"Mommy?"

I heard the sweetest little voice I've ever heard calling out for his mommy.

Where was I? I opened my eyes to brilliant beauty all around me.

I couldn't remember where I was, or what I was doing, so how did I get here? Wherever here is?

I felt warm and safe wherever I was.

"Hailey?"

I heard my name being called in the distance, as I turned towards where I heard the voice, I saw a warm and wonderful bright light. It felt peaceful and I found myself walking towards it.

"Wait Mommy!" The same little boy's voice called out, this time I felt a gentle tug from a small hand on my own that stopped me in my tracks.

Did he mean me? Mommy?

I looked down upon his adorable little face. He couldn't have been older than five.

"Hi Mommy" the cute little dark haired boy smiled a bright smile at me.

I'd recognize those eyes anywhere, they were Cole's eyes, beautiful sea blue with a hint of green...Cole's happy eyes.

"Hhiii" I managed to get out as I stared at my beautiful boy, my son with Cole. Am I dreaming? I have to be dreaming?

"Daddy is looking for you mommy, you have to go now" he tugged at my arm.

"Luka?"

A familiar female voice called out but I couldn't see a face to go with the voice.

"I have to go Mommy" Luka smiled at me before he turned towards the voice that called out to him before looking back at me.

"Go find daddy, he needs you mommy" he rushed forward to hug me, then he was fading away right in front of me as he walked away.

"Wait! Luka?" I cried out desperately, not ready for him to leave yet.

"Yes mommy?" He asked once he turned around.

"Am I dreaming?" I asked in amazed wonder.

His sweet little giggle was all I heard before I felt as if I was falling.

————

My throat was crushed, that much I knew when I opened my eyes, which happened to feel as if they were bulging out of my head. I had a pounding headache and I was so confused as to what was happening.

Roxie was sitting next to me on the bed staring at a spot on the floor talking, I caught her mid-sentence, Ryan was no where to be found.

"...that old man and the shit I had to do? All I wanted was Cole, he was going to be mine, then you walked in like you were hot shit and took him. Cole never looked at me again, it was supposed to be me, you didn't put in any time to earn him" she turned her head, but I closed my eyes quickly before she saw them open, I didn't want her to know I was awake.

I felt the bed move at the same time I heard the distinct sound of a switchblade knife open.

"Stupid bitch" she mumbled

Before I could even finish the thought in my head of her killing me, I felt the rope on my right hand release, my heart raced in anticipation.

My mind tried to keep up with the quick turn of events Roxie was making happen.

I could still feel the strap on my leg, I knew I'd only have one chance to get to my knife, so I needed to time it right.

The slight weight of her one hundred ten pounds lifted from the bed and I felt my right leg release once she cut the rope.

My heart pounded in my ears.

My left leg released when she rounded the bed.

This was it, I knew what I had to do, It was going to be me...or it was going be her, but only one of us was leaving this room alive.

When I felt her grab the rope to my left hand, to cut me completely free, I slowly slid my right hand between my thighs and grabbed the handle of the dagger.

As she leaned down to slice the rope, I pulled the blade out and in one swift motion, I plunged the blade into her neck without making a sound.

The noise that Roxie made however will haunt me forever.

Her gurgled scream caught in her throat as her hands went to the blade in her neck and pulled it out while she clung to the last minutes of life as her heart pumped out the blood, in spurts, from her neck through her fingers; then she collapsed to the floor.

I took the opportunity to scramble off the bed and grabbed the knife she dropped, and mine, since I have no idea where Ryan is.

Once I had both of the knifes I looked around the room for anything that could help me.

I couldn't hear any movement from the living room suite but I was still scared shitless to open the door and look. I slowly crept over to the large wooden french doors and opened one door to peer out of the slight crack between them into the living room suite.

"Ghost?" I croaked out through my sore, crushed, windpipe when I saw Ghost on the floor with blood pooled under him coming from his right shoulder.

I swallowed and tried to clear my throat.

"Ghost?" I called to him again as I threw the door open and ran over to him, falling to my knees next to him, I heard the expensive red dress rip when my knees landed on it and pulled it down.

