Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 88580 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88580 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
“That’s not the most flattering thing in the world, you know.”
“I mean it,” she presses. “You’re falling for this guy already. And you know what? Good for freaking you. It’s about time. You’ve been using that stupid leg of yours as an excuse for a while and honestly, I was getting pretty sick of it.”
I gape at her. “Hey! It’s not an excuse!”
“Oh, sure.” She rolls her eyes. “Woe is me. I limp. I’m so ugly.”
“You’re crossing a line.”
“And you’re drop-dead gorgeous but you’re so obsessed with your injury that you can’t see it. I’m happy someone’s finally breaking through that wall.”
I rub my knee, glaring at Roxie. She’s saying something sort of nice, but also sort of really mean, and I am not at all sure how to react.
She’s right that my injury’s kept me from dating. Heck, I was a virgin up until last night because of it. But I haven’t been using it as a wall or a shield—I’m not actively trying to avoid intimacy.
The injury has made my life fifty times harder.
Although maybe, if I’m honest with myself, I could look back at certain moments—dates I’ve gone on, men I’ve met, stuff like that—and maybe, if I squint a whole lot and I get drunk enough that I can admit my faults, maybe I can see how Roxie could possibly… be right.
How I’ve pushed the world away.
All because of what happened to me that night.
“Adler’s not breaking through anything,” I say at last. “It’s still just a business deal.”
“Sure, hon, keep on telling yourself that. Whatever you do, I’m here to say that it’s fine if you like the guy. It’s totally fine if you like being with him.”
“I’m not sure it is.”
“And there’s the problem.” She nudges me. “Anyway, I should go back to work. I’m pretty sure I can get away with anything so long as you’re around, but I shouldn’t push it.”
“That other dealer girl in the high roller’s room practically wanted to barf when I started talking to her.”
“Perks of being the owner’s wife.”
I groan. “Life’s so unfair.”
“Says the rich girl getting free drinks. That’s an eight-dollar club soda, you do realize that, right?”
“Go back to work, asshole.”
“Later.” Roxie strides away and I watch her go.
Is it really okay if I like Adler?
I’ve been asking myself that question for the past few nights.
Not in those words, but in a million other ways.
Wondering if I should kiss him. If I should feel excited when he comes into a room. If I should want his hands on my body.
If I should need to sleep in his bed.
But Roxie’s always been good at getting straight to the point.
Is it okay if I’m into my husband?
“You’re scaring the bartenders, you know.”
I jump a little, surprised from my thoughts. Will’s standing nearby, giving me a knowing smirk.
“Sorry, what?”
“The bartenders.” He nods at the girl that served me. “Anytime you’re around, people get all jumpy.”
“Yeah, what’s with that? I married Adler but it’s not like I changed.”
“Comes with the territory.” He leans against the bar next to me. “You really should stay in the high-rollers’ room, by the way.”
“Is that what you came over to say?”
He shrugs. “Adler told me to keep an eye on you.” He points up at the ceiling. “I’ve been keeping more than one.”
I finish up my drink. “Glad to know you’ve been spying on me.”
“I’m spying on every single inch of this place.”
“That doesn’t help.” I move to stand up, but Will holds up a hand.
“Just a second. Another thing. Your visit with your brother.”
“Did Adler send you to talk to me about it?”
“No. He didn’t.”
“Then what do you want?”
“I want to know what he said.” His face is serious. His eyes hard. I have to remember that Will runs this place—that the Sunrise is everything to him.
And a guy like Shane could be a serious problem.
“Nothing you need to know.”
“Let me decide that.”
I open my mouth to tell him off, but pause.
Will could be a solid ally, and I could use more of those. Right now, I’m isolated with only Adler on my side—and just barely.
But maybe I could score some points with his top lieutenant.
“How about I tell you everything my brother said, and you promise to do me a favor.”
“I’m not really in the mood to make a deal.”
“Come on. We can work together on this.”
His jaw tics, clearly not happy. “What do you want?”
“I want you to find Shane. That’s all. Find my brother and make sure he’s safe.”
Will doesn’t speak for a few seconds. “That will take time and manpower.”
“I’m the boss’s wife, remember?”
A small smile cracks the tension. “I guess that’s true.”
“Come on. Say you’ll do it and I’ll tell you everything he said.”
“All right, Mrs. Costa. You have a deal.”
I grin at him, delighted. “Great. Never call me that again. Let’s shake on it.” I thrust a hand out.