Page 33 of Royal Player
I turn and rush out of the restaurant, but I still hear his ominous pronouncement. “Midnight, lovely.”
Chapter Eight
Polly
I nod at Vaughn, who’s waiting for me, his face impassive as usual.
“Just need a moment,” I manage, my voice not entirely steady. I take a few steps away from the restaurant entrance.
He doesn’t react. His only job is to remain vigilant for physical danger to me.
I try for a deep breath, but can’t manage it. My breath is coming much too fast. My fingernails dig into my palms. I need to calm down enough to think. I manage a deep breath and continue toward the atrium at a brisk pace. I halt suddenly as I spot Oscar heading toward me. “Hi!” I squeak.
Keep walking and do not stop until you reach the soothing view of the sea.It’s the only thing that could calm me at this point, short of a sedative.
Oscar stops in front of me, blocking my exit. He frowns. “What’s wrong?”
“I was just taking a walk, exploring the casino.”
His eyes narrow. “Now why don’t I believe you?”
I lift a palm. “I don’t know. I’m new here and there are a lot of rooms and hallways to explore.”
“Polly, we’re going to be business partners. I can’t work with you if you lie to me. What’s wrong?”
I swallow hard. Then I realize he said that in French, like he knows how to get to me. Unfortunately, it worked. I don’t want to jeopardize my standing with him or Adrian. “I’m sorry. I feel a little strange sharing, so I just said the first thing that came to mind.”
“Sharing what?”
I don’t want to lie, but I can’t bring myself to tell him the truth. He wouldn’t understand the desperate situation I’m in, and I need to keep this whole thing quiet. I give him part of it because I just need to get away fast before I lose it. “I just had dinner with Charles.” Adrenaline spikes through me, energy shooting down my legs. I need to escape. Anywhere but here.
His jaw clenches. “I was here to tell him to back off. You’re practically engaged…wait. You went to dinner with him? You’re marrying someone else as soon as you get back home.”
My throat tightens. I can’t marry Peter anymore, and my options suck. “I can have dinner with people.”
“Not him,” he snaps.
I skirt around him and head toward the exit of the casino. I’m near tears, and I can’t deal with him right now.
He catches up to me outside. “He’s a one-night-stand guy. Even at the party, he went upstairs for some action and had more after the party. He’s probably a sex addict, and you’re…well, you’re—”
I halt. “What?”
His lips curve up in a small smile that brings out the dimple hiding on his scruffy jaw. “You’re you.”
And it actually sounds like that’s a good thing. I swallow over the lump in my throat. “Yes, well, I’m me whether or not I had dinner with him. Please just let it drop. I don’t need another chaperone.”
I switch gears and head back to my hotel next door. I need some alone time to pull it together. He keeps pace with me.
I turn to him. “I didn’t sleep well last night, so I’m going to my room for a nap.”
“No, you’re not.”
“Yes, I am.”
“No. You’re high energy, and the last thing you’d do when out on a rare trip without your chaperone is to nap.”
I don’t know what to say to that. I’m a little floored that he knows me that well after only a few days in my company.
