Linda Graves/layla hazine
romance, fantasy Author
romance, fantasy Author
| Excerpts from Jaguar's Dance |
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CHAPTER 1
The controlled chaos embraced Tully as she departed the plane. The electronic chimes, music, pings
and dings from the aisles of slot machines sitting in the center of the huge foyer rattled the air,
serenading the moving herd while subconsciously planting the need to gamble in their brains. She found
the euphoric excitement contagious, as the crowd moved to encircle the baggage carousel.
Exhilarating conversations floated all around her, some about hotels, some about show, most quickly
turned to the potential gambling exploits to be undertaken. The alarm sounded as the lights above the
carousel began to flash announcing the arrival of the luggage. Peeking through the crowd, she watched
as bag after bag bounced by on the belt. Finally a long silver aluminum case cleared the hole and began
to move with the other luggage toward her.
“Excuse me, could you grab that silver case for me?” She asked in general to either of the two men.
Hesitating a moment, the taller of the two turned twinkling dark brown eyes toward her questioningly,
before grabbing the handle. Sitting the case next to her, his well-tanned face graced her with an
effervescent smile showing beautiful white, perfectly straight teeth. “You're a hunter?”
“No, its swords and canes.”
“Right! What was I thinking?” he said sarcastically before turning back to watch the passing bags.
“You’re right, though. It does look like a gun case.” Tully took a moment to take in the gorgeous stranger
in front of her. He was the epitome of tall, dark and handsome. Besides the knockout smile, he was tall,
at least six foot, five. His build was not the hulky muscle of a body builder, but the more than adequate
physique of an athlete. His dark hair was a bit long curling up slightly on the ends, framing high
cheekbones and a strong, jaw line on a face that looked to have a heavy Native American heritage.
Her deliberations were interrupted as a black rolling bag, painted on each side with a pair of crossed
swords over the image of a dancing girl, came into her peripheral vision.
“Oh, that black bag too.” She returned the smile, as he set it in front of her, and then turned back to grab
a large duffel.
“Thanks.” She said as she turned, making her way to the public transportation door.
Joining the queue for the taxis, Tully carried on a casual conversation with the senior couple that stood in
front of her. Only moments passed before the gray haired couple climbed into a yellow cab, leaving Tully
smiling after them.
The smile disappeared as a van idling across the way, caught her attention. Though she couldn’t make
out the driver, his intense stare was aimed solely on her. Self-consciously running a hand over the long
red braid that hung over her shoulder, she forced her eyes away. In costume, she expected the attention,
but dressed in a pair of comfortable, faded jeans and an oversize Texas Ranger jersey, she felt very
uncomfortable. The yellow cab pulled up to the curb saving her from further scrutiny.
“To Caesar’s Palace, please.” The grin returned as her virgin visit to Sin City began. She couldn’t control
her roaming eyes. They raced back and forth across Las Vegas Blvd. Though it was only eight o’clock at
night, the neon lights already lit the strip. She marveled at the sights. Casinos after marvelous casino
passed, dancing well lit fountains, a volcano, a pirate ship, people crowding the sidewalk, some rushing,
and some just cruising. Even within the walls of the taxi, Tully felt the energy.
Though it was a working trip, her room was booked for six nights and the workshop she was teaching
would only take up four of those days and two of the nights. She looked forward to at least a little
playtime.
“We’re here Darlin.” The driver said in a heavy British accent as he pulled up to the glass doors leading
into Caesar’s. A valet opened the door and offered his hand. Taking it, she offered a gracious smile. By
the time she had straightened the driver was beside her with her bags.
After paying the driver, she walked in to her very first casino. Joining the long queue for check-in, she
took in the costumed waitress’ moving in and out of the casino. Lights, chatter and the dings of the slot
machines swamped her senses. The exhilaration was overwhelming.
Finally, her turn came. “Hi, I’m Tully Hennessey. I’m one of the teachers for the Belly Dance seminar.”
“Yes, Ms. Hennessey, your room is ready. I just need your signature. How many keys will you need?”
The face of the dark haired stranger at the airport, skimmed her thoughts leaving a warm feeling deep
down in the pit of her stomach. Then with a sigh, she answered, “Just one.”
Entering her suite, the scent of flowers invaded her nose. A large, elegant bouquet of fragrant white
oriental lilies and brilliant bright yellow calla lilies in a sapphire blue vase sat on the glass coffee table.
Inhaling deeply she crossed and picked up the small envelope. The card read,
Sweetheart,
Wish I could be there with you. Call me when you get this.
All my love,
Wade
After a roll of her eyes, she crushed the card and tossed it in the trashcan. Over the years as a highly
sought after dancer, she had received attention from quite a few very influential members of her
audience. Wade Butler, was not yet thirty, attractive and appeared to be powerful in the business world.
After repeated visits to one of the restaurants she performed at regularly, his pursuit was rewarded. Over
the next two months they saw each other socially once or twice a week.
At first, the parties and his social circle turned her head. Yet the lack of respect he showed his
underlings, the way he avoided talking about his business dealings, his overall superior attitude made
her uncomfortable. Just the previous weekend, he had proposed. After turning him down, she had tried
to gently break off their relationship. He hadn’t taken it well, but she hadn’t heard from him since. For a
moment, she considered sitting the flowers in the hall, but the arrangement was just too beautiful.
After ordering a light dinner from room service, Tully stood at her window studying the view of the strip.
Directly across was Harrah’s. From the gyrating of the tiny people in front of the covered stage in the
hotel’s pavilion, a band seemed to be playing. Though the sun had set, the path of the tiny people
meandering below, were lit as bright as midday. Pulling her attention away, she unpacked, hanging her
costumes so they would de-wrinkle before they were needed.
