“I guess you wouldn’t care then if I told you he got in one of the cars and left.” Rhys stated.
I turned at his tentative voice, “Couldn’t give a shit.” I smirked at him. “Rhys, please just drop it. I’m a big girl, I know what I’m doing.”
His lips pursed and his eyes narrowed, “No woman knows what they are doing where Gav is concerned. He knows how to work that charm of his.”
“Well, I do.” I curled my fingers around the lapel on his black tux jacket and pushed myself up, “I appreciate your concern though.” I whispered before I pressed my lips to his smooth-shaven cheek, he smelled amazing. Gav and Rhys were total opposites. Where Gav was rough and ready, Rhys was gentle, and he wasn’t ashamed to show it. I pulled back and gave him a smile. I liked Rhys, he was one of the good guys. If only good guys were what I wanted - he’d have been the perfect choice.
As our eyes met briefly, he nodded, finally backing down on the subject of Gavin bloody Wright. “Come on.” I wound my arm around his forearm and dragged him through the marquee. We stopped at a table to place down my glass while Rhys stood protectively by my side. His large frame eclipsed mine as we stood on the edge of the marquee’s dance floor while I sipped on my drink, it left a delicious burn on the back of my throat, and I was sure that after another few of these, I’d be buzzed enough not to care about where Gav went, hoped anyway.
Roman had Paisley in a tight embrace as his arms wrapped around her from behind, I smiled at them, they were so cute. It was a complete turnaround from the day she came to work for us. I was shocked when I first found out they went to school together. Roman and Gav were the ‘it’ guys apparently, but they treated her like shit, complete bastards to her. Paisley said even back then, wherever Roman was, the crowd followed, That I could see. Roman held a room whenever he walked into it and Gav, he had the smirk of a true bad boy. I guessed habits die hard.
As Roman lifted his head from her neck, he saw us. He kissed the top of her head and released her after saying something in her ear then quickly scanned the room. I knew who he was looking for, so I turned my back on him and faced Rhys instead. Being Roman's PA, I got all his moods. All twenty of them.
“Hey guys. You having a good time?” I half-turned with a smile as Roman sidled up to us. I looked past him to see Paisley heading for us too, a million-dollar smile on her face as she rocked up behind him. As Paisley linked my arm, I gave her a smile and rested my head on her shoulder; since she was taller than me, it was easy to do. From the day she walked into that lobby for that meeting, I knew we’d be good friends. I’d felt it, deep down in my soul. I think I needed that. I’d never had a friend like her. I’d had lots of friends at school but notthat certain someone I could tell everything to. I guess I was a bit like Roman and Gav in that respect, I was always with the popular kids. It’s probably why Gav and I were the way we were. Everything was a battle.
“Well, I’m working, so…” Rhys’ sentence trailed off with a tight grin and a tilt of his head. Rhys was always working. It was nothing new.
“How about you, Nik?” His arm fell around my shoulders; I focused on the smirk that played on his lips. “I’m sure you’ve had a good time?” His eyebrows danced.
I frowned as I leant back from him, “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“What’ve you done with Gav, locked him away for seconds?” Roman laughed, lifting his chin cockily.Dickhead.He leaned in closer, “I saw you two sneaking away,” he winked, “come on, you can tell me.” he said quietly.
“Roman.” Paisley’s eyes were wide, her voice laced with shock. I heard Rhys excuse himself, there wasn’t so much as a slight grin on his face as I looked up at him. I watched his retreating back as he turned. After Rhys disappeared, I turned my eyes back on Roman. That stupid smile was doing my nut in, so I decided to play with him.
“Actually, I’ve got him bound and gagged in my room, I’ll throw him some food and drink every now and then, he’ll be fine.” I smirked, but it was way more than what I was feeling. I didn’t want to unleash my weird mood on Roman, not tonight at least, this was their day.
“Seriously though, where is he?” My eyes stared into his for a moment until his brows came together, and he knew I was hiding something. “Where is he, Nik?”
“I don’t know,” I sighed and chewed on my lip, “Well, not for sure anyway,” my shoulder lifted, “all I know is he got into a car and left. I think one of security drove him.”
His face changed as he and Paisley shared a look. I knew that look; they were thinking exactly the same as I was. It was either a club for easy women or a casino. I knew which one I’d opt for.
Roman pulled out his phone and typed a message, well I assumed that anyway. He swiped up his screen once he was done, then pocketed it again. “You know, Rome, you can’t always watch him. You have to let him be him.”
His brows lifted, but it didn’t change the look of thunder on his face. “Yeah, but it’s always me that has to pick up the pieces. I’m just trying to prevent another relapse. I’m trying to help him, Nik.”
“Yeah,” I agreed, nodding, “but one day you might not be able to put the pieces together again.” My mouth was tight as I looked at them both. Roman had a good reputation, the last thing he needed was Gavin to ruin things for him. I rubbed his arm, “All I’m saying is you can only help someone that wants to be helped.”
He sighed heavily, Paisley moved to rest against him and rested her head on his shoulder. He pulled her into his embrace, I was thankful because it enabled me to make a quick getaway.
First stop was at the bar. With the last mouthful of Jack Daniels swallowed, I got myself another, deciding to push Gav from my thoughts. On the way back, I grabbed Paisley’s arm and we danced until she was fit to drop.
CHAPTER FIVE
Gavin
The journey to the casino was quiet. “Cheers, mate.” I pushed open the door as I thanked Walsh. Casinos never looked like much from the front, but it left a hell of a hole in your pocket if you didn’t know when to stop.
The window rolled down from the front as I got out, “Do you need me to stay?”
My palms were already clammy. I swallowed past the nervous lump in my throat, brushed my palms on my thighs and blew out a harsh breath. “No, you go. You’re already going to have to answer a thousand and one questions.”
He lifted his chin, “Okay, what do you want me to say.”
“Anything you want, mate. I’m not asking you to lie for me.” I rested one hand on the roof and leaned down to look through the open window, “I’m not dragging you into my shit. But thanks for the lift.” I pushed off the car and stepped back, I’d deal with the fallout tomorrow. What’s past was past; there was no changing it, I knew that better than anyone.
As I walked through the doors, the familiar sounds of the casino were like seeing an old friend again. A bad influential friend, but hey. While I ignored the people around me, I headed for the bar, ordering myself a JD with Coke. The barman placed my drink down on the top of the bar; I took it between my fingers and turned around, my back pressed to the bar. My fist clenched and unclenched as I rested my elbow behind me. I rubbed one finger against the other as they itched. My toe tapped frantically as I tried to resist the urge to go over to the tables. My heart raced, my breath came out in small puffs of air, but it was only getting faster as I watched. I knocked back the JD in my hand and licked my lips. As I swung back to the bar, I called out to the barman to get me a Scotch this time. He passed the amber liquid over the bar then went back to doing whatever it was he was doing.
