Shattered (closed)

[NewGame8]

Thornton looked around the restaurant and fell in love with the place. The restaurant was a lot like him.... "Old School." Everything in the restaurant excited Thornton, and he decided that he had to have it.

He sat across from Lily and looked into her eyes. Despite all of the great work that she had been doing, Thornton sensed some sadness in her. "Lily, before we talk about business, and I want to talk business because I HAVE to have this in the Chelsea, let's talk a little about you."

Thornton watched Lily for a reaction. "Lily, when that guy mentioned your father, you got very quiet and your expression changed along with your focus going away for a moment. Is there anything you would like to talk about? Are you ok?"

 

[wideeyedone]

Lily met Thornton's eyes when he asked about her father.

"My father just got out of prison. He robbed a liquor store to pay his gambling debts. He just can't stop himself. I have paid off his debts several times, but he just gets neck deep again and again. He just doesn't believe that the odds favor the house. He thinks he is going to generate some sort of luck, or a streak, or a system."

She took a sip of her water. "He isn't a bad guy. He just won't stop and I won't let him drag me down with him."

Lily shook herself. "I am sorry. my focus is back now."

 

[NewGame8]

Thornton listened to Lily and felt sorry for what she had to endure with her father. He watched the workings of the restaurant and wondered what Lily had in mind for it at the Chelsea. He liked the way her mind worked and he was interested in her ideas.

But first, he had to ask the question. "What about your mother? You haven't mentioned anything about her. How is she doing?"

 

[wideeyedone]

When Thornton asked about her mother she felt as if she couldn't speak. She had to take a long sip of water. She blinked back the tears that threatened to come.

"My mother died unexpectedly when I was 14. My father couldn't take me. An elderly couple, the Jensen's fostered me. I got a job at 16 and started saving for college. I went to school here in town, got a job as a housekeeper at my former casino, and worked my way up." She made herself talk about school and her work past. He couldn't know about her mother yet.

 

[NewGame8]

Thornton listened to Lily talk about her mother passing away and living with an elderly couple and working her way up through the ranks of her former casino. He noticed her hesitation and the couple of tears. "I am really sorry Ms. Bristol. I did not mean to bring up bad memories. I was just trying to get to know you a little better. You are doing such tremendous work here so far, and I just wanted to know about you outside of work."

Lily sat there without making eye contact. Thornton looked right at her and did not say another word about anything personal. He wasn't going to risk saying anything else that might make his prying into her personal life worse than he already had. He looked around the restaurant and decided that this was going to be in the Chelsea. He liked everything about it.... people, ambiance, well, he hadn't tasted the food yet, but, people didn't go to a restaurant just for the ambiance, so, the food must be pretty good, because the place was hopping. He said to Lily, "I am going to make this happen. We need to discuss where in the Chelsea we are going to put it. My attorneys are going to begin looking into the acquisition this afternoon as soon as we get back."

 

[wideeyedone]

Lily collected herself.

"I am not an architecht, so I am not even sure it is possible... but I think you should put it on the roof. and you should have the wall of the dancefloor be sheet glass.... so when couples are dancing to old school live music, they can see the lights of Vegas."

She paused for a moment. "I want to ask you a question. I have brought you a jewleler and now this gem of a place... I was wondering if you might be open to me having a small profit share of the new enterprises that I bring into the casino."

Lily knew it was a push, but for her plan to work she had to get further into the organization.

 

[NewGame8]

Thornton thought about Lily's idea of putting it on the roof. He liked what she was proposing, and he wondered about the viability of such a project. He was thinking about contacting his architect and getting him to work on the restaurant and jewelry store projects and drawing up some plans.

Thornton heard Lily ask about profit sharing and he snapped back into the moment. He was happy about the work that she was doing, but she was moving pretty quick here looking for a piece of the pie. "Well, Ms. Bristol. I am happy with the way you have started out. You have impressed me greatly, so far. However, you have brought me ideas, and that is it. Nothing is in place, yet. I think it is premature to be discussing profit sharing. When things are in place and both the jewelry store and the restaurant are open we will discuss a bump in your financial package."

 

[wideeyedone]

Lily smiled at Thornton. "I wouldn't expect you to say yes now. I just wanted to plant the seed for later, Mr. Thornton."

Lily signaled the waiter over so that they could order. She ordered a ribeye, medium well. The waiter took their order and headed back to the kitchen.

