Page 23 of In Love and Revenge

She arches a condescending brow at me as if to say,What are you still doing here?

‘My . . . wages,’ I prompt.

She sighs theatrically like I’m a huge inconvenience, then waltzes into the dressing room.

I purposefully keep my eyes averted from Rafael, my cheeks burning with anger at the way she’s talking about me, like I’m nothing. But I need that money. I worked for it. I’m not leaving without it.

Tanya returns a few seconds later and holds out some folded notes.

I reach for them, but she yanks them away before I can take them, giving me a dirty look. ‘Uh-uh,’ she tuts. ‘Not so fast. I think it goes without saying that I expect your discretion. You’ll never work in this neighbourhood again otherwise.’

I swallow the burning insult that’s threatening to spill from my tongue. I give her a sweet smile instead, noting that she’s removed her wedding ring. Once the money is safely in my hand, I say, ‘Absolutely. You can count on me not to say anything to anyone about what you do when your husband’s away on business.’

Her mouth drops open, and she turns to Rafael, excuses spilling from her lips. I don’t wait to hear them. I stomp through the dressing area, swiping up my bag and shoes on the way. Then I pause for a moment before sweeping out my foot and messing up the perfect vacuum lines in the carpet.

Feeling marginally better, I run down the grand staircase. I pull my shoes on at the front door then yank it open.

‘Wait!’ a deep voice booms.

I glance back and Rafael is descending the stairs, his face taut and red like he’s in danger of popping a vein any second.

‘Seriously? You’re chasing after her?’ Tanya yells, appearing at the top of the stairs.

Rafael halts a few steps from the bottom. He doesn’t move closer, and I pause, wondering if he’s about to turn back and get what he came here for. He sure looks ready to fuck. Chest expanding with deep breaths. Fingers twitching by his sides like he needs to grab on to flesh and sink them into it. Eyes filled with a wild ...heat.

Ready to pound the woman waiting for him into the mattress. Husband or not.

‘Come back here!’ Tanya screeches.

‘Give me a minute,’ he hisses at her, his eyes locked on mine.

‘You want to chase my cleaning girl out of here, be my guest,’ she says with an air of smugness, like she knows he won’t do it.

The corners of his eyes pinch at her tone, and I snort.

‘You’re being summoned,’ I tell him, before I step out of the door and slam it behind me.

Racing down the darkened driveway, the gravel crunches beneath my feet. My heart’s pounding, the sound of it like a deep bass in my ears. I want to get as far away from here as possible and pray that Tanya doesn’t tell all of her rich friends about me. That could ruin everything.

The door slams again, and the sound of heavy footfall beats down behind me.

‘Aurora!’

I ignore him, speeding up.

‘Aurora!’ he bellows again.

I pass a fancy-looking Bugatti car in inky black – his, I presume. I fully expect him to get in it and race past me, and that be the end of it. But instead, he continues his pursuit, following me out on to the main tree-lined street.

He reaches for my elbow, grabbing it so I have to stop and face him.

‘What are you doing working for Tanya?’ he demands, like he has any right to know anything about me.

I scoff, shaking out of his grip. ‘Excuse me? I should be the one asking you what you’re doing shagging married women.’

‘I’m not,’ he grits, jaw clenching.

I stare back into his blazing bronze irises. He would be an insanely good-looking man if it weren’t for his personality. And then there’s that beautiful monster of a dick ...What a waste.