Page 15 of My Hired Valentine

With my heart shattered, I grab my purse and step out of the car, my heels clicking on the pavement as I make my way inside. The maître d’ barely glances at me before gesturing toward the bar.

Harris is there, leaning casually against the counter with a scotch in his hand. When he sees me, his eyes light up with approval as he takes in the dress. He stands and holds out his hand, his smile as oily as ever.

“Violet. You look… unbelievable,” he purrs.

I take his hand, forcing myself not to recoil at the clammy feel of his skin. “Hello, Mr. Harris.”

“Call me Wayne,” he says, his grin widening. “Our table will be ready in a few minutes. Join me for a drink?”

“I don’t believe I have a choice,” I reply, sliding onto a stool beside him. I set my purse on the counter, keeping my back straight and my voice steady. “But before we go any further, I’d like to clarify a few things.”

“Certainly,” he says smoothly, his stool scraping closer to mine. His hand settles on my knee, and I have to fight the urge to shove it off.

“I have dinner with you tonight, wearing the outfit you sent to my house, and then you will not sue Dex for bruising your ribs. Correct?”

“That is correct,” he says, his hand sliding up my thigh. “And dessert.”

My breath hitches as his fingers creep higher. “One night. Dinner. And dessert. I will not sue Dex.”

“Cross my heart,” he says with a wink. “I’m having another scotch. How about you?”

“That’s fine,” I say, my voice tight. Harris turns to the bartender to order, and I glance toward the door, plotting my escape.

My stomach does a freefall.

Dex is standing in the doorway, his dark eyes locked on mine. His expression is unreadable, but the tension in his jaw and the storm in his stare tell me everything I need to know. He’s furious—boiling mad. And he’s walking straight toward us.

My heart pounds as I meet his gaze, torn between relief and dread. Harris doesn’t notice him yet; he’s too busy chatting with the bartender.

Dex reaches us; his presence is towering and magnetic. He doesn’t say a word, but the look he gives Harris could turn steelto ash. My breath catches as I realize I’m not sure what’s going to happen next.

CHAPTER 16

Dex

“What are you doing here?” Violet asks, her voice tight as she looks at me wide-eyed.

“I should be asking you the same thing,” I growl, my voice low and dangerous. I’m trying to keep my anger in check, but it’s hanging by a thread. “But I’m not going to ask because I already know the answer. You’re here because ofhim.” I jerk my chin toward Harris, who’s lounging on his barstool with a smug look on his face.

“You don’t belong here, Faletti,” Harris says, swirling his glass of scotch like he owns the entire damn room. “Be a smart man and go.”

I don’t even spare him a glance. My eyes are locked on Violet—beautiful, heartbroken Violet, sitting there in the dress I know she didn’t pick. Her shoulders are tense, her expression torn, but I see it. The truth is written all over her face.

She doesn’t want to be here, and she doesn’t want to be wearing that for him.

Thank God Tiffany called me.

“Put this on,” I take off my jacket and hand it to her.

“Dex…” she whispers.

“Put it on, Violet,” I say softly. Then I snap my jaw back down, turning my glare at Harris. “Iama smart man, Harris. Which is why I’m going.”

“Good.” He smirks, lifting his glass in mock celebration. “We have a special night planned. Give the good doctor his coat back, Violet.”

“Your plans have been canceled. Violet’s going with me.”

“Dex…” Violet’s voice is shaky as she looks at me, pleading with her eyes. “You don’t understand.”

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