Page 36 of Outplayed

Enough was enough.

All eyes flashed to me when my knife, pointy side down, ended up in the table. “I’d like to leave,” I said low.

Travis’s jaw clenched. I didn’t give a fuck if he was upset with me by my actions. I didn’t give a fuck at all at that moment. I wanted out of there.

Travis nodded. He finally took his hand away from under Lenore’s. I caught his eyes widen a fraction, as if he was surprised by her hand on his.

Fucking bullshit.

How could he not know? I knew where my hands were, near ripping my handbag to shreds. I stood, as did Travis. His hand landed on my lower back, and I shifted away.

“Violet, I’d like you to meet—”

“I don’t want to meet them,” I snapped.

Liza huffed. “Rude.”

“Ladies, if you’ll excuse us, have an enjoyable night.” He laid some money on the table, while the idiots giggled. I stormed off. He would follow, and I would wait for him and the car out the front. Then I would plan how to get back to Ballarat that night.

I wouldn’t stay in a house with this man.

I couldn’t be around him much longer.

“Violet,” Travis called after me as I exited the restaurant. I heard him open the door, speak with the valet, and then I felt his heat at my back.

“It’s not what—”

“Don’t. Jesus, just don’t.”

“We’ll talk at the house then?”

I nodded. That nod was a lie. We drove to the house in silence. Actually, it hadn’t been a house at all, but an apartment. A very flashy apartment where there was a valet, a doorman, security, and once on the top floor, a large apartment. I noticed my overnight bag just inside the front door. I made a note to myself to grab it on the way out.

“I’ll just take a shower and then we can talk.”

I ground my teeth and nodded.

He walked off down a long hall. As soon as the door closed behind him, I took his keys off the table near the front door, grabbed my bag, and made my way back downstairs.

“Miss Marcus,” the doorman called. Travis had introduced me when we’d arrived. Donald was a man in his sixties. He had a friendly smile and eyes that felt like they could read your thoughts.

“Is everything all right?” he asked, approaching me.

“Fine,” I bit out. “Can someone bring Travis’s car around?”

His eyebrows shot up. “But you just arrived, and usually Mr Stewart calls down for his car before he leaves.”

Closing my eyes, I gripped the bag in front of me tighter. Opening my eyes, I held out the keys, my gaze to the floor. “Please, Donald.” My fucking voice quivered.

My emotions were getting the better of me and soon I would be a blubbering mess, but I refused for it to happen there. They could wait until I was safely at home.

“Yes, Miss Marcus,” Donald said softly, taking the keys from me. “You know, if you need a moment, I have a room out back that you could use.”

Shaking my head, I said, “Thank you. But I need to get home.”

His hand landed on my shoulder. “Of course.” He quickly went outside to speak with the valet.

I was grateful I didn’t have to wait too long. Donald returned. He ushered me outside and into the car. “Please drive safely.”

“I will.” I nodded, offering him a sad, watery smile.

“Take care, Miss Marcus.”

“Violet,” I called.

He smiled. “Violet.”

Somehow, and I didn’t know how exactly, I made it home and into my house before I fell to my bed and broke.

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