I see red. My pulse beating heavy in my ears. The rest is a blur. And when I step back, Colin is choking on his own mistake, blood soaking into his shirt, his eyes glassy with panic. I watch him struggle for breath, then he too falls silent.
“Piece of shit,” I mutter.
Beside me, Dale zips the bag of cash and shakes his head.
“I know I say this every time, but you seriously need a better outlet for all this tension.”
I wipe my gloves on Colin’s shirt, pull my jacket back on, and fasten it high enough to hide the splatter.
“I need a drink.”
“I’ll get someone in to sort this out,” Dale says, already pulling out his phone.
I head for the door.
WYNTER
Despite my reservations, I’m having the best night.
What was meant to be a couple drinks and some harmless shopping has somehow turned into a full-blown night out, and Holly is such a laugh that I’ve almost forgotten she was basically assigned to babysit me.
Almost.
Because every so often, my brain drifts back to the earlier messages and brief conversation with Ray and a fresh wave of horror rolls through me.
What the fuck was I thinking?
A shiver runs down my spine. If he brings it up tomorrow, I might actually fling myself from the penthouse window.
“I think we should take this party back to the casino,” Holly says suddenly.
I blink at her over the rim of my glass. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“Because I work there. And because you work there. And because our boss is a terrifying control freak who already thinks I’m a disaster.”
Holly bursts out laughing.
“Also,” I add, “why would you want to party where you work?”
She gives me a wicked grin. “If I tell you a secret, can you keep your pretty mouth shut?” she asks, tapping the tip of my nose this time.
I narrow my eyes, already suspicious. “That depends entirely on the secret.”
She leans in. “I once had sex with Dale.”
I gasp so loudly, the woman at the next table glances over. “Holly!”
She starts giggling. “I know, I know. Completely against Ray’s rules, but in my defence, Dale is stupidly hot.”
I stare at her. “You slept with Dale?”
“Once,” she says, holding up one finger. “A one-night thing. Very fun. Very worth it.”
“Oh my god.”
“The best part?” She goes on, grinning wider. “I don’t think he recognised me.”