Taking care not to giggle him too much, I accessed that he'd been shot in the right shoulder, just above his bullet proof vest line under his collar bone. It was a clean exit out of his back, but he'd lost blood in the minutes he's laid here.

I jumped up and ran into the bathroom to grab some towels to apply pressure to it.

Diesel came into the open hotel suite door from the main hallway, scaring the shit out of me, as I came running back into the living room to Ghost.

"What the fuck happened? You okay Hailey? We left you two up here for ten minutes! Who the fuck shot him?!" He loudly panted out as if he had been fighting too.

"My guess would be Roxie, she was going to kill me...but I-...it's a clean exit, he'll be okay" I rambled as I pressed a hand towel that I folded up on his collar bone to stop the bleeding. I didn't want to utter the words of what I had done.

"Roxie?! Where-

"Diesel?!" I screamed at him "There is so much more to worry about right now than Roxie, she can't hurt us anymore. Help me hold him up so I can wrap this like a sling" I instructed Diesel when he crouched down to help me with Ghost.

"We need to find Cole, now, Ryan told me he gutted him" My raspy voice was urgent.

He furrowed his brow at me like I had five heads.

"Prick was fucking with you, Cole's on his way back up here to the room in a few. Me and Ghost got to Cole, before those two mother fuckers got him off the casino floor, then tracked you up here and got into the room. Cole wanted to get Ryan downstairs while Ghost sat up here with you until we secured that prick because Cole didn't want you to have to see Ryan's face. None of us had any idea that crazy bitch was running around here like a damn poison pill" Diesel explained and he text someone on his phone, Cole, I assume.

Tears were streaming down my own face in relief as I heard him say Cole was safe.

"Thank God..hold him a second" I let go of Ghost and ran back into the bedroom to grab two pillow cases because I couldn't tie the fluffy towels tight enough for a sling.

Roxie was definitely dead, and the reality of what I had done sunk in, making me shake now from shock.

I quickly stripped the pillows and tied them tightly together as I walked back to Ghost and Diesel.

Ghost was starting to make groaning noises, making me move faster, I wanted to finish up before he woke up and made it harder on me.

The king size pillow cases worked perfect and I was able to tie a sling and use the towels by applying pressure to the entry and exit wounds secured under the sling.

"What the fuck man?" Ghost groaned trying to sit up "That crazy fucking bitch shot me" He groaned again as Diesel helped sit him up against the couch.

"Yeah, she did, so stop trying to move" I told him as I headed straight to the bar pouring three glasses of whiskey from a bottle. I handed both of them a glass, then shot back the large pour of amber liquor of my own, it burned as it went down.

"Yuck" I shook my head in disgust while sticking my tongue out "Ugh" I complained and wiped my mouth.

Ding

The elevator sounded through the open hotel door making my head snap to the doorway. I slammed my glass down on the bar and ran out into the hallway, about knocking Cole over, when he stepped out of the elevator as I threw my arms around him.

His arms closed around me and held me tight.

"I got you baby... I'm sorry...I'm so sorry. I didn't know that psycho bitch was in the building. Are you okay?" He asked as he held my face with his hands and searched my eyes for the truth.

"I killed her Cole" I whispered

"I know Hail, you survived, again. And I let you down, again, I'm sorry" his eyes were in downcast pride.

"Don't" I grabbed his face and made him look at me "Don't, you saved me from him Cole, I handled Roxie but Ryan? I don't even want to think about what would have happened to me if you wouldn't have gotten to me when you did. Now what?" I asked but didn't let him answer. I pushed up on my tip toes and kissed him before he could answer me.

He pulled me close and I wrapped my arms around him as our kiss deepened.

"Not yet love" he said once he pulled back from me, breaking the kiss first.

"Duck, Seven and the Prospect took Ryan out somewhere to hold until you decide what you want" Cole informed me as he led me into the hotel suite.

"Hey bother, ya good?" Cole asked Ghost as he went to the bar for a drink.

"Yeah, I'm alright, the crazy bitch" Ghost complained.

