Page 52 of Rum & Coke

“Tessa, I’ve been watching you for a while, and I can tell that you’re not one to gossip. Sommer doesn’t know you saw us in my office, and that’s what I like about you.”

Sommernowknew I saw them. I didn’t ask any more questions because I just wanted to get my money and not stir up anything. It was bad enough Sommer and I had gotten into a fight the other day and I’d called her out on the BJ. That wasn’t like me at all.

“You’re right. I don’t gossip.” Except with Melony, but I kept that to myself.

“Good. Now, we’re going to go in, sit with some of my friends, and watch a bloody fight. Are you ready?”

I nodded. “Yep.”

After we got nachos and beer—something I never thought I’d see my put-together boss eating or drinking—we walked down to our seats. It was amazing to be so close. As I looked at and listened to those around us, I realized there had already been a few matches, but not the title fight. Sebastian chatted with his friends, to whom he didn’t introduce me when we’d arrived, and it was clear I was here just to be arm candy. The other women seemed to be in the same boat because they too were sitting silently while their dates chatted with Sebastian.

“Do you come to these often?” I asked the redhead sitting next to me after I’d taken my last sip of beer. I didn’t know her name because there had been no introductions between any of us.

The girl turned her head to look at me, and then looked up at her gray-haired date. The guys were in their own conversation and not paying attention to us. “We’re not supposed to talk,” she hissed.

I pulled back. “What? Why?”

“Shh. You’re going to get me in trouble,” she whispered.

I opened my mouth to respond but didn’t. Instead, I looked up at the group of guys, wondering what she meant by getting in trouble. Did he hit her? Get mad at her and yell? Was this why Sebastian invited me to come with him? Did the other girls from Red Diamond talk and get the girls in trouble? Why did women stay with men who were abusive? Money? Fear? Because they had kids? I knew that if it were me, I would take Colton and run far away.

That thought made me think about Vinny and his group of friends. Gabe, Autumn, and Paul taught classes for self-defense. Somehow, I needed to get this chick their info, but then I didn’t want her date to see it, and I couldn’t talk to her again because she didn’t want me to talk to her. I felt horrible for her, and as I leaned forward to get a look at the other girl, my gaze landed on the familiar brown eyes that made me smile.

Vinny smirked at me and then winked as he walked my way. I grinned and stood, but then stopped from running toward him and throwing myself into his arms since I was supposed to be on a date with Sebastian. My eyes widened, and I looked to Sebastian and then to Vinny. Vinny’s eyebrows furrowed and then, as though he’d understood the look on my face, he stopped, said something to Paul, and then motioned with his head for me to come to them.

I stepped next to Sebastian. When he stopped talking and looked down at me, I said, “I’m going to use the restroom before the fight starts.”

“Sure.” He smiled. “Should be starting soon, so hurry back.”

“I will.” I took a few steps forward and felt as though someone was following me. I turned to see that it was Mateo. “You don’t need to come.”

With a straight face, he replied, “Boss’s orders.”

I scrunched my eyebrows. “Really?”

“Yes.”

I wasn’t sure why Sebastian would think that I needed an escort to the restroom. Was it because I’d told him about my stalker the other night? Was he just making sure I didn’t get lost? I followed Vinny’s group of guys up a few stairs and into a lower level where there were concessions and a bunch of people standing around chatting. I stopped walking just before the group of guys. “I see some friends. Are you supposed to report back to the boss?”

He balked. “No.”

“Okay, good.”

I went to Vinny and finally got the hug I was craving. “Having fun?” he asked.

I smiled up at him. “Well, I was fed nachos and beer, so I’d say that’s a good start.”

“You didn’t go to dinner?”

I shook my head. “With my boss?”

“With your date.”

“I don’t think it’s really like what you do.”

“It better not be.”

I cocked my head to the side. “What does that mean?”