Page 31 of In Love and Revenge

Charlie screws his face up in pain as he’s hauled backwards. He fights to turn so he can get a look at who’s got him dangling like a worm on a hook.

‘That’s no way to talk to a lady.’

His face reddens as Rafael drops him like a sack of shit and he falls into the table, setting the cutlery and plates clanging.

‘I suggest you apologise and then get the hell out of here. She was about to dump your arse, anyway.’

‘What?’ Charlie gapes at Rafael, who’s calmly adjusting his shirt cuffs and smoothing them down.

‘She’s clearly too good for you. Even an idiot can see that.’

Rafael’s blistering gaze roams over me, and my mouth goes dry as his attention lowers briefly to my rock-hard nipples, then back to my face.

‘I bet you don’t even know what to do with her.’ He smirks. ‘Tell me, Beauty ...’ He tips his head towards Charlie, his gaze fixed on me. ‘He ever made you come without you having to fake it?’

‘Um . . .’ I falter.

‘Who the fuck are you?’ Charlie rages.

‘A man who never has to wonder,’ he replies with ease. ‘Now, apologise.’

Charlie’s eyes slide to mine as the server approaches and places the bill down hesitantly, before retreating. Even he knows we aren’t staying for dessert.

Charlie picks the black folder up, and I can’t help it, my shoulders soften in relief. Then he tosses it on to my plate, splashing my dress with the remainder of my lobster.

‘I’m sorry I ever fell for your lies. Have a nice life, Rory.’

I spin in my seat and watch him storm out.

That went ...Holy shit, that went terribly. I wanted things to end, but this isn’t quite what I had in mind.

I turn back to grab a napkin, but Rafael’s already holding one out to me.

‘Send me the dry-cleaning bill.’

‘Excuse me?’

His eyes drop to my dress as I wipe at it in vain. It’s no use; the cream in the sauce has left ugly oily patches on it that might not come out.

‘I said, I’ll pay for the dress.’

‘It’s fine,’ I mutter, abandoning my clean-up efforts and opening up the bill instead.

The numbers burn into my eyes and my palms prick with sweat. I don’t have enough to cover it. I’m going to have to offer to wait tables, or clean up in the kitchen, or—

‘How much?’ Rafael asks.

‘I—’

‘How much, Aurora?’ He sighs, sounding bored.

I force a swallow. ‘Two hundred and forty.’

‘Hm.’ He grunts at the figure like it amuses him somehow. ‘I’ll take care of it.’

‘No, I—’

‘Wait here. I’ll let Seraphina know I’m giving you a lift home.’