Turning on the television, she flipped channels while she ate. It was after ten and her first class was early
the next morning. The bed was large and inviting, but this was the city that never sleeps. Grabbing some
money and her driver’s license from her wallet, she put them in her pocket along with her door key and
skipped to the door.
Walking into the casino area was like walking into a Roman dream. Wide-eyed and smiling, she
wondered through the rows and rows of slot machines, video poker machines then through the table
games. Several times she stopped for a minute or two, watching the cards flip, the dice roll or the ball
circle. When cheers rose at the table, she cheered to, caught up in their excitement rather than having a
clue what had happened. Having never gambled before, she was little afraid to try, but the sheer energy
of the room left her on a high.
Wondering into the Shadow Bar. Straightened her button up blouse, she sat in the tan plush bar chair as
the two bartenders juggled bottles of alcohol, then tall Hurricane type glasses. She clapped along with
the only other customers before they turned back to their conversations.
“What can I get you pretty lady?” the so very pretty male bartender asked as he wiped the shiny black
bar top, attempting to look macho for the benefit of a tip.
She had already noticed him checking out the two still prettier boys at the other end of the bar, so smiled
as she leaned in playfully. “How about a rum and coke, big guy.”
With a wink, he turned away to fix the drink, as Tully watched the screens behind the bar. A shapely
female silhouette was performing some rather provocative moves, though she recognized many of the
moves that she, herself performed. Her mouth dropped a bit when two of the dancers moved into the
same pane. She was by no means a prude, but she was surprised.
As she accepted her drink, she swiveled to survey the other patrons. Groups of people all around her
laughed and talked, but she felt oddly alone. Transferring her attention back to the sensual dancers on
the surrounding screens, she contemplated going back to her room.
“Hey Beautiful.” Tully looked up into the eyes of a large, muscular man. A skull and crossbones tattoo
was on one side of his shaved head and a scribble of some sort, she assumed was a name on the
other. She offered a tight grin and swiveled to the other side.
“Need a little company?” She almost giggled. There stood the classic Italian mobster character, dark
shirt and pants with slicked back, black hair.
She tried for a pleasant tone. “No thanks, I was just leaving.”
“Come on, just one drink?” Said mobster man.
“Sorry, I have to meet someone.” She rose to leave, but Baldy grabbed her arm. She gave him a look
which strongly requesting he remove his hand.
As a skilled bartender should, Pretty Boy had noticed the incident. “Is there a problem?” Baldy released
her. “How about a drink on the house boys?”
Tully shot him a grateful look of thanks and swiftly disappeared. Rattled she hurriedly walked through the
door, weaving between machines. Without noticing, she found herself on the sidewalk of the busy Las
Vegas strip. The crowds still moved steadily in both directions. Finally, in at the entrance to the Mirage,
she swam free. It was after 11:00, but she was still too restless to sleep. Sitting down at a video poker
machine, she deposited a twenty and began to play. At least she was somewhat familiar with this one.
It was after two am before fatigue began to set in. The sidewalks had grown quiet over the past three
hours. Only a few stragglers wondered about. With all the neon, most of the sidewalk was lit up like
daylight, but the shadows were deep.
Reaching the Roman Gods and Goddesses guarding the entrance of Caesar’s, Tully’s attention was
drawn to their exquisite detail and beauty. Standing, admiring them, a shutter ran up her spine, as an
overwhelming feeling of danger swept over her. Turning toward the entrance, her steps quickened. She
felt, rather than saw movement in the shadows. She slowed, trying to determine if someone were
actually there.
Before she could react, a massive hand covered her mouth. Her feet left the ground. Kicking and trying
to bite, she was carried her around the statues toward the alleys in the back. as she was carried toward
the dark alley in the rear.
“We’ve been waiting for you.” A short, male form spoke as he stepped from the shadow. If she hadn’t
been so scared she would’ve giggled. The man in front of her was the classic movie Italian mobster
character, dark shirt and pants with greasy, slicked back, black hair. Mobster man continued speaking
to his partner. “Hurry up, get her in the car.”
A large, dark sedan sat ominously, less than fifteen feet from them. She knew she would be lost, if they
got her inside that car. As panicked overtook her, she struggled harder. Floating in the air, virtually
helpless, the only weapon she had was her own body. Kicking as hard as she could, contact was made
with the knee of the man restraining her. He momentarily released her, but grabbed her arm before she
could take a step. Like Mobster Man, he was the classic, muscle flunky. He was well over six feet with
muscles so massive his neck seemed to be missing. His head was shaved, with a skull and crossbones
tattooed on either side.
Mobster Man stepped toward her, raising his arm. She knew it wouldn’t be a slap, but a full fist to her
face. A golden cougar rose from the shadow. Exceptionally large for a mountain lion, he stood more than
four feet tall at the shoulders. Its muscular body would easily surpass the 250-pound mark. The cougars
yellow eyes focused on Mobster Man, curling its lip in a threatening snarl. Mobster Man turned to run just
as the giant cat screamed, an ear-piercing scream, and became airborne. Using its massive haunches,
it easily cleared the distance knocking him to the ground. Mobster Man’s scream of terror, mixed with
the screams and growls of the cat as its massive claw sliced through his back.
Baldy let Tully go as he fell back, trying to scramble away on his hands and knees. The cat turned on him
using his weight to bowl him over to his back. Again the giant claw came down this time laying open
Baldy’s stomach. Tully knew she should run, but couldn’t move. The cat turned large, golden eyes held
her’s briefly before disappearing around the end of the building as a security team approached.