"Mr. Thornton, I know sometimes I rub you the wrong way. I don't mean to be disrespectful or to question your authority. I have just found that being honest and open about one's goals is much better than playing games."

 

[NewGame8]

Thornton watched Lily's reaction. He prided himself in being able to read people. He sensed disappointment in Lily Bristol with his answer, but she did not let on. She immediately went back on the offensive. That was a good trait to have in business. If you don't allow a defeat in a small battle to impact the war you will be successful.

"Ms. Bristol, I think you have misread me. You do not rub me the wrong way. In fact, it is quite the opposite. You are a smart, ambitious, beautiful young woman who knows what she wants and is not afraid to go after it. I do not feel disrespected. You asking for profit sharing does not offend me, just as me saying no should not offend you. It is a part of the business world."

 

[wideeyedone]

Lily nodded as Thornton spoke. In the background, some jazz musicians were warming up. Lily knew Charlie must have called them in, it was a little early for live music. But in Vegas, time could be meaningless, on a casino floor it could be next to impossible to know what time of day it was.

Lily's phone buzzed. It was her work cell so she checked to see who was calling. It was Gina, one of the young women from the front desk.

"Hello, this is Lily." Lily's voice was crisp but warm. She smiled as she spoke, but as she listened her face became more serious. "Thank you, Gina. It sounds like you handled it beautifully. I am on my cell and will be back on site soon. Please call security and give them a heads up. Excellent, tell Dave that I will have some of those oatmeal raisin cookies that he likes so much for him.... Call me if you need me Gina."

Lily smoothed her hair and put away her phone. There had been an incident with the young movie star that had hassled Gina the other morning. Apparently he had broken up with his girlfriend and he wasn't taking no for an answer. He had caused a scene at rehearsals for the new show.

 

[NewGame8]

"It is a good thing that you knew how to handle that asshole. I am not good with handling people that think they are better than others because of their money.... especially the spoiled little brats. I would have thrown him out on his ear the other night." He watched Lily for a reaction.

"I am happy to see that your staff is working the way you want them to work.... some of them at least. Do you see much more turnover occurring?" He watched her closely. She seemed to be her most open when she was talking business. She did not like to talk about her family life, which led Thornton to understand that much of her youth had been stolen from her. He was sorry to see that look in her eyes, so, he wanted to keep the conversation focused on business.

 

[wideeyedone]

The waiter brought the food. Everything was cooked to perfection. Lily spoke to Thornton as she cut her steak.

"I have had lots of experience dealing with losers like this guy. They all want to be treated like their money makes them special. And from a business perspective in a way, their money does buy them more access, quicker service, nicer amenities, but they don't get to treat people poorly. I know where to draw the line."

Lily speared the vegetables on her plate as she spoke. "I am pleased with the staff so far. I see some real potential in a lot of the staff. Dave is an amazing head of security. Gina has management potential. Eventually, if she pans out the way I think she will, she might be the manager over the concierge program. She is personable, smart and good with people."

Lily ticked off a few names and their strengths.
"I see a few front desk people that aren't going to make it, but it is just a gut feeling at this point, I don't have cause to get rid of them."

 

[NewGame8]

Thornton moved the food around on his plate.... tasting a bite of each but nothing more. Very often when he conducted business over food the food went untouched. He was more interested in the person he was meeting with and what they had to say than he was the meal that was placed in front of him.

"Lily, if you need to get rid of someone... do it. Do not wait for a reason to do it. If you wait for a reason then it is too late... the damage is done. Replace them... give them a couple of weeks pay and tell them we will give them a recommendation that will not prevent them from being hired somewhere else. If we need new people there, I want them there now." Thornton did not want to take the chance that anyone who Lily didn't believe should be working there could do anything to impact his business.

Thornton was more active in the business of the Chelsea than he had been in quite some time. He was also excited about the involvement. All of this coincided with the arrival of Lily Bristol. Yes, she was a brilliant, young businesswoman, but there was more to it than that. Thornton liked being around here. Being in Lily's company made him feel good...... made him feel like he hadn't felt in a long time.... since.... Cassie.

 

[wideeyedone]

Lily took a few notes and then they headed back to the Chelsea. Lily did her best to stay focused on business. Thornton was damned personable and almost likeable and she needed to hate him. She needed to focus on how he had crushed her mother.

Back at the Chelsea, Lily went to work on the concierge program. She was vetting her first recruits. She had the uniforms chosen and the actual concierge desks and computer system on order. She kept telling herself to focus.

