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The restaurant is busy, too fucking busy for me to see past everyone to the table in the corner where I left Ember unprotected.

What a fucking idiot.

I never make mistakes.

But when it mattered the most, I left my queen on the board without protection.

CHAPTER THIRTY

EMBER

Ieye Orion’s lava cake with keen interest.

He just left it there, untouched. I wonder if he would notice if I had a bite.

As it is, despite my best efforts to savor my own, it was gone in four tiny bites, and my notorious sweet tooth is unsatisfied.

But alas, stealing his dessert on our first date probably isn’t a great start to whatever the fuck we’re doing here.

To distract myself from the tempting morsel, I glance around the busy restaurant.

Our table is situated in the back corner with a perfect view of the whole room, making it a table I would have chosen for myself. When you make enemies at the rate I do, it’s best to always have your guard up to avoid any incidents when I’m off the job.

I guess Orion probably gravitates toward these kinds of seats for similar reasons. With his status as the city’s most eligible bachelor, it probably gives him the chance to escape the paparazzi if they slip past the restaurant’s security.

This place is busy as hell considering the food is so tiny, but then again, it’s not really about the food.

Dining in a place like this is about status.

You could have all the money in the world, but if you’re eating at the local diner instead of a place like this, you’re probably going to be looked down upon by your peers.

Personally, I’ve never given a fuck about that kind of thing. I’d take a greasy cheeseburger and some fries over this every single day of the week, but that’s not to say I don’t understand eating here, even with the price tag and tiny food.

I cast another longing glance at Orion’s plate and sigh. He’d definitely notice if I had a bite.

Movement catches my eye, and I notice a man in a black suit standing a few tables over, his back leaning against the wall and his gaze locked on the restaurant. When did he get there?

Is he security?

I nibble at my lower lip and fiddle with the bracelet Orion bought me. I think I’m safe here, but I’ve thought that before and have been proven wrong.

But this place is crawling with people. No one would make a move in a busy restaurant, right?

Forcing a calming breath, I take another look around, cataloging all the people who could be here for anything other than an overpriced meal.

To the left there are a couple of men lurking at the edge of a table, but they’re speaking to the couple sitting down, meaning they’re more than likely just catching up with old friends.

Satisfied they’re not a threat, I move on to the outskirts of the room where there’s a woman laughing, her hand pressed to the chest of a man who looks less than interested in her touch. His hard eyes survey the space around him, all but ignoring the blonde as she juts her ample chest out until it brushes his.

I cringe internally. She needs to move on from the dangerous-looking man before he moves her on.

I suck in another breath and settle back into my seat. I’m being ridiculous. But when you’ve lived your life looking over your shoulder, it’s a hard habit to break.

I brush my hands over my dress, wiping away the moisture I didn’t realize had gathered. Something else for my therapist to psychoanalyze.

Where the hell is Orion?

It feels like he’s been gone for ages.