I lurch sideways and grab the nearest solid thing to steady myself, which turns out to be a roulette table. The wheel is spinning. The little white ball is bouncing loudly around the track.
And then I’m sick.
Everywhere.
A spray of vomit splatters across the felt, the wheel, the chips, the metal rim.
The croupier freezes.
The two women playing stare at me in horror as the ball lands with a wet little click on a number now partially hidden beneath chunks of salmon.
For one awful second, the whole room seems to go silent.
Not actually silent, but muffled. Like I’m underwater.
Then my knees buckle.
I’m vaguely aware of someone gasping. Of Holly saying, “Oh my god.” Of the croupier still standing there in stunned disbelief.
Then strong arms wrap around my waist and lift me clean off my feet.
I squeeze my eyes shut. I don’t need to look to know it’s Ray. I know from the woody scent of his aftershave. From the sheer force of him.
A door swings open. Then shuts. My feet hit the tiled floor of the women’s bathroom. That’s when I open my eyes.
Ray stands in front of me, his expression completely unreadable. No anger. No disgust. Nothing. Which somehow feels even worse.
“I am so sorry,” I whisper.
His jaw tightens. “Freshen up,” he says in a clipped tone.
Then he turns and walks out, leaving me alone with the taste of vomit in my mouth and the very real possibility that I may never recover from this humiliation for as long as I live.
CHAPTER SEVEN
RAY
I pace outside the bathroom, too pissed-off to stand still.
Every time I stop moving, I see that prick leaning over her in the booth again, his hands braced around her, his mouth heading for hers while she tried to shrink away.
Vinn joins me a minute later, a whiskey in hand and amusement written all over his face.
“Interesting,” he murmurs.
I shoot him a look. “Is it?”
His mouth twitches. “She’s certainly got your attention.”
“Don’t you have a wife and newborn at home?” I remind him. “Shouldn’t you be there?”
He chuckles. “Deflection. Always a bad sign.”
I say nothing.
Vinn leans against the wall beside me, unbothered by my mood. “There’s no point fighting it, Ray. It’s too late.”
My jaw tightens. “She works for me.”