Josh.Even now, just thinking his name twists something deep inside me.A year on, and it still hurts.
I don’t want to revisit that memory, not here with him. I take a breath and force a smile. “Why isn’t Anika’s ex allowed in the apartment?” I ask.
His eyes narrow immediately. “You’re deflecting.”
“I’m asking.”
He studies me for a second, then takes a slow drink. “He’s not good for her.”
“But he’s Sebastian’s dad.”
“That doesn’t make him a good man.” His eyes narrow further, full of suspicion. “Has she said something to you?” he asks, irritation creeping into his tone.
I shake my head. “No.”
Before he can respond, Vinn appears, leaning in to murmur something in Ray’s ear.
Ray nods once, then looks back at me. “Stay with Sofia,” he says, already standing. “I’ll be back.”
Sofia slides into the booth across from me, smoothing her dress as she settles. A man in a leather jacket lingers nearby, watching us without being obvious about it.
The second Ray disappears, I lean closer.
“Who’s he?” I ask quietly.
She glances over her shoulder and gives the man a small wave. He nods back, a lazy grin spreading across his face.
“That’s Lake,” she says. “He’s with a local MC, The Kings Reapers. He keeps an eye on me when Vinn’s busy.”
“Busy doing what?” I ask.
She smiles faintly. “You know . . . taking care of business.”
I nod like I understand, even though I absolutely do not.
She shifts, turning her full attention to me. “So, tell me about Anika. I’ve heard loads about her but never really had the chance to properly get to know her. Apparently, she was wild back in the day.”
I blink. “She was?”
“That’s what I’ve heard,” Sofia says with a grin. “Ran things just as well as the men, which isn’t easy in our world.”
I nod again, pretending I know what that means.
“And is it weird?” she adds suddenly.
“What?”
“Being around them when you like Ray so much.”
I choke slightly on my drink. “I don’t,” I say quickly. “Not like that.”
“Bullshit,” she laughs. “You look at each other like you want to tear each other’s clothes off.”
Heat floods my face. “He’s my boss,” I mumble. “And he can’t stand me.”
She leans back, amused. “I used to think that about Vinn.”
I glance in the direction the men left, then back to her. “I can’t imagine that. You look perfect together.”