Dale drops the man’s severed hand into the waste bin like it’s nothing more than rubbish.
“Get rid of him before I return,” I say, straightening my cuffs. “And clean this place up.”
I take the private elevator up to the floor above. The top floor of the casino I own. The floor I live on.
My staff move quietly around me as I walk through, their heads down, busy with their tasks.
Anika is in her bedroom, watching television. Her eyes flick to me the second I step inside, and she smiles. “Hello, handsome.”
I lean down and kiss her cheek. “What was so important it couldn’t wait?”
“Someone called about the job. I thought you’d want to be here when they came over.”
I frown. “What kind of person is free to come over straight after calling?”
“A person who needs work,” she says dryly, rolling her eyes. “Don’t scare this one away, Ray. Catherine is retiring. We need someone.”
“I told you, I’ll hire the best of the best. You need a proper nurse, not some inexperienced wannabe.”
“We already have a stream of nurses for my medical needs,” she replies. “But nurses belong in hospitals, with people who are actually sick. I’m not sick. I just need someone to help me wash and keep me company . . . and I don’t want to waste a qualified nurse on that.”
I fall silent, guilt settling heavy in my chest. I should be here for that.
Catherine knocks softly on the door. “Ray, there’s a girl here about the position.”
I push to my feet, already planning to dismiss her before Anika gets a chance to meet her.
“That’s not fair,” Anika says immediately, reading me too easily. “Sit down and let Catherine bring her in.”
I groan under my breath but nod to Catherine. “Send her in.”
I move to the window, turning my back to the door, watching the city stretch out below me.
“Hi, you must be Wynter. Come in,” Anika says warmly.
Wynter.What kind of name is that?
I turn, and my breath catches. She’s petite. Brunette. Smiling brightly at Anika like she’s just walked into the safest place in the world. Her blue eyes sparkle, her cheeks flushed pink, and those damn dimples cut deep.
She’s too soft. Too fucking sweet.
I force my expression to harden, narrowing my eyes into a glare. She notices and her smile falters.
“This is Ray,” Anika says lightly. “Ignore the scowl. He won’t bite.”
God, what I wouldn’t give for just one.
Wynter steps forward and holds out her hand. I take it, firm and brief, already pulling away.
Then she turns to Anika and does the same, hand out, waiting.
Anika glances at me, a silent warning. “Actually,” she says gently, “I’m quadriplegic.”
Wynter freezes, her eyes wide with panic.
“That means she can’t shake your fucking hand,” I snap, unable to hold back.
Silence drops like a weight. Wynter’s face burns red, mortification flooding her features.Good.She should be embarrassed.
