Chapter 3
Raul returned to his seat like nothing had happened.
I glanced down. A key card.
While Simon was busy talking to someone else, I made an excuse. "Excuse me, Mr. Hayes, I spilled some wine on my dress. I'll go clean up."
He waved me off without a second thought.
I headed toward the bathroom, trying to figure out how to handle Raul.
But when I turned the corner, I ran straight into someone.
"Sorry—" I blurted out.
I started to apologize, then looked up and felt my heart stop.
Ethan Cooper. One of my college boyfriends. The innocent rich kid I'd taken for money.
Small world, running into him here.
Ethan was staring at me like he wanted to kill me. "Nina."
He gritted his teeth. "Enjoy spending the money you took from me?"
My brain froze for a second, then I grabbed my forehead and gave him a blank look.
"I'm sorry, do I know you?" I asked.
I took a step back like I was dizzy. "I think you've got the wrong person."
Ethan let out a cold laugh. He wasn't buying it.
"Keep pretending," he sneered.
He backed me against the wall and caged me in with his arms.
"You took my money and disappeared. You think I forgot about that? Playing dumb now, Nina? You must think I'm an idiot," he growled.
I was cursing my luck. Why did all these ghosts have to come back to haunt me?
Just as Ethan grabbed my wrist, a group of bodyguards in black appeared.
Raul walked up with his hands in his pockets, looking cool as ever.
Show-off, I thought.
He didn't even glance at Ethan. Just walked over, put an arm around my shoulders, and pulled me against his chest.
He raised an eyebrow at Ethan. "Mr. Cooper. It's not a good look, bothering my date."
Ethan's face went pale.
He looked at Raul, then at me cowering against him.
Raul's position in the business world was way above what Ethan's family could handle.
Ethan might hate me, but he wasn't about to risk his family's business over it.
Ethan took a breath and forced himself to calm down. "Sorry, Mr. Kingston. My mistake."
He let go of my wrist, but his eyes stayed fixed on me. "Just thought I saw someone I used to know."
"Someone you know?" Raul's voice turned cold. "Looked more like someone you wanted to hurt."
Ethan's face went dark, and he could only grit his teeth and turn away.
Before he left, he shot me a look that promised future trouble.
A chill ran down my spine.
The second Ethan was gone, Raul's easygoing attitude vanished.
He grabbed my wrist and dragged me into a lounge nearby, locking the door behind him.
He leaned against the door, his eyes burning with anger.
"Collecting men everywhere?" he said coldly, his voice low and mocking.
He lit a cigarette and sat down, his face hidden in the smoke.
"Guess I didn't give you enough. Still hungry for more?" he asked.
I tensed. So he'd heard everything.
I went to my default move. Dropping to my knees, I climbed into his lap, wrapped my arms around his neck, and pressed my lips to his throat.
"Sir," I murmured. "That was a long time ago. You're the only one who matters now."
Raul put out his cigarette and grabbed my chin, tilting my face up to meet his.
"A long time ago? Nina, how many more of these 'long time ago' guys are out there?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous.
I blinked and stayed quiet.
Raul stared at me for a long moment, then lowered his head and bit my lip hard.
I winced but didn't pull away.
When I was almost out of breath, he finally let go.
I opened my mouth to say something reassuring, but my phone started buzzing in my clutch.
Raul frowned, glancing at my bag.
I pulled it out reluctantly. The screen showed a message from Simon.
[Jessica is on her way to the hotel. Get out now!]