Page 93 of Beautifully Ruined

Probably the manager who’s been told to stay where he is until everyone leaves.

I know I need to say something to her about this whole thing, but I’m shaking inside.

Vi turns, her green eyes on me, and my heart lurches.

Fury flares inside.

“Cade—”

“No. I’m…just… Fuck.” I get up, stalk to the bar, and pick up the bottle of whiskey, pouring a shot. I down it, trying to calm my jangled nerves.

Finally, I walk back to the table and set the bottle and an extra glass down, pouring more into my tumbler.

I hold the bottle out to her, even though she hasn’t finished her wine, and she nods.

With a barely withheld sigh, I pour her some and slide it over.

Then, setting the bottle down, I shake my head. “What the fuck, Vi?”

“I couldn’t stop. I couldn’t…”

I rub my eyes. “I don’t mean your word deluge, I mean you. Turning up. Here.”

“Excuse me?” Her eyes flash. “I thought I was dropping in on my boyfriend having dinner with his friend. I didn’t except you to lie to me.”

“I didn’t lie.”

“So, are you telling me Enzo had a body transplant?”

I take a deep gulp of my drink. “Forgive me for not wanting to get your hopes up.”

“My hopes? I?—”

I hold up a hand.

This isn’t the place for this conversation.

Do I think Thomas Allistair had the place wired for sound and picture? No. I don’t. But I also wouldn’t put it past him.

Maybe this is where he has all his final meetings before he makes a decision. Maybe he goes over the footage after.

The fact that Vi turned up unexpectedly is neither here nor there. On the offhand the place is wired, us airing dirty laundry, complete with her pretty panties, is not a smart move.

Actually, it’s never a smart move.

Not in situations like this.

I saw his computer set up, and I already knew his security. While above a lot of people’s, it isn’t exactly top of the range. But I don’t want to take any chances. Not here, not now, not with Violet.

Who is wearing an interesting outfit.

What did Allistair say? That she’s naked under the coat. She certainly didn’t want to take it off, but men like him always go for the sleaziest option.

I should know, my mind went here, too.

“Drink up. And then we should go. But first, if our partnership is going to keep working, your jealousy needs to stay in its box, you hear me? I had my reasons to keep this meeting a secret from you.”

She opens her mouth, then shuts it, like she’s getting my silent signals to not talk about anything of importance in here.