Over the next few days, Lily worked long hours and spent a great deal of time training the recruits herself. She had them study up on eateries and entertainment, bars, nightclubs, strip joints and even discreet escort services.

She had been working late and decided to take a late night round of the casino and hotel. She watched the customers and the staff. She was in one of the bars when she saw Matt Breyer hassling one of the cocktail waittresses. He had one hand on her ass and one down her top and she was pushing to get away.

"Mr. Breyer, we don't want an incident. Let the young woman go." Lily could hear the acid in her voice. Security was already on their way. Matt claimed it was all a misunderstanding. But Lily could see how rattled the young woman was. "Mr. Breyer, I think you need to go sober up and then tomorrow, let me get you a suite at the Grecian. I think it is time for you to move on from the Chelsea. Do you understand?" Matt hissed the word bitch and then stormed off to his suite.

Lily made a mental note to send security up in the morning to make sure that he and his entourage had moved on. She made a few more stops but then decided to head to her suite. She was tired and closed her eyes when she got on the elevator. She took a deep breath and her eyes opened when the elevator dinged. Matt and one of his friends got on the elevator.

"Shit, this is the bitch that told us we have to leave..." Matt's words were slurred.
Lily moved to get off the elevator, but Matt's friend grabbed her arm.
"Maybe we should have some fun before we leave..."

Lily struggled to get out of his grip and her blouse tore at the shoulder. Matt grabbed her and kissed her. She bit him and he slapped her.She bumped her head on the wall of the elevator. Lily knew she was in trouble and began screaming. She knew that security would be there soon. There were cameras everywhere. She tried to think of who was on duty.

Then she saw Dave in the doorway of the elevator with several of his men. Matt and his flunky were manhandled and escorted to their suite to gather their belongings.

"No police, Dave. Just get them out. I am going to go clean up. Get them out. And their friends, too."

Lily made her way to her suite. She tossed her blouse in the trash and pulled on a clean t shirt. She iced the red mark on the side of her face. She could feel the bruises rising under her skin.

Dave stepped out of Breyer's suite to call Mr. Thornton.

"Mr. Thornton, this is Dave Packer, head of security. Ms. Bristol was roughed up by one of the guests. She asked me to have them removed but to not call the police. I wanted you to know what happened. She had a bump on her head and she is going to have a shiner, maybe a split lip. She went to her suite before I could have her checked out." Dave's voice simmered with rage. He liked working for Ms. Bristol.

 

[NewGame8]

Thornton was sitting on his balcony reading when he heard the phone ring. When he heard was the Director of Security told him he saw red. "Dave, do not let him go anywhere. Ms. Bristol was right. Do not call the police. Send one of your security personnel to Ms. Bristol's suite and just make sure she does not leave. Which guest was it?" When Dave told him, Thornton became even angrier. "I will be with you in one second."

He was out of his mind. Thornton was tired of the spoiled little brats acting like they owned the place.... owned every place. He got on the elevator and rode down to where Breyer was staying. "Thanks Dave. You did a great job with this. I want you to go to video and make sure that I have copies of the tapes of the assault, and any other actions this punk may have been involved in tonight. Bring them to my office as soon as you have them. I will make sure this guy gets out of the Chelsea."

Thornton watched Dave walk toward the door. As Dave exited the room Thornton called to him again.. "Once again Dave..... great work." Dave waved to Thornton and exited Breyer's suite.

Gerald Thornton then turned to Breyer who was just exiting the bedroom with his bags. "Sit down you little fucking punk." Breyer started to say something, but Thornton cut him off. "You are going to listen to exactly what I say, and you are going to adhere to it. Sit down now, before they take you out of here in an ambulance.... or maybe even a morgue wagon."

Breyer was not used to having anyone talk to him like that. People always bent over backward to give him what he wanted. They wanted him in their establishments so they put up with him. He had a feeling at this moment, however, that it was in his best interest to sit. So, he took a seat on the sofa and looked up at Thornton.

Thornton was very direct... leaving no doubt about what he meant. "You will NEVER come back to the Chelsea. You will never set foot in MY establishment ever again... as long as you live. If you do, you will experience pain like you cannot imagine. I am not just talking physical pain, but emotional pain will accompany it. You will never mention this little conversation we are having to anyone. If you do... pain... and then the release of the tapes of your assault on my staff member, and anything else you have done here.... followed by a call to the police."

