“Riley, I think you should leave,” Ruby whispered, earning Riley’s attention.
“In due time, after I finish my story, Ruby,” he said with a sadistic smile before meeting Nina’s gaze again. “The woman needs to know what kind of company she’s keeping.”
“You assume I don’t,” Nina asked.
“Both of their families ruined the Wilcox name. They had my father blackballed from the industry because Manny and Mr. Fields spread their lies that we were in bed with the mob.”
“The sins of the parents are not the sins of their children. But you should really do something about the anger you carry. It can eat you alive if you don’t.”
His eye twitched. “What the hell do you know? You’re just the latest of a long line of women he’s ruined. Ask him how many clients he’s slept with.”
“I don’t need to,” Nina answered. “I don’t care about his past.”
“Who the hell are you?” he asked.
“None of your business,” Quinton said, rising from his seat.
“Nina Bennett,” she answered and lifted her chin.
“She didn’t even bat an eye.” Riley chuckled and turned his attention to Nina. “What street corner did you find this one on, Harlon?”
Harlon had taken a step to round the table when Nina touched his arm. “I’ve got this. Let me show you how a southern woman gets things done.”
Harlon dropped his gaze to hers. “This isn’t your fight, Nina.”
“You two have a seat. I’ll see him out.” Quinton shoved the chair farther away and rounded the table, grabbing Riley’s arm. The people at the tables around them stopped talking.
Management was watching, and the clients that Harlon had been trying to land had quit their conversation. Harlon didn’t even care. Harlon clenched and unclenched his fist.
“Riley, isn’t it?” Nina said, stepping around the table to where Quinton had a grip on Riley. She threaded her arm around Riley’s elbow and led him from the table.
She was going to kill Riley with kindness. Maybe she wasn’t his future wife.
“I’m not ready to leave,” Riley started to protest.
“If you know what’s good for you, then yes you are,” she said still in earshot. She gestured around the room as she led him to the door. They spoke just outside the entrance, but Harlon refused to tear his gaze away or retake his seat.
Did she know him?
“They look awful chummy,” Quinton observed.
“Harlon, your future is talking to your past. Do you really think that’s a good idea?” Milton asked.
Ruby was turned in her seat watching Nina and Riley talk outside.
Nina held her arms folded across her chest and had her head tilted as if listening intently. It was Riley who was shifting from one foot to another, pointing an accusatory finger in their direction.
Nina glanced their way. A frown marred her face before she turned back to Riley. Riley handed her something that looked like a business card.
“That’s enough,” Harlon said, stepping around the table and heading for the door. Nina saw him coming and stepped back inside the entryway, blocking his path.
He watched over Nina’s head as Riley walked away.
“What the hell was that about?” Harlon asked through gritted teeth.
“No one knows you better than an arch-nemesis. I thought maybe he could help,” Nina said.
“You’re joking, right?” Harlon growled. “Everything he said about Manny and Mr. Fields running him off is true, except for when he called them liars.”
