Page 37 of Hitched to My Enemy
Harlow stepped closer, wrapping her arms around me as the first shuddering breath escaped. I buried my face in her hair, allowing myself a vulnerability I'd never have shown anyone else. She held me without words, without judgment, simply offering the strength of her presence as everything I thought I knew crumbled around me.
"I'm sorry," I said eventually, pulling back slightly.
"Don't." Her hands framed my face, her gaze direct and unwavering. "Don't apologize for being human."
I covered her hand with mine, turning to press a kiss to her palm. "How did you go from my biggest professional threat to my strongest support in less than a week?"
A hint of a smile touched her lips. "Vegas moves fast."
The unexpected humor broke the tension, drawing a reluctant laugh from me. Before I could respond, my phone rang—Carmen Torres, head of security.
"Sir," she said when I answered, her voice tense, "we have a situation in the lobby. Press has gotten wind of Mr. Delacroix's departure. They're gathering outside, and Enzo Ricci is giving what appears to be an impromptu statement."
I put the call on speaker so Harlow could hear. "What's he saying?"
"That there are 'serious financial irregularities' at the Jade Petal. That Mr. Delacroix's termination is 'merely the tip of the iceberg.' He's suggesting the commission should suspend our license pending a full investigation."
Rage surged through me—cold and clarifying. "Of course he is. He orchestrated this entire situation; now he's trying to control the narrative."
"What do you want us to do?" Torres asked.
I met Harlow's eyes, finding the same determined focus I felt crystallizing within me. "Hold them in the lobby. No access to upper floors. I'll be down in thirty minutes for a formal statement."
After ending the call, I turned to Harlow. "He's trying to turn Bryce's betrayal into ammunition."
"Then we control the story," she replied without hesitation. "Complete transparency. Acknowledge the embezzlement and sabotage, emphasize that your proactive oversight caught it, and frame it as proof of your commitment to regulatory compliance."
"You're suggesting I publicly admit my CFO was stealing from me and tampering with gaming equipment?" I raised an eyebrow. "Most PR firms would recommend burying that as deep as possible."
"Most PR firms don't understand that in regulated industries, how you handle problems matters more than whether you have them." She moved to the desk, already pulling up documents on her tablet. "Every casino faces internal threats. What sets you apart is catching it before customers were affected."
I watched her work, marveling at how seamlessly we'd shifted into a partnership that felt both professional and deeply personal. "You're not worried about how this affects your position with the commission?"
She looked up, determination flashing in her eyes. "The commissioners are divided. Montgomery will see this as vindication of our collaborative approach. Watts will try to use it against us. Diaz will follow the political winds." She shrugged. "But hiding the truth only gives Enzo more ammunition."
"So we face it head-on. Together."
"Together," she agreed, something warming in her expression. "I'm starting to think that's how we're meant to be."
The simple statement hit me with unexpected force. This woman who had once represented everything I resented about regulatory oversight now stood beside me as an equal partner—in crisis, in strategy, in something that felt increasingly like a future I hadn't planned but suddenly couldn't imagine without.
I crossed to her, drawing her into my arms for a brief, fierce kiss. "Whatever happens next, we face it together."
Her smile against my lips was answer enough.
***
The Jade Petal's grand ballroom had been hastily converted for the press conference. Reporters from every major outlet filled the seats, cameras trained on the podium where I stood with practiced composure. Harlow had positioned herself to the side of the stage—present but not central, a visual statement of professional collaboration rather than personal entanglement.
"Thank you all for coming on such short notice," I began, my voice steady despite the turmoil of the past twenty-four hours. "This morning, Jade Petal Casino terminated the employment of Bryson Delacroix, our Chief Financial Officer, following the discovery of financial improprieties and attempted sabotage of gaming equipment."
A ripple of excitement passed through the assembled press. I continued before they could interrupt with questions.
"Through our rigorous internal controls and in collaboration with the Nevada Gaming Commission's oversight team, we identified unauthorized financial transactions and attempts to compromise gaming systems before any customers were affected." I nodded subtly toward Harlow, acknowledging her role without drawing undue attention. "Mr. Delacroix has provided a full confession, which has been turned over to the appropriate authorities."
Questions erupted immediately. I pointed to Liv Chen from the Las Vegas Tribune.
"Mr. Hardwick, what is your response to Enzo Ricci's statement suggesting this is evidence of systemic problems at the Jade Petal?"