Thornton was staring at Breyer... almost hoping for the wrong reaction, but Breyer was sitting there quietly... there was fear in his eyes. "You will avoid Las Vegas for a very long time. I will be speaking with the owners of the other properties here and telling them that you are not welcome in this town. They will understand. We have an agreement for people like you. If you come back. My people will find you."

Thornton had to keep talking to make sure he didn't reach out and grab the worm and strangle him. "Now, get up, get your shit and get out. I will have a taxi take you to the airport. Where you go from there is up to you."

Thornton rode down the elevator and made sure that Breyer got into a taxi... not into a limo as he was accustomed. He took 2 $100 bills out of his pocket and told the cabbie to take the guy to the airport and no place else. "If he gets out anyplace else, you come back here and tell me personally."

Thornton turned around and went back inside. He got in the elevator and rode up to check on Lily Bristol.

 

[wideeyedone]

Lily changed into her favorite worn in jeans to go with her faded t shirt. She was curled up barefoot on the loveseat. She had ice on her, and was rubbing the knot on her head. She jumped a little when she heard the knock on the door. She wasn't surprised to see Thornton standing in her doorway.

"It isn't as bad it looks. I am alright. " Her voice was soft and tinged with emotion. "Dave Packer was fabulous. He and his guys got there really fast. I was never in any real danger."

She invited Thornton inside and let the door close behind him. She felt a little unsteady on her feet and grabbed the side table.

"When he hit me, I bumped my head on the elevator wall." She looked up at him. "I am ok. Please don't think I can't handle this."

 

[NewGame8]

"I spoke with Dave briefly. He gave me the condensed version of the events. I have him pulling the tape of the incident, and anything else he can find that involved that punk tonight. He will be rewarded for what he did tonight. I also spoke with the punk. I escorted him out of the building and had him delivered to the airport. He is not welcome here..... EVER."

Thornton watched Lily move with an uneasiness and steady herself on the table. He wrapped his arm around her waist and helped her over to the sofa. "I can tell that it is useless to try to get you to go to the emergency room, but I am going to have my doctor come and take a look at you. This is not open to debate."

After making a phone call, Thornton sat next to Lily on the sofa placing his hand on her knee. "You know, I like people that are involved in their work, but this is going too far Lily," he joked and smiled at her. "The doctor will be here shortly. He will check you out. You will rest until he says you are ok to return to work.... once again it is non-negotiable."

 

[wideeyedone]

Lily couldn't help herself, she smiled up at him.

"My head hurts." She whispered and set her head down on the arm of the loveseat. "I really was okay. I knew the security guys were coming." Her voice was soft and light. She hoped the mark on her face wasn't too bad. She could feel how tender her cheek was by just running her tongue along the inside of it.

She curled up and tried to relax next to Thornton. It seemed she had just closed her eyes for a moment when she heard another knock on the door. The doctor was ushered in by Dave personally.

"Mr. Thornton, one of my men is at the airport. We will know when Breyer is on his flight." Dave smiled at Lily. "Ms. Bristol, you take care now." Dave let himself out and the doctor checked Lily over. He didn't say much, he examined her head, the bruise on her cheek. He turned her arm over in the light and the finger marks of Breyer's friend were darkening in.

"She shouldn't be alone. I don't think there is a concussion but with a head injury it is hard to tell. Her wrist is badly bruised, and she is going to have a black eye and that mark is going to get darker. Ms. Bristol, I hope you got a few shots in."

Lily did her best to smile. The doctor retrieved a few pills for discomfort. Lily set them on the table.

"You don't have to stay...." She said as she nestled into the couch. Her face was soft and her hair was spilled around her on the couch.

 

[NewGame8]

Thornton thanked Dave for his fine work and asked him to stop at his office tomorrow morning. After Dave left, Thornton listened to what the doctor said and escorted the doctor to the door. He thanked the doctor for coming out on such short notice and at such a late hour.

After letting the doctor out, Thornton got a glass of water for Lily and walked over to where she was curled up on the sofa. He picked the pills up that the doctor had left for Lily, and held out his hand to her. "Lily, take these. They will help. They are not that strong, but they will dull the pain a little."

Lily looked at him. He knew she must have had a minor concussion, because she was a little slow to process. Thornton put the pills back on the table. "I am going to stay here tonight. You should not be alone. I will wake you up every once in a while to make sure you are ok." He went to the closet, took out a blanket, and covered Lily with it. Thornton then went over and sat in the chair across from the sofa; watching Lily closely. He was genuinely concerned about her.

