“Who’s this?” Alex asks, suddenly too close, his hand resting on the small of my back. I want to pull away, but I’m frozen on the spot, my mind struggling to cope with the horrifying implications.
Jeremy offers a polite nod along with his hand to shake. “Jeremy. Raina’s boyfriend.”
“Ex-boyfriend,” I’m quick to correct him. “What are you doing here?”
“I told you.” He chuckles and hands me the flowers. “So this is where you work, huh? Interesting.”
He knows I work at Haus of Sin. How did he find out? Vivian would’ve never told him. My breath feels shallow. My skin feels cold. Dread washes over me. My lips won’t move, and I don’t know how to prevent a disaster from unfolding.
“Haus of Sin,” Jeremy adds, sounding particularly pleased with his discovery. “Who’d have thunk?”
“How did you find this place?” Alex cuts in.
Max and Vincent quietly come to stand next to me, and the air grows heavy and harder to breathe. The tension is too much to bear, but I can’t walk away. Jeremy is standing onthe doorstep of Haus of Sin, and I have no idea what to do next.
“I did a little digging, things any capable attorney would do when he needs to find out the truth,” Jeremy says, exuding professional confidence.
“Who told you I work here?” I ask.
“You know I can’t divulge my sources,” he replies.
“You looked through Vivian’s phone when she wasn’t at her desk.” It’s the only conclusion that makes sense, and judging by the wiggle of Jeremy’s eyebrows, I called it.
He laughs lightly. “I’m resourceful when I’m determined.” He pauses and nods at Alex again. “I’ve heard nothing but great things about you, Mr. Forbes.”
“And I have never heard anything about you, Jeremy,” Alex bluntly replies. “Why don’t you do yourself a favor and keep it that way by getting the fuck off my property?”
Jeremy lifts an eyebrow, then looks around. “Haus of Sin. The rumors are true, then. Some rich folks pay ridiculous amounts of money to do what, exactly? Eat and drink and fuck like kings? And queens, I’m guessing by the pink Bentley parked outside,” he says, then looks at me. “Or is that yours, Raina? You gave up on your culinary aspirations?”
“What? No, I’m a chef here!” I reply, my face burning red. “Jeremy, you shouldn’t be here.”
“It’s a free country. I just wanted to see where my girlfriend was spending the rest of her winter.”
“Ex-girlfriend,” Vincent growls and takes a step forward, reminding Jeremy he isn’t the biggest, nor the fiercest, in theroom. “And you were already asked to leave once. Don’t make me ask you again.”
Jeremy chuckles and takes a couple of cautious steps back. It’s cold outside, and the winter chill quickly seeps into my bones. I tremble under my uniform, but Alex keeps me close. Despite the obvious threat, I feel safe beside him.
“Ah, so you’re just cooking here,” Jeremy comments, eyeing me. “Whew! For a second there, I thought you were one of the service girls. What do they call them at Haus of Sin again, hostesses? Is that a fancy word for whores?”
“You’d better watch your mouth,” Alex says.
I toss the roses back at Jeremy, but he doesn’t catch the bouquet. He lets them fall, and they land on the cold stone. He gives me a bitter look. “I doubt you would’ve made much as a hostess, unless they’ve got clients who like their whores chubby.”
In less than a split second, Max has Jeremy by the throat, his grip so tight I can hear him choking and wheezing, desperate for air.
“Say that again, I dare you. Let’s see if you still have teeth when you do,” Max hisses.
“Max, please!” I call out. “Don’t; he’s not worth it.”
He lets Jeremy go but stays close, towering over him with nothing but wrath and a thirst for violence in his eyes that leaves Jeremy trembling. He needs a moment to recover his senses, though, and places one hand on his neck while his lips turn pink again.
“I may have gone overboard just now, and I do apologize, Raina, I do,” he manages between ragged breaths. “But I’mdesperate, and you’re not making this any easier. I get frustrated, I say things I don’t really mean?—”
“Stay away from me, Jeremy. I don’t want your apologies!” I shout. “I don’t want you anywhere near me!”
“I’m a patient man,” he insists.
“I, on the other hand, am not,” Max says, starting toward him again.
