Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 145803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 729(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 486(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 729(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 486(@300wpm)
Benny grinned at her when she handed over her ID. “I recognized your name and gave your group a discount, Vienna. I own the company as well as the bike rental and tour company. I grew up here and started both businesses years ago.”
Even as he talked to her, she could see he was very thoroughly checking her ID.
“I had no idea the businesses, something I love to do so much, would take off the way they did. You’re good to go.” He waved her forward and reached for the next ID.
It made sense that he would have businesses, she had to admit. If Benny was local, had grown up in Vegas, he would have climbed, biked and run the river, even played cards, for most of his life. A lot of owners worked their own businesses, particularly guides. Still, it made her incredibly nervous to know that Stella’s 4Runner would sit unguarded in the parking lot all day and they would be on the river, where anything could happen.
They were being urged into the van, as time was of the essence. Another guide company was behind theirs, and they had to launch immediately and couldn’t miss their window. That meant she didn’t have time to gather her friends and warn them that Benny had been one of the men she’d gambled with and that he’d lost immediately. She had been the one to put him out of the running for the final win. He’d been gracious enough, but that might not matter, not after the warning she’d received. But then, she’d been warned about all the players.
Vienna sighed as she took her seat on the van. Her friends were all around her, but so were the others going on the kayaking adventure with them. It was too close quarters to attempt a private conversation.
Raine caught her eye. “I had no idea Benny Dobsin owned River Adventures.” She just came out and said it in a casual voice, as if Benny were an old friend of theirs and they were just discovering he owned the business.
Vienna followed her lead. “It was a surprise to me as well. He didn’t say a thing to me, about River Adventures or Desert Biking Rentals and Tours.”
“Both businesses are huge. He’s so modest,” Raine continued.
“He’s lived here all his life and knows the river like the back of his hand,” Vienna improvised. “Benny told me he’s been riding in the desert since he was a little kid.”
“Doesn’t he play cards with all the top celebrities too?” Raine asked.
“I think so. He’s really good.” Vienna kept her head down, partially hiding behind Harlow in case anyone else in the van might recognize her from the obnoxious digital pictures displayed on the casino walls, both outside and inside during the tournament. The tournament had been televised for days. Hopefully, no one in the van was a huge poker fan. She slouched in the seat even more.
Benny got behind the wheel, and the doors of the van closed. As he took them toward Hoover Dam, he told them once they were actually at the launch point they would have to move very fast. There was a Porta-Potty. If you had to go, do it fast. If not, skip it because the other company would be coming behind them and want to launch quickly. They would have to carry the kayaks down steep stairs to the river.
The van paused at the Hoover Dam security checkpoint and Benny showed the permits and IDs before taking them through to the launch area. The other van was already there with the kayaks. Benny gave them instructions on the basics of paddling a kayak and water safety as well as making it very clear that everyone was to wear a life jacket at all times. He showed them how to keep things dry, pointed out the line in the water where the serious border alarm was and said no one was to approach it. Once in the water, they were to wait so that everyone launched at the same time. That was one of the reasons it was important to stay together if possible and out of the Porta-Potty.
Vienna and Zahra started down the very steep stairs with their kayak. She was a little surprised that the narrow steps were as difficult as they were. She was used to navigating slate and granite and other kinds of rocks when climbing or hiking, but it did make it awkward with a kayak over her head. As expected, Zahra complained the entire time but never once faltered. She was much shorter than Vienna, and Vienna put her on the high side in order to keep the weight from coming down on her.
Once they placed their kayak, Vienna looked back up and noticed two of the older women who had come together. One had silvery hair wound around her head in a braided figure eight. She wore a tank top and shorts and looked fit. Her companion was a bit shorter, with darker hair streaked with silver cut short in a bob. She wore a light sweater over her tank, but also wore shorts. The two obviously struggled with their kayak as they tried to take it down the narrow, steep staircase leading to the launch.