CHAPTER EIGHT
WYNTER
I feel awkward and it shows as Ray takes me by the elbow and guides me into the restaurant. Everything about this place screams money. Soft lighting, polished glass, low murmured conversations. It’s the kind of place where people don’t spill drinks . . . or vomit over furniture.
The guy from last night, Vinn, stands the moment he sees us.
Beside him sits a beautiful dark-haired woman, poised and elegant, like she belongs on the cover of Vogue. They look effortless together. Perfect.
The woman rises too, smoothing her dress.
Ray greets her first, leaning in to kiss each cheek, murmuring something in her ear that makes her roll her eyes with a smile.
Then she turns to me. “I’m Sofia,” she says softly.
“Apologies, how rude of me,” Ray cuts in. “This is Wynter.”
Sofia steps closer, taking my hand gently before leaning in and kissing each cheek.
“Hi, Wynter. Lovely to meet you.”
I blink, caught off guard by how natural she makes it feel. “You too.”
Vinn grins at me next. “I won’t mention last night, I promise,” he says, winking.
My face burns. He kisses my cheeks too like it’s the most normal thing in the world. It’s not something I’m used to.
“Last night?” Sofia asks as we all sit.
“I promised Ray I’d be on my best behaviour,” Vinn replies smoothly, flashing Ray a knowing look.
Ray ignores him.
“How’s Mario?” he asks instead, turning to me briefly. “Their son.”
“He’s perfect,” Vinn says. “Loud, dramatic, takes after his mother.”
Sofia nudges him, laughing, and the way they look at each other makes something twist in my chest. It’s appears so easy between them.
Like they exist in their own little world.
And I realise, I want that. Not the money.
Not the lifestyle. Just . . . that. The looks. The smiles. The quiet understanding.
Six months in London, and I’ve never felt more alone.
“How long have you two been together?” Sofia asks, turning to me.
I laugh awkwardly. “Oh . . . no, we’re not. I work for Ray.”
Her brows lift slightly, then she turns to him. “When are you going to bring an actual date I can befriend?”
“Is a woman having dinner with us not a date?” Ray asks, a faint grin pulling at his lips.
Sofia tilts her head. “I don’t know, you tell me. Will I see this one again?”
Heat creeps up my neck and I drop my gaze to the table.
“Sorry,” she adds quickly, reaching across to squeeze my hand. “That was rude. These men have no idea how to date properly.”
“Wynter is caring for Anika,” Vinn cuts in.
Sofia’s expression immediately softens. “Oh god, I’m sorry,” she says. “You must need a break.”
“It’s okay,” I say quickly, even though my cheeks are still burning.
“Now that you’ve thoroughly embarrassed everyone,” Ray mutters, “maybe we can order?”
His tone is light, but there’s an edge to it.
The waiter appears and menus are placed in front of us.
I stare at mine, barely taking in the words. Everything sounds expensive and complicated.
“Order whatever you like,” Ray says quietly beside me, low enough that only I hear.
I nod, even though that doesn’t make it any easier.
The conversation splits after that. The men fall into business talk—numbers, deals, names I don’t recognise.
Sofia turns to me with a warm smile.
“So, how is she?” she asks gently. “Anika?”
I relax a little at the shift.
“She’s good,” I say. “Stronger than she gives herself credit for.”
Sofia nods. “That sounds about right.”
“And Mario?” I ask, leaning into safer territory. “How old is he now?”
Her whole face lights up.
“Four months,” she says, like it’s the best thing in the world. “And already ruling the house.”
I laugh. “Is he sleeping through yet?”
She groans. “Absolutely not.”
We both laugh, and for the first time since sitting down, I feel like I can breathe.
I stick to talking about her. I ask her everything from labour, routines, mum friends, and she answers like she’s been waiting for someone to talk to about it.
It’s easy. Natural. And I can relax knowing it’s not about me.
Across the table, I catch Ray watching me. Just for a second, but his expression is unreadable. Then he looks away, back to Vinn, like it never happened.
But the moment lingers.
And I don’t know why it makes my stomach flip.
Ray gets the bill, almost coming to blows with Vinn over it. It’s half serious, half ridiculous—two powerful men arguing over who gets to pay—until Vinn finally laughs and waves it off.
“To make it even,” he says, clapping Ray on the shoulder, “you’re coming to Enzo’s.”
Ray glances at me, already deciding. “Of course.”
The thought of alcohol makes my stomach churn, but I don’t get a say. Ray takes my hand, firm, unyielding, and leads me out of the restaurant.
Enzo’s is huge.
Not as big as the casino, but close enough that it makes my head spin. Lights flash, music pounds, bodies move in every direction.
Thankfully, we’re ushered straight into the VIP section, away from the chaos.