I had an idea pop into my head that I couldn't wait one more second for as I watched the man I love more than life tip back a shot of liquor. I still couldn't shake my dream and the sweet little boy, Luka, and how it made me feel.

"Baby?" I called out to Cole excitedly.

"What's wrong?" Cole asked me grabbing his gun due to the heightened tone in my voice.

I raised my hand up and lowered his gun down as I shook my head no to him.

"Before we do anything with that bastard, I want to cash in my corn hole win, remember that?" I asked him grinning ear to ear.

He tilted his head at me returning my smile now.

"Yeah, I remember, what could you possible want right now after everything tonight?" He asked through a laugh.

"To go see Elvis and marry you, right now, this minute...tonight" I said searching his face for any fear or doubt.

He didn't show anything but love and happiness, true happiness.

"Let's go, right now, on the way out of town? After everything that's happened to me in the last few months with you, what I've learned is that you are not promised tomorrow, and I want to be your wife today...I love you" I confessed looking into his eyes and watching them swirl with emotions.

"You really mean it?" He asked exited now.

"Yep! I'll have Lana and Bennie meet us there, I know everyone can't go but we can have a big party at home when the dust settles, everyone will understand. Ghost and Diesel are here, let's do this baby, please"

"Abso-fuckin-lutely baby! We need to get the fuck out of here anyway. A...um, cleaning crew, is coming for Roxie" Cole was ready to move now, I could see him switching gears, he was already helping Ghost up.

"Can you move on your own Ghost?" Cole asked Ghost once he helped him up with Diesel's help.

"Yeah I'm good, Let's do this brother, you're getting married! Fuck yeah!" Ghost had gotten a little color back in his face.

"Hailey, hit me with that bottle darlin, please?" Ghost asked leaning on Diesel making their way out the door.

I grabbed the whiskey bottle off the bar, then Cole's hand, and we left the latest path of our destruction behind us.

We stopped back in our room long enough for me to change into my black leather pants and a deep plum colored hoodie with my black leather jacket.

Cole packed up the rest of our stuff while I changed and called Lana to explain what happened. Once she stopped freaking out, I told her about getting married, I told her to call Bennie and no one else right now, we'd tell everyone after it's over.

Evan, the guy Cole had seen me talking with at Lana's knocked on the hotel door, Cole had called him for cleanup.

"What's up Pres, what do you need?" Evan asked once inside the room.

"Take all our shit back to our place and head cleanup in the other room, get Donnie's old lady to come out so she can patch up Ghost in a couple hours" Cole fired off orders, before leaning in close to Evan, telling him something I couldn't hear.

"You got it brother, good luck!" Evan slapped Cole on the back and smiled a congratulations smile towards me.

"Thanks" I smiled and pulled on Cole's arm, I couldn't wait anymore, I wanted to tell him about my dream too.

Leaving Evan to do his job, the four of us managed to get downstairs, where a black van was parked at valet waiting for us.

Cole juiced the valet with cash after he helped Ghost into the van.

We were going to get married at, The Little White Chapel of Love, right off the strip. I didn't even care how cheesy it was, I just wanted to be Cole's wife, Mrs. Cole Thomas. I called on the way to make the arrangements.

It only took a few minutes at this time of night to get to the chapel from the hotel. It was 2:34am on December 21st and I was getting married.

As the van rolled up Lana and Bennie were waiting for us outside the chapel in the parking lot. I knew Lana was freaking out to see Ghost, so I wanted to let her have a few minutes with him alone before we did the ceremony.

Lana ran straight to Ghost and we left them to walk behind the group of us as we made our way inside the chapel.

"Hey, How ya y'all doin?" The Elvis impersonator asked as he posed in a classic Elvis pose when we walked inside the chapel.

"Hi! We called for Thomas and Scott" I spouted out, too excited to contain myself.

Elvis took my hand and kissed it.

"This way little darlin, you and the groom need to sign a few things, then go right that way with Pricilla" The spot on impersonator waved me off to a lady who looked like Pricilla Prestly in 1973.

Cole and I signed some papers with all of our important legal information for our license before having to go to our separate rooms.

Cole grabbed my hand, and pulled me back to him to kiss me goodbye, a lip searing kiss that lit my thighs on fire.

