“Check it out or copy it?” I say, sucking my whiskey between my teeth.
“I’m sorry?” he asks with a nasty smile. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Who is it?” I snap. My voice is getting louder now, but I don’t really care.
“Who is what?” he asks, but I’m done. I’m done with the act and the lies and being made to look like a fool in my own business.
I grab him by the shirt, making a couple of people around us gasp, and yank his face towards mine. “Cut the crap, Decker. Who have you been sending in to spy and steal and fuck with me? Because nobody fucks with me.”
Still, he smiles. But he’s also got tiny beads of sweat starting to form on the upper rim of his temples, which tells me he’s not as cool as he is trying to play it off.
“I think you’re a bit paranoid, Graves. You keep it kind of hot in here. Maybe you should get some air?”
There is a beat of silence between us, but the tension is so thick in here you could cut it with a knife. “Funny you should mention that. I was about to say the same thing for you.”
“I’m all right. I think I’ll stay. I was about to enjoy myself.” Dylan keeps looking behind me, but I don’t care enough to look over my shoulder.
“That wasn’t a suggestion,” I spit out. “You’re leaving. You’re done taking from me.”
I nod over to the security guards, who have their undivided attention on what’s been going on, but stay still, waiting for my signal. I give a discrete nod to signal them into action.
“I’ve only taken what’s worth it from you, Graves. But you, uh, you can keep the trash.”
His eyes dart down the hallway again before he flashes me one more smile. As my guys escort him out the door. He isn’t fighting them, which is almost more annoying. It’s like he doesn’t care if he is here or not. He’s only doing it to annoy me.
I don’t want to make a scene, look upset, or be off my game. So instead of raking my hands through my hair or wiping my hand down my face like I want to, I just clench my jaw and flexmy hand. I take a sip of my whiskey before grabbing Annelise’s drink and walk down the hall.
When I see her, she is standing against the black velvet curtain. Her chest is rising and falling jaggedly, and her lips are parted enough that her chin is jilted, quivering. My eyes narrow momentarily in question, but before I can ask her what’s wrong, she darts into the ladies’ room.
Chapter 24
Ellie
No. No, no, no.
There is no way that Dylan is here, at the Opal room–in the Velvet Lounge! I see him having a conversation with Damien at the bar like it’s nothing but a casual interaction between work colleagues. I didn’t know they knew one another. This is bad. This is so bad.
I stand in the mirror of the bathroom, praying no one comes in. I can’t seem to catch my breath. I run cold water over my hands long enough to make my fingers numb and then press my palms to my cheeks. I can’t exactly splash water on my face and risk fucking up my makeup, so this will have to do.
The worst part is he saw me. While Damien’s guards tugged his ass towards the exit, he looked straight at me purposefully. It was no accidental look. His head turned slowly, and he stared at me with the same shitty grin he wore on his face years ago when he peacocked his new girlfriend in front of me. He has seen me in the back of a gentleman’s club, which means he can only be thinking one thing.
I’m a slut.
He’s currently out there opening hotels and running hotels; he’d never been able to do that if it weren’t for me. I amthe entire reason he got as far as he did years ago when we were working side by side. Yet here we are, him the owner of a Las Vegas Strip hotel and me, the personal assistant of his competitor.
My phone vibrates in my purse, and at first, I ignore it. I can’t deal with anyone right now. But it starts to blow up, and I know it’s Damien. I have no choice but to answer.
“Yes?” I ask, forcing my voice to be steady.
“Where did you go?” he demands.
“I am in the bathroom. If I’m not mistaken, I am allowed to leave your side to use the bathroom.”
“Well, you’re taking too long,” he says.
“Taking too long?” I reply. “I am following all the rules. You are the one who left me.”
“To get us drinks,” he snaps back. “You’ve been in an off mood all day, and I was trying to ease your nerves.”