Vinn disappears almost immediately, pulled into conversations with people hanging around, maybe waiting especially for him. And Sofia excuses herself too, promising to return as soon as she’s spoken to a few people she’s spotted.
Ray leads me to the bar.
“What are you having?” he asks.
“Anything but Champagne,” I say quickly.
He huffs a quiet laugh and orders me a cocktail.
When the drinks arrive, he guides me to a booth. I slide in beside him, close enough that our arms brush.
“Dinner wasn’t so bad,” he says, glancing at me. “Was it?”
I shake my head. “No. You have nice friends.”
“Sofia liked you.”
I blink. “She did?”
He nods, like it’s obvious. My chest warms a little. At least I’ve made a good impression. “You and Holly seemed to get on yesterday,” he adds.
I arch a brow at him. “Even though she was bribed to babysit me?”
His jaw tightens slightly. “It wasn’t like that.”
“Oh no?” I sip my drink.
“I thought you’d enjoy the company,” he says. “You’re similar in age. She’s fun. Anika likes her.”
“She is fun,” I admit. “Maybe a bit too fun. My friends back home don’t have such expensive taste.”
“What do you like to drink back home?”
I smile faintly. “I’m a Cider kind of girl.”
That earns me another quiet laugh. “What are your friends like?” he asks.
I shrug, relaxing a little. “Normal. Kate’s loud, says whatever she wants, doesn’t care who hears. Filip’s the opposite. He’s calm, sensible. He keeps us grounded.”
“And they were okay with you leaving?”
“They worried,” I admit, “but they knew I had to try.”
His gaze lingers on me. “Was it just the job?” he asks. “Or were you running?”
The question hits hard, like my past is blaringly obvious. I frown, my defences kicking in. “I wasn’t running.”
He leans closer, lowering his voice. “Everyone’s running from something, Wynter.” The way he says my name makes my stomach flip. “You left your family, your friends . . . everything you knew. Came here with nothing.”
“That’s not true,” I snap defensively. “I had a job.”
“Barely,” he says bluntly. “You came here chasing something that was never really yours.” My grip tightens around my glass. “So,” he continues, watching me carefully, “who broke your heart?”
I inhale sharply at his words hanging heavy between us.
Josh. Even now, just thinking his name twists something deep inside me. A year on, and it still hurts.
I don’t want to revisit that memory, not here with him. I take a breath and force a smile. “Why isn’t Anika’s ex allowed in the apartment?” I ask.
His eyes narrow immediately. “You’re deflecting.”
“I’m asking.”
He studies me for a second, then takes a slow drink. “He’s not good for her.”
“But he’s Sebastian’s dad.”
“That doesn’t make him a good man.” His eyes narrow further, full of suspicion. “Has she said something to you?” he asks, irritation creeping into his tone.
I shake my head. “No.”
Before he can respond, Vinn appears, leaning in to murmur something in Ray’s ear.
Ray nods once, then looks back at me. “Stay with Sofia,” he says, already standing. “I’ll be back.”
Sofia slides into the booth across from me, smoothing her dress as she settles. A man in a leather jacket lingers nearby, watching us without being obvious about it.
The second Ray disappears, I lean closer.
“Who’s he?” I ask quietly.
She glances over her shoulder and gives the man a small wave. He nods back, a lazy grin spreading across his face.
“That’s Lake,” she says. “He’s with a local MC, The Kings Reapers. He keeps an eye on me when Vinn’s busy.”
“Busy doing what?” I ask.
She smiles faintly. “You know . . . taking care of business.”
I nod like I understand, even though I absolutely do not.
She shifts, turning her full attention to me. “So, tell me about Anika. I’ve heard loads about her but never really had the chance to properly get to know her. Apparently, she was wild back in the day.”
I blink. “She was?”
“That’s what I’ve heard,” Sofia says with a grin. “Ran things just as well as the men, which isn’t easy in our world.”
I nod again, pretending I know what that means.
“And is it weird?” she adds suddenly.
“What?”
“Being around them when you like Ray so much.”
I choke slightly on my drink. “I don’t,” I say quickly. “Not like that.”
“Bullshit,” she laughs. “You look at each other like you want to tear each other’s clothes off.”
Heat floods my face. “He’s my boss,” I mumble. “And he can’t stand me.”
She leans back, amused. “I used to think that about Vinn.”
I glance in the direction the men left, then back to her. “I can’t imagine that. You look perfect together.”
Her smile softens. “We’re not. Not even close.” There’s a pause, then she adds casually, “Try a forced marriage, forced pregnancy, and a kidnapping.”
I blink at her. “I’m sorry . . . what?”
She laughs lightly, like she’s talking about bad weather. “We’ve had our moments. Still do. But we always find our way back to each other.”
My chest tightens as I realise she’s serious. “That’s . . . a lot.”