Chapter 13
What the fuck is Vinny doing here? And who is this brunette who seems more comfortable cozied up to Moore than his fiancé ever does?
The server comes over. “Can I can start you with something to drink, sir?”
“Water,” I say quickly with barely a glance in her direction.
She doesn’t respond, but I think I catch an eye roll as she turns to walk away to get my drink. I’m sure she thinks I’m an asshole. She’s not exactly wrong, but I don’t have the capacity to worry about that now.
I lay my phone on the table after snapping a few pictures of Moore, Vinny, and the brunette together. I look down at the menu. My eyes scroll across the words, but my brain can’t process any of the information. My concentration is squarely on the three speaking in low voices at that table.
The server is back and sets my glass of water on the table. “Are you ready to order?” All pleasantries from her first greeting are gone.
I scan the entrees quickly to find something simple. “I’ll have a burger, with everything.”
I hand her the menu, only glancing momentarily. She huffs. I decide I should leave a hefty tip as an apology for my rudeness because I can’t risk missing anything said at that table. I’m close enough to hear when they occasionally speak at a normal volume, but they’re smart enough not to do so often. Sitting any closer in the otherwise empty restaurant would have drawn their attention.
My server clears her throat. “And your side?” Her irritation with me is clear.
When I look back at her, I realize her eyes have followed mine to the table where Moore, the mystery woman, and Vinny are seated. My heart rate picks up a bit, hoping she won’t point out they have an audience: Me.
When she turns, her eyes meet mine, and her irritation has changed to something else… Maybe understanding? She seems more relaxed.
“Fries,” I say, forcing a smile.
“Coming right up.” Her eyes cut to the table then back to me before she offers a smirk and walks away.
I keep my phone on the table and swipe the screen like I’m invested in the device, but I’m straining my ears to hear something of use from Moore’s table. While infidelity is a huge motivator for a breakup, power marriages like this one can withstand it.
Wealthy couples cheat all the time. They usually aren’t together for love. It’s all about power, and I get the feeling that might be the case here also with as desperate as Jade is to get rid of him.
Catching Moore in whatever shady shit he has going on is much bigger than a fling with a random woman. I think Jade would be happy to know, satisfied with it if it’s all I can find, but I also think she’ll be far more hopeful to find something bigger.
Besides, once he’s out of the picture, and this case is closed, I can possibly pursue Jade.
What? My eyes briefly widen as I stare at my phone, and I quickly school my expression.
She’s fucking gorgeous, with her long, sexy legs and tits that make my dick hard at the mere thought of them, but that doesn’t mean I want to pursue her. Maybe I could just fuck her a couple of times to get her out of my system.
I close my eyes, her image moving to the front of my mind.
My eyes snap open at the sound of something coming down hard on a table. My head snaps in that direction. Vinny is standing now, and there’s folded paper or envelope under his flattened hand on the tabletop. I don’t know what I missed, but judging by the piercing gaze he’s leveled on Moore and the mystery woman, it isn’t good.
I tilt my phone enough for the camera to capture the three of them in the frame, and I take several rapid photos.
Vinny’s voice is too low for me to make out his words, but his tone leaves no room to question his mood; he’s angry. He shoves his hand forward, pushing whatever is beneath it onto Moore’s lap. He doesn’t move a muscle as his jaw clenches, and his eyes stay on Vinny.
Without any further conversation, Vinny turns and strides away from the table toward the front door of the restaurant. The busty brunette nearly turns over the table as she leaps from her seat to go after him.
“Vin, wait!”
Moore looks absolutely deflated. His eyes stare at his lap. His elbows are on the table, and his hands are on either side of his face.
“Here you are.”
I jump as my server speaks. I was so focused on Moore that I didn’t hear her walk over. She smirks at my reaction.
“Thank you.” I offer a smile, but I’m embarrassed.
Some fucking private investigator I am. A waitress with a cheeseburger snuck up on me. Thankfully, she doesn’t linger before walking away to greet a party that just sat down.
I lean to peer out the window to see if Vinny and that woman are still outside. Movement from my right catches my attention, and I turn to see Moore standing from his seat. He puts cash down and makes his way to the front door.
I quickly reach into my pocket and fish my wallet out before tossing a hundred-dollar bill on the table. I didn’t touch my food, but I was a bit of a pain for the waitress either way. I get up from my seat and walk casually to the front door. Moore is already on edge, so I don’t want him to see me walk out behind him.
When I get to the door, I scan the parking lot for any signs of them. In the little time it took for me to pay and gather my things, Moore, Vinny, and the brunette are gone.
With a sigh, I push the door open and walk to my car. As soon I slide inside and the engine roars to life, I make the decision to go see Jade.