Electrified(13)

The problem was that Sienna Flower was known all over Vegas. Her picture graced a large billboard right before the famous WELCOME TO LAS VEGAS sign. There were Internet chat rooms devoted solely to her performances, the lingerie she wore onstage, and her bad-girl secrets; whatever they might be was anyone’s best guess. Thankfully, no cameras were allowed in the Tunnel.

There was a brief period where all this publicity made Sienna nervous, but the fact she looked nothing like Lila anymore put her at ease. Not to mention, her looks only mattered if she even remotely thought anyone from her old world would be delving into adult entertainment. They would never, ever think, let alone dream she was a stripper who danced onstage and took nearly all her clothes off, baring everything she had to offer.

Still, even if they did, Sienna didn’t look one bit like Lila. She was reinvention, both physical and mental, at its finest.

With this in mind, Sienna seldom went out unless it was a occasional publicity event Asher asked her to do, or her salon trips. For waxing, she went to the Cat’s Meow, and for her hair, she went to the posh private salon for high rollers at one of the luxury hotels on the Strip. Those were her only destinations; everyone else came to her these days. Her manicurist came over on Tuesdays, a personal shopper came as needed, and she ordered her dance clothes shipped straight to the club.

On the day when Sienna had first met Petal, Big Mike had driven her down to the Strip, but he needed to run a quick errand, so she had some time to kill after her waxing was done. Mike was going to swing back and get Sienna at the Cat’s Meow, since she felt more than comfortable waiting there, typically hanging out in the back.

Except on this day, she didn’t stay in the back of the studio; she went to check out the candles in the front of the store. A new girl—Staci, according to her pink pussycat nametag—was answering the phone and booking appointments at the reception desk, but stopped what she was doing to step out and help Sienna with the candles. She was so fresh and innocent, a rarity in Vegas, that Sienna was captivated with what she recognized as a younger version of herself.

Deep in thought over what could have been, and where she might have ended up had she not met Asher, Sienna had heard Staci drawl, “Can I help ya?”

Sienna thought back to her early days in Vegas, to her awful outfits, bad hair, and zero clue as to what it took to succeed in Vegas, and she felt something toward the girl. But it wasn’t pity. Sienna had contemplated the girl in front of her, her mind spinning. If she’s going to make it here, Staci needs to be way more cosmopolitan, polished.

And a rescue fantasy was born.

Vegas was a town of mystique and make-believe. It was an adult fantasy come to life, and there was no room in that fantasy for “hick talk.” Visitors to Sin City wanted to believe they were indulging in a lavish playground for adults. They didn’t want reminders of the farm town they grew up in, or the very image, accent, or background they were trying to lose.

Sienna had answered the question quietly, wanting to strike up more than a conversation with Staci, but needed some time to think about the best way to approach her.

“Yes, will you help me find a few soft scents for my bathroom at home?”

“Whatcha like? Somethin’ flowery? Vanilla?” The girl cocked her hip to one side while her hand rested on it, making her look formidable.

Trying not to show how much the accent was grating on her nerves, Sienna maintained a neutral look on her face and answered, “I like more natural scents. Lily of the Valley…water.”

“Well, I got the water scent right here for ya. Thunderstorm. It smells like rain. Ya want me to add it to your bill for the wax?” More hip cocking, side to side.

Sienna cringed, even though she was trying hard not to show it. “I have an account here. Just have Penelope add it to my charge.”

“What do ya mean, an account? I don’t know nothing about accounts here.” Petal frowned and waved her hands in the air helplessly.

Taking pity, Sienna decided to step outside her comfort zone and explained softly, “Staci, my name is Sienna. Sienna Flower. I’m one of a few women with personal accounts here. Penelope does it as a courtesy to a few of her more frequent customers.”

“Oh! Oh my God! I didn’t recognize you with the hat and the glasses and all the clothes. Sienna Flower from the billboard!” Staci shrieked while jumping up and down.

“Shh, right. That’s me, but let’s keep it quiet. Staci, why don’t you send your calls to voice mail and let’s go have a cup of tea in the back.”

Staci stopped jumping, her eyes widening to the point she looked downright frightened.