Page 111 of Nails

Riley nodded.“Of course.”

She turned gracefully and walked toward the bar in the suite, the click of her heels the only sound she heard through the noise in her head.She felt the weight of his gaze cling to her back the whole way.But she refused to let it show.

A few minutes later, with a polished smile and steady hands, Riley moved from one man to the next, offering each his drink with a subtle nod and a perfectly timed word of courtesy.She knew how to work a room and how to give just enough warmth to make them feel seen, without ever letting them get too close.

Tomas took his vodka tonic with a leering grin.“How long have you been working here, sweetheart?”

“Not long,” Riley said smoothly.

Raphael chuckled, sipping his bourbon.“And already Adam’s favorite?”

She shrugged lightly.“I guess I make a strong first impression.”

Umar tilted his head.“Where are you from?”

“Miami,” she answered, flashing the lie like a business card, and keeping her answers short.

As she handed Santino his martini, he eyed her over.“Come sit with me for a bit,” he said.

Riley offered a polite smile and shook her head.“Appreciate the offer, but I’m on the clock.Besides, I hear Adam has a few surprises planned for you gentlemen tonight.”

The words tasted like poison.Every syllable twisted in her gut, knowing full well what those “surprises” really meant.They were women, most likely unaware they were about to be paraded around while being ogled, sized up, and possibly sold like property.

She moved on, offering Ronan his neat scotch, which he took without a word.Then finally, she stepped in front of Chen, the weight of his eyes crawling up her spine as she placed his glass in front of him.

“Thank you,” he said, voice low and deliberate.“So, Riley, tell me what it is that makes you—”

The sound of the glass doors being thrown open, followed by a high-pitched screech, cut him off.

Startled, Riley turned just in time to see a disheveled Anya charging at her like a freight train.And from the murderous expression on her face, she wasn’t there for a reunion.

Trailing behind her, too far away to stop her, were Adam and Erik, and they really looked pissed off.

Riley wondered what was going on.

“You bitch!”Anya shrieked and lunged at Riley with her hands outstretched.

But Riley didn’t flinch or back down.

Anya tried to take a clumsy swing at Riley’s face, but Riley’s defensive training kicked in instantly, and she easily stepped to the side, letting Anya’s fist sail past, and then she struck.

Riley dropped her tray and moved so fast that it stunned everyone.In a blink, she deflected Anya’s swing, twisted her arm behind her back, and slammed her over a nearby barstool with a sharp cry of pain.Leaning in close to her ear, Riley barked, “I have had enough of your shit!I can break your arm, or you can walk away.It is your call.”

Anya whimpered in pain, still seething but frozen in place beneath Riley’s grip.“Let me go!”Anya shouted.

Riley tightened her grip, making Anya scream.“If I let you go, I don’t expect ever to be threatened by you again.Do you understand?”

“Yes, yes.Let me go,” Anya said, and Riley let her up.

Riley’s heart was still racing as Anya was dragged out of the suite, kicking and cursing like a woman possessed.The room buzzed with murmurs and shifting glances, but Adam was already at her side, one hand hovering protectively at her lower back, his expression a mask of concern.

“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice low and sincere.“She slipped away from Erik and me.I knew she was heading here, but I couldn’t get to you fast enough.”

Riley forced a tight smile and shook her head.“It’s okay.I’m fine.”Her voice sounded steadier than she felt, but she needed to keep the focus off herself.

Chen was there next to Adam, looking her over.He lifted an eyebrow.“Where did you learn to defend yourself like that?”he asked, and a few of the others agreed.A few of them even complimented her on her skills.

Thinking quickly, she blurted out the first thing that came to mind.“I took a few self-defense classes when I was in college.You know, a young woman on a college campus can’t be too careful.”