Page 58 of High Stakes

He glances up, his chopping knife held mid-air, “Shit, what did you say?”

“I didn’t take it,” I mutter, stirring the sauce. “I don’t want anything from him.”

“It’s your choice,” he says, frowning, “But I’m kind of on Aria’s side with this.” I stare open mouthed, and heshrugs, “You deserve that money.” I thought out of everyone, he’d be on my side.

“It’ll be like I’ve prostituted myself,” I tell him.

“He took it anyway, Bella. The least he owes you is the money he was paying your dad. And let’s face it, what will your dad spend it on? Booze most likely. You said you paid the mortgage and bills whilst you lived there, yet it’s all in his name. You won’t get any of that back, so see this as your return on the property.”

I smirk, “It doesn’t matter how I dress it up, it’s still money that Aiden paid dad for his part in the entire thing. And Aria wants me to buy the florist beside the bakery and open it as a wedding cake shop.”

“The what the hell are you waiting for? It’s a sign. Your future depends on it.”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Aiden

I down my black coffee and shake out my stressed shoulders. It’s the first day I’ve woken sober since she left me. And it’s the first day I’ve wanted to be in the office and actually do some work.

I gather the empty whiskey bottles from the desk and place them in a box, then carry them into the bar for recycling. JP glances up from where he’s sitting in one of the booths. It’s almost lunch, and we don’t open until after six, but it’s not unusual to see him here early just lately, picking up the slack for me. I dump the box on thefloor and join him. “Morning,” I say. He eyes me before turning his attention back to his laptop. “Anything I can help with?” I know him and Raff are pissed at me, I don’t blame them, but I hate being ignored.

Eventually he sighs, “I’m doing the weekly order.”

