My heart pauses. After our horrifying weekend, he hung out with this girl? I have no right to feel hurt, but I do.

Asshole!

He stares at her but again stays silent. Slade is not a passive man, but he’s clearly trying to keep this interaction under control. We’re all looking between them, nervous yet interested in what’s to come. Not me though. I want to tear her hair out and throw her tiny ass out the door.

She smiles, taking no offense at his get the fuck away demeanor.

“You’d better not leave without buying me a drink tonight.” She flips her hair to the side, as though everything is great. “See you later, boys. And you”—she points a sharp red nail at Slade—“find me when you’re done.” Her eyes flit up to mine, ice cold, before she walks away.

An awkward silence resides over the table.

“Can you fire her already?” Eve whines.

“Nope. She’s one of our best dealers.” Vincent shrugs, lifting his drink.

“Best dealer or best at other things?” The implication is clear as she all but growls, giving Slade a penetrating stare.

Slade lifts his hands up in mock surrender. “Don’t fuck where I work. Learned that lesson a long time ago. Doesn’t change the fact that some of these girls can’t take a hint.”

Am I one of those girls who can’t take a hint? Shame washes over me.

His pupils widen, as if he knows what I’m thinking, and he feels … bad? We’re engaged in this weird staring contest, and I need it to stop before I lose myself.

“I’m going to use the restroom,” I say out loud, defusing the moment.

Slade immediately slides out of the booth so that I can step out. Holding my black YSL purse tightly to my body, I make my way to the back of the bar.

Before I can enter the ladies’ room, I’m pulled over. It’s the blue-eyed bitch.

“You’re hooking up with Slade?” She giggles, placing a hand over her hip. “I can see how you’d be something exciting to him. Rich girl you obviously are.”

Her eyes scan my clothes, and I roll my eyes. Turns out, girls like these exist in every walk of life, from the rez to Rodeo Drive.

“I’m not hooking up with him. But, even if I were, it wouldn’t be any of your business.” I push past her, making my way into the restroom.

Unfortunately, she follows right behind me. “You can try all you want. But I know men like him. My brother was Special Forces, too. Delta.”

I hiss, “So?” I make a mental note to look up what Delta is when I get back to my room.

“Slade was special ops over in Afghanistan. That changes a man. And a girl like you, all prissy?” She stares at my tight jeans and soft blue T-shirt in disgust. “You could never understand him and what he went through. For years, he was prepping or engaging in war. He’s seen things your stuck-up little brain can’t even fathom. You should back up now before you find yourself under some rubble.”