The next thing that you’re going to say is beautiful. Damn it. I’m sick of being the good one.”
    That got a blink of surprise from Luke. He leaned forward, suddenly interested. “You’re the good one? Compared to who? Boudicca?”
    The incredulity in his voice was thick, palpable, but she should have expected it. Her actions over the past day hadn’t been all sweetness and light.
    “Compared to my sisters,” she said.
    He raised an eyebrow.
    “You think I’m joking? I’m plain, boring. No one. They walk down the street and people turn to look. They ignite lust, jealousy, anger, and love. I’m a cupcake.”
    One of his eyebrows was raised, questioningly. He clearly didn’t believe her.
    Glory plowed forward, ignoring him. “Ashley’s beautiful, Hallie’s sexy. It doesn’t matter how far away I get, I’m just the normal one. Forgotten. Ignored—unless someone needs something. Money, a fall guy, or Hallie’s phone number.”
    “I’d never call you normal. Besides, you didn’t let me finish.” Luke paused, as if searching for the right thing to say. “Naive.”
    The skin around his eyes crinkled slightly when he smiled. Glory hadn’t noticed that before. It was sexy as hell. Almost as sexy as the look he was giving her, as if she were a double-fudge sundae and he had a spoon. Maybe he could stay all the way to Albuquerque.
    “Your sister sounds naive.”
    A sharp laugh. The man was smarter than he looked. “That’s Ashley, always living in her own fantasy world.”
    “I like women. Real women, with natural