Page 14 of The Deceived

“Do you think anyone else noticed?” I ask as I make my way toward the bar. Tori fills up a glass before she slides it over in front of me.

What a mess.I could have just ruined everything that I’ve been working towards my entire life.

She pours herself another and downs it, shaking her head as the soothing liquid goes down. “I think I controlled the situation, Rex but what in the world were you thinking to let that happen out there? If anyone noticed, it could ruin us.”

I throw back the drink, guzzling the contents down.Fuck. I messed up.I put everything that I’ve worked for, that my team has worked for, on the line but I still can’t turn off the thoughts of Winter. I need to get back to the Manor; back to Winter and I need to fuck her out of my system. I can’t let thoughts of her and my slight infatuation with her ruin my goddamned campaign.

“When can I go back to the Manor?”

Tori’s face scrunches up in confusion. “Is that what you were thinking of? Sir, I have to say that this is inappropriate,”

I cut her off. “Don’t give me thatSirshit, Tori. We’ve known each other too long for that.” We know almost everything about one another and if I were interested in Tori in any sort of sexual way; she’d be my perfect match. But I do not and will not ever harbor those feelings for her. She’s like a kid sister. We’ve been friends since our freshman year of high school.

“When can I get back to the manor?” I grab the bottle and pour myself another, my desire to see Winter, is approaching a need at this point.

Tori sighs, catching my attention as she pushes a strand of hair that has fallen from her perfect bun behind her ear. “We have a couple of weeks left on the trail before we return home. Do you want me to schedule anything for you before then?”

I chuckle, “You think I need a prostitute, Tor?”

Fuck, maybe I do. My old ways are starting to resurface and it’s been a long time since I’ve indulged them.

“Clearly, you need to blow off some steam, Rex.”

I laugh at her comment but she’s not wrong. The sooner I get thisneedfor Winter out of my system, the better for my cock and my career.

CHAPTER7

WINTER

Iglide on my favorite shade of red lipstick, pursing my lips at my reflection in the mirror of my vanity.

The shade is very similar to my Momma’s. Red was her favorite. Though her reasons for wearing it were far more glamorous and less, shall we say, sluttier than mine?

I’ve come to learn that men tend to love a red lip or at least the fantasy of smearing said color in certain ways. I like to wear it while I work although the look is quickly growing on me.

Speaking of work, I work on the casino floor tonight and I have to admit, it’s one of my favorite jobs here. It’s almost like going out to a fancy nightclub, or what I would guess a fancy nightclub would be like, since I’m not old enough to get into one around here and never have been.

I have about half an hour before I’m required to be on the floor, so I have a bit of time to get dressed. I look at myself, turning my face from right to left and I barely recognize the woman I’ve become. I clip a jewel-encrusted barrette into one side of my hair, sweeping my pale locks away from my face, then dragging the other side down over my shoulder.

I barely recognize this version of me.

I’m no longer that sweet, naive girl. Sometimes I miss her though. Her innocent view of the world anyway. I have Rex to thank for ruining her life and her bright future.

I wonder where I would be now, had that man never darkened my family’s doorstep?

A knock sounds at my door drawing me from my darkening thoughts. I push my chair away from the vanity and stride toward the door. My breath catches in my throat when my eyes land on the person who stands on the other side.

“Winter?” His deep voice wraps around every syllable of my name. He’s just as imposing as he was the first time that I met him, but he is one of the most handsome men I’ve ever seen.

“Yes?” I hate the waver in my voice, that little tinge of fear that makes my words quiver as I reply to Ace.

“I’m Ace.” He smiles and I’m so momentarily mesmerized by his looks that I don’t realize he holds out a pink box tied with a large black velvet bow.

“What’s this?” I’m not sure what to make of it as I take the proffered box from his hand.

“Normally we don’t allow patrons to send our staff gifts, but this one was a little special so I decided to make an exception.”

“Thank you. I appreciate that.”

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