 

[wideeyedone]

Lily let sleep take over her. She could see why Cassie had loved Thornton. He was powerful, not just in wealth but in his manner. He commanded a room. And here he was looking out for her. She hoped that Matt Breyer had made it out alive. She closed her eyes and sunk into sleep.


She awakened to Thornton touching her shoulder. Her head was throbbing.

"My head hurts. " She whispered. This time she took the proffered pills. She could see the midnight sky out the window. She slowly sat up and curled her feet underneath her. She snuggled into the blanket. She tucked her hair behind her ears.

"Thank you for looking after me. I am not used to having someone do that. I have been on my own for so long." She tried to shake that thought off. "I can't believe I let that idiot get the better of me, I should have gotten out of the elevator more quickly."

Lily sighed deeply. She could feel herself tearing up. She tried to blink back the tears. She wiped the few tears that fell.

"I am sorry, I hate crying."

 

[NewGame8]

Thornton sat it the chair and watched Lily closely. He watched to make sure her chest rose and fell... a sure sign that she was breathing. After she slept for a while he went over and placed his hand on her shoulder and gently shook her. "Lily, just wake up for a second. I can't let you sleep all night in case you have a concussion."

When Lily woke up and said her head hurt, Thornton gave her the pills the doctor left. She took them and sat there.. obviously going over the events, and then blaming herself. Thornton sat next to Lily and put an arm around her shoulder.

"Lily, do not blame yourself. You did nothing wrong. Sometimes bad people get a jump on us. He will not be a problem for us again. I guarantee that. Now, just relax." He leaned over and kissed Lily on the forehead and held her close to him. "Would you like to lay in your bed now, or stay out here?"

 

[wideeyedone]

Lily found herself snuggling close. "I just dont want to be alone right now. Would you stay with me? I wont try to seduce you or anything?"

Lily held Thornton's hand and lead him to her bedroom. Her room was still as impersonal as it was when she moved in. Other than books on the desk, it looked as if she were a guest.

Lily walked slowly to the bed and then curled up.

"Do you have brothers and sisters? Are you close to your parents?" Lily asked softly. She pulled up the blanket at the foot of the bed over her feet. She thought Thornton might open up to her in her current state.

 

[NewGame8]

Thornton smiled when Lily said that she wouldn't seduce him. "I am not going anywhere Lily. I will stay with you until you are ready to go back to work, and you are not going back to work until I am convinced you are okay."

He held her hand and followed Lily into the bedroom. He watched her sit down on the bed and pull the blanket up slightly. Thornton went over and sat in the chair. He did not want to give any indication of impropriety.

"Family is not one of my favorite things to discuss. I was never close to anyone..... well there was one person, but .... well, I messed that up big time. More than you can imagine, and I pay for that every day. It isn't one of my highlights."

Thornton sat there thinking about Cassie. He looked at Lily and thought about how earlier she had reminded him of Cassie. It was odd. He couldn't get Cassie out of his mind, and Lily made it even harder to do.

 

[wideeyedone]

Lily allowed herself to fall asleep. She wondered if Thornton was referring to her mother. She felt herself sinking again and she let sleep take her. Dave Packer knocked on the door early in the morning. He arrived with the video of Lily rescuing the waittress and Breyer hitting her in the elevator. When Dave closed his mouth over hers, Lily looked right at the camera. The look on her face was a plead for help.

Packer smiled at Lily sleeping.

"She is a good girl. Everybody likes her." Dave offered with a smile. "You did good Mr. Thornton."

Packer let himself back out and Lily murmured in her sleep, she whimpered a little and then her face relaxed and she relaxed and eased back to sleep.

 

[NewGame8]

Thornton thanked Dave for bringing the video to him. "I know Dave. She is easy to like. Did he get on the plane and leave?" When Dave said he had Thornton thanked him for taking care of the situation. Thornton waved at Dave as he left Lily's suite.

He sat there and continued to look at Lily. He did not sleep much that night. He had spent the entire night making sure Lily was okay. He kept checking to make sure she was breathing; periodically just waking her up for a second to be certain there was nothing wrong.

Dave went to the phone and called down to the kitchen. He had coffee sent up to Lily's suite... he would need the caffeine. He also told them to send up fresh fruit and juice for Lily when she woke up. He then went back and sat there and watched her sleep... all the time amazed at how much she reminded him of Cassie. She was just as beautiful.