When I moaned, Lana grabbed me and pulled me from Cole, she had come out of nowhere. I laughed giddily as she pulled me down the hallway.

"See you soon baby" I heard Cole call out behind me.

Lana, Bennie and I followed Pricilla into a room.

"It'll just be a few minutes since y'all chose the platinum package. Are you ready?" Pricilla asked.

"Yes, I've never been more ready for anything in my life" I answered honestly.

I heard "Love me Tender" start up and I felt butterflies for a fleeting moment, not from fear, but excitement for our future together.

Lana squealed, and brought her hands up, shaking them a little in excitement. Bennie smiled widely, then asked me if I was ready to go claim my man, and handed me a store bought bouquet of purple callalilies.

We were walking out of the room and down the isle before I knew it, then I was standing in front of Cole within seconds, the man of my dreams.

I don't know if either of us heard much of what The King said because we couldn't take our eyes off each other, we were lost in each other, until Ghost smacked Cole in the back of the head making him snap his eyes to Elvis.

"Do you take, Hailey Ann Scott, to be your little lady in life and the here-after? To be devoted to her, and only her, for the rest of your days, in sickness and health?" Elvis asked Cole.

"I do" Cole answered as fast as he was asked.

"Hailey, do you take Cole Lucas Thomas, to be your king, in this life and the here-after? To be devoted to him, and only him, for the rest of your days, in sickness and health?"

"I do" I replied with a smile so big it hurt my cheeks.

"By the power vested in me, by the state of Nevada, and as I pronounce you legally married!" The King bellowed loudly to our small group of friends, and the next group of people waiting to get married.

"Step right over there to Ann-Margaret and sign your marriage license so it can be submitted to the Clark County Court house, Congratulations!" He said and ushered us off the podium quickly.

We signed a few more documents, and Ann told us we'd have our official marriage certificate within ten days, and that was it, I was married.

I was Mrs. Cole Thomas!

I couldn't wait to get home tonight to celebrate!

As we made our way out of the chapel, I was hanging onto Cole's bicep with both hands, I wanted to be as close to him as possible.

As the cold night air hit my face, cleansing me of the last 24 hours, we were laughing, happy to be with each other, so I guess that's why no one saw it; until it was too late and already happening.

A group of about fifteen police cars had the parking lot blocked off and the van surrounded, guns drawn and pointed on us, a red dot on Cole.

The world stopped, then started at supersonic speed in my head, as we were rushed and Cole was knocked to the ground.

"Don't move Thomas!" A deep voice yelled at Cole, as I felt someone grab me and pull me back from where I had been standing by Cole.

"Don't make it hard on yourself Ms. Scott-

"It's Mrs. Thomas actually" I sassed and pulled my arms from the cop.

"Hailey, don't baby. Ghost, call Fletcher, and take care of my wife" Cole managed to get out before he was kicked in the gut repeatedly.

"Stop it!!" I screamed "Please don't" I struggled against the chick cop who had a hold of me.

"He's not fighting, and I'll calm down, Please?" I settled down immediately. I had never had anything like this happen before.

"Calm down or you will go into the tank for the night. Right now, we're only coming for your old man, don't give us a reason to take you too" the female cop held my arm tightly as she spoke to me.

A mean ass looking asshole in a suit stepped up to Cole with a cocky grin on his face and I got a sick feeling. They had stopped kicking him. Tears ran down my face.

What the actual fuck was happening? We just got married!

"Cole Thomas, you're under arrest for the murder of Ernesto Bianco. You have the right to remain-

I didn't hear the rest. I think I fainted.

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Author's Note:

Hey guys! One last chapter and then the epilogue and Starting Over In Sin City will be complete. I can't believe I am even saying that! It's been a long road at times with life getting in the way but I want to thank every one of you who read this story. It's the first I've written to completion. I started Up In Flames first but couldn't finish it. I will work on that next, but Y'all made me finish this story by all of your votes and comments. Even just the "please updates" that validates you like what I'm putting out. I'm sorry for the long delays at times but I thank you all so much for sticking with me.

Love A💋

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