Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 89758 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 449(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89758 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 449(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
This wasn’t new, nor was I offended. It was a regular question. Part of the job. “You can always take me in your memories,” I replied with a smile. “Are you boys ready to order some more food?” I asked.
They were laughing at their friend or my response to him.
“Boom! She burned your ass,” one of them said with a cackle.
I knew to wait it out when drunken men started this line of talk. See if they were going to order, and if not, walk away.
“I can give you whatever you want. I’ve got more money than God,” the guy said, leaning forward in my direction.
“Your daddy has more money than God,” one of his friends said, and they all started laughing again.
He didn’t care or look away from me. The wealthy, spoiled, drunk ones were always the wild cards. When they didn’t get what they wanted or their money couldn’t buy them what they wanted, they got angry, or they got bored. I was hoping this one got bored.
“I bet you don’t care whose money it is, do you, beautiful?”
I started to respond when a hand touched my back, startling me. I jerked my head around, ready to shove someone back. Touching was not allowed.
“She’s not fucking interested. How many times does she need to say it?” Rio’s voice sounded on edge.
“Who the fuck asked you?” The guy stood up, shoving the table a little and making his drink slosh over the top.
“Sit down, Jude,” one of the others at the table said.
“She’s just a waitress, man. Stop being an ass,” another said.
Rio’s hand slid to my waist, and his grip firmly tightened, as if he were afraid I was going to be taken at any moment. I started to tell him to let go when his gaze moved to meet mine, and the words got stuck in my throat. It was seven years ago all over again, and Rio was protecting me. The same look in his eyes daring anyone to say another word about me.
“Angel,” Saint’s voice called out, and although I knew he wasn’t happy with the situation, I couldn’t seem to stop this.
“Let’s go,” Rio said.
“Hey, man, where are you taking her? We need more food,” one of the guys at the table said.
I heard them, but my body was currently wanting to obey Rio. I was unable to do anything but stand here and consider leaving with him. When my head knew good and well that couldn’t happen. This job had been our salvation. Rio hadn’t been.
“Take your hand off her.” Saint’s commanding voice snapped my moment of insanity, and I blinked, remembering who I was and what the hell I was doing.
Rio didn’t move his hand, but I stepped away from him.
“I’m sorry,” I said to Saint.
Trix was there then, and she began taking the table’s order.
“Go to the back until I come get you,” Saint said to me, but his eyes were locked on Rio’s.
“I’m f-f-fine,” I said, not wanting to leave the two of them standing there in some sort of face-off.
“Hey, man, think it’s time we move on. Other places to be,” Drake said as he approached us.
I was relieved to see the rest of his party was also on their feet and headed this way.
Rio kept his gaze locked on me. I tried to look away, but he was making it impossible.
“Bryn,” he said my name. Just my name.
But the way he’d said it sounded like he meant more. I knew he didn’t, and if I was being honest with myself, I knew Rio March enough to know this had to do with his conscience. Not me. He felt guilty that I worked topless. Maybe deep down, I wanted him to.
The truth was, it was my sister’s actions that had set this in motion. Yes, he had fired me, but it had been six months, and I had blamed him in the beginning. I didn’t anymore. This situation was one that Tory’s actions had caused. Not his. I wasn’t going to pretend otherwise.
“I think your f-f-friend has the b-b-best idea. Good-bye, Rio,” I said through the strange lump that had suddenly formed in my throat.
I guessed old habits died hard, and Rio was definitely an old habit for me. At least, feeling something where he was concerned was an old habit.
I didn’t wait to see what he would say or do. I had to get distance from him before I did something stupid, like walk out on a job that had given me the first real security in my life.
“Don’t,” I heard Saint’s warning, and I winced.
Although I wanted to turn around, I didn’t. I kept walking toward the back door leading to the offices. Saint was right. I needed to get out of sight until this was over. I didn’t stop until I was in Saint’s office, wrapped back up in his jacket. Then, I stood there and stared at the wall. Remembering a time when I had thought life would be different.