Page 29 of Lex

She’d also tried reaching Scott again, but shocker, he didn’t answer. With every passing second, Lex disliked the man more and more. For now, though, he kept his opinion to himself. Especially since they didn’t know whether or not he was alive or dead.

If the idiot was still alive, Lex was sorely tempted to kill her ex for putting Summer through so much grief—not just during their marriage, but even after their divorce, including putting her life in danger when she should have been rid of him and his bullshit completely.

Summer was quiet as Lex drove them to the Avernus. Both were lost in their thoughts. The last time he’d been in Vegas, he’d exhibited some serious flying skills in a helo while chasing down mafia scum and helping Jayson rescue Sabrina. Then Jayson and Sabrina had gotten married later that night in the hotel’s wedding chapel. It had been quick, a little cheesy and a perfect ending as everyone they loved witnessed them promise each other forever.

Glancing over at Summer, he wondered if she would consider marriage again…if the right man came along.

Saving his musings for later, Lex pulled up to the Avernus’s impressive glass and wrought iron porte-cochère. The hotel/casino was one of the newest and hottest places on the Strip with its own clubs, restaurants, shows and even a golf course. Apparently, some actor owned it.

Lex handed the keys off to the valet and grabbed their bags. The moment they walked through the door, Summer whispered a low, “Oh, wow.”

Yeah, the place was pretty phenomenal. Modern and stylish, it flaunted glossy tiled floors, large mirrors and bronze fixtures. It was all subtle glitz and glamour instead of typical in-your-face Vegas fanfare. Ultra luxurious while still being comfortable. He could see why it was so popular.

Check-in went smoothly, and they rode the elevator ten floors up, sharing a few remarks about how amazing the hotel was, and hoping their accommodations would be just as nice. After exiting the elevator, they easily found their room and stepped inside. Lex set their bags down and glanced around. Like the rest of the hotel, the room was decorated in bronze and black. Very sleek, and it exceeded his expectations.

“This place is gorgeous,” Summer announced, peeking into the bathroom. “That tub is the size of a swimming pool.”

Lex nodded, but his attention was on the massive king-size bed they’d hopefully be sharing. Sure, there was a fancy black leather couch, but he much preferred cozying up to Summer in the bed. Of course, if she invited him. Otherwise, he’d continue being a gentleman, even though it would probably kill him.

Although… She’d been the one to reserve the room.

“Are you hungry?” he asked, looking to redirect his train of thought away from why she’d booked a room with one bed. He had hopes, but they were also on a bit of a mission.

“I’m still full from all of Corey’s pastries. I can wait to eat, if you’re okay?”

Exactly what he’d hoped to hear. The sooner they found Scott, the better. “Let’s go for a ride.”

The last-known address Summer had for Scott was an apartment in Naked City. Located in the shadow of The Stratosphere, the old, gritty residential neighborhood was once home to showgirls, cocktail waitresses and casino performers. The provocative nickname resulted from the showgirls who used to sunbathe nude to avoid tan lines.

Using the SUV’s navigation system, Lex drove them through the northern edge of the main strip corridor. They passed the historic Hard Hat Lounge and some old neon motel signs, transitioning from the tourist district to Naked City’s residential streets.

Trash blew along the sidewalk and low-rise apartment buildings dominated block after block. Based on the rundown condition of the buildings, many with bars on the windows, she assumed poverty and crime were rampant. Knowing Scott lived in such a place, so different from where they’d lived together, gave her mixed feelings. She felt bad for him, but at the same time, she wasn’t his keeper or his sugar mama anymore. He was a grown-ass man who’d made the very decisions that had brought him to such a depressing place.

“Lovely,” Lex murmured as they drove by a man urinating on a tall fence.

Summer glanced at the GPS then pointed to an apartment structure coming up. Like all the others, it was plain and unremarkable, the rough exterior of its two levels looking like it had seen better days. But the chipped paint and cracked terra cotta roof were probably the least of its problems.

“It’s apartment 202,” she said as Lex pulled up.

“As much as I want you to stay in the car and not have to see Scott…” He looked around, his face screwing up in a frown. “I think it’s safer if you come with me.”

This time, she knew he had his gun—he’d told her on the flight—so, yeah, she couldn’t agree more. They climbed out and he took her hand, keeping her close as they walked to the open-riser concrete stairs. Like everything else, they were chipped and needed to be repaired. But they felt solid beneath her feet, and that was most important.

Scott’s apartment was the first one. All the units opened directly to the outside, giving access to any Tom, Dick or Harry who decided to walk up. Not exactly safe, especially since the casement windows looked like they barely closed all the way, and the flimsy doors appeared less than sturdy. She bet she could kick one in with minimal effort. But no one would be kicking Scott’s door in, because she noticed it was slightly ajar. Lex did, too, and he immediately removed the gun from the back holster beneath his light jacket, stepping in front of her.

“Stay close,” he murmured. Then he placed his hand on the door and pushed it open.

Even though she wanted to peer around him, she did as he said, staying close and covered by his much bigger body. Grabbing onto the back of his jacket, she stepped into the dimly-lit apartment, moving with him. Her nose scrunched at the sickly-sweet smell of garbage, and she looked around. The place had been trashed. It was only a studio, and once they realized they were the only ones inside, she felt Lex relax slightly.

“It’s clear,” he stated.

“God, what a mess.” There wasn’t much to the place, and everything had been flipped upside down, dumped over and even torn apart. She stepped around a shredded couch cushion, placing her hands on her hips. “Whoever broke in was obviously looking for something.”

“A container.” Lex nudged an overturned wastebasket aside with the tip of his boot.

“Right.”

“I have a feeling they probably came here first. When they didn’t find what they wanted, they tracked you down.”