13
Paige
My Long Island Iced Tea is sweet and sharp at the same time. The place doesn’t water down their liquor.
I let my heels slide off my feet and tuck my legs up beneath me on the plush sofa, shifting to face Moreno.
He isn’t going to let the meeting between Ariella and me slide. His stupid bodyguard is a rat, as far as I’m concerned.
“No one’s said anything about Nova’s mother.” I’m trying to tread carefully over a delicate topic. I don’t want Moreno to know that I learned anything specific from my little chat with Ariella. “Where is she?” I ask. My voice is soft.
“I don’t see how that’s any of your concern.”
I reach for my drink, wanting to feel a slight buzz to help me unwind. Moreno is domineering, and I imagine he’s not just a grumpy boss to me.
Is he grumpy in bed too?
“I’m caring for Nova. It would help me relate to her and understand her situation better if I knew the whole story.”
He must admit that I’m not wrong. If his daughter used to talk, then wouldn’t he want her to speak again? What kind of parent wouldn’t want what’s best for their child?
If I push too hard, he’s bound to recoil or worse, fire my ass.
“Her mother isn’t in the picture.”
“No shit,” I mutter under my breath.
Moreno’s stare is dark and sends a chill down my spine.
“Excuse me?” he bellows.
My mouth feels like sandpaper, and I reach for my glass, desperate for another sip—something to quench my parched throat.
“My wife, Serene, was murdered, but I’m guessing you already knew that from your little friend.”
I down the rest of my drink and place the empty glass on the table. “I’m sorry.”
“Are you because I have the feeling you have twenty more questions to go along with that one?”
He isn’t wrong, but now I feel like a piece of shit asking him about his dead wife, what happened, and pretending that I wasn’t aware of the entire time. “I really am sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
I reach for his arm and rest my hand atop his suit coat. I feel naked in my blouse and skirt compared to all the layers Moreno wears.
His brow is knit tight, and his lips are pinched together. “I loved Serene. I still love her, but she’s not here anymore, and we make do with the hand we’re dealt.”
Moreno reaches for his drink and stands, taking it with him, leaving me in the dust as he stalks off toward the bar.
Shit.
I didn’t mean to offend him. I slip back on my heels and I grab my glass. I step out of the VIP booth and down toward the main floor where the bar is situated.
Moreno leans forward, his hands clasped together on the bar as he speaks with Ashlee. I can only imagine what they’re talking about. I want to run in the opposite direction.
Should I give him space?
Everything within me is screaming to go sit back down.
But my legs betray me as I step forward, one foot in front of the other.