if he hadn’t gotten distracted and made out with me for fifteen minutes before he left, he’d have probably remembered to take it.
What should I do?
Right now, he’d be sitting down to eat, running up a bill with no means to pay. That had happened to Billy once, and steam came out of his ears when he realised. I’d paid the price for it later. Nick wouldn’t use his fists, I knew that, but he’d be mortified in Levante, and with such a distinguished audience too. Hang on! Levante. I knew where he was. I could drive there with the wallet, hand it over, and be gone before his dining companions even noticed. Perfect.
I tugged on yesterday’s clothes and armed the security system. The Ferrari was waiting in the garage, beautiful as always, and five minutes later, I was on my way with the wallet tucked securely in my pocket. How long would it take to get to the restaurant? Twenty minutes? Thirty?
It took twenty-five, with another ten minutes of circling to find a parking space halfway along the block. Oh, please tell me I’d made it in time?
The lights of Levante spilled onto the sidewalk, reds and golds and blues from the ornate lanterns that decked the window. Pretty. Two months ago, I’d never have hoped to set foot inside, but now? Maybe Nick would take me to dinner there one day if we had something to celebrate? I quickly shook my head to clear away the thought. Lara, you’re getting way ahead of yourself, girl. You have a job to do here. Gentle sitar music drifted from the doorway as I peered through the glass, trying to spot Nick’s handsome face.
And I did.
Except he wasn’t at a work dinner with Russian businessmen. He was sitting at a table for two with Emmy. Her hand was firmly clasped in his as they gazed at each other, an empty bowl with two spoons in between them. I recognised that look in his eyes. Why? Because I’d seen it last night. I couldn’t read lips, but when he spoke, I was fairly sure he wasn’t giving her tips on the latest mergers and acquisitions.
My heart shattered all over again. Why did he have to lie to me? Although technically he hadn’t lied, had he? He’d never said it was over between Emmy and him. After what Bradley told me, and then Nick’s actions, I’d just assumed. And I didn’t know what was worse—that the man I’d fallen for had cheated or that I’d accidentally turned myself into the other woman.
What would Emmy do if she found out? She’d have every right to be furious. I deserved nothing less.
Tears leaked onto the sidewalk along with my wounded soul as I ran to the car. My life was just one freaking disaster after another, and I’d had enough. I slammed the door of the Ferrari as I slid into the driver’s seat. Who cared if it broke? Not me. Not anymore. I wiped my eyes as I fired up the sexy red beast, trying to clear my blurry vision. I didn’t even know where I was going. Not back to Adler House, that was for sure. Never again.
Anger flooded through me as I did a U-turn and headed for my apartment. I didn’t have much choice but to sleep there tonight, and I didn’t even care if my stalker was waiting. Life couldn’t get much worse, could it? And the way I felt about men at that moment, I’d kick him where it hurt if he dared to come near me. In fact, I almost hoped he did.
That way I’d get closure. The end of my old life before I moved on with the new, somewhere far away from dangerous men, dreamy houses, and beautiful girls. Tomorrow, I’d leave for good.
CHAPTER 43
“NICK, FOR FUCK’S sake, at least try to look like you’re in love with me,” Emmy hissed.
“It’d be easier if you weren’t so damned annoying,” Nick murmured back. “Why did you just kick me, anyway?”
“Because you weren’t concentrating. You need to listen to what arsehole number two is saying. You’re closer than I am, and I can’t quite hear. Shit, he’s looking this way again. Gaze into my eyes, will you? Just imagine I’m Lara. That should do it.”
Nick clasped Emmy’s hand over the table and squeezed, harder than was necessary, then covered up a grunt as she kicked him again. Bitch.
“Will you stop doing that? Your shoes are really pointy.”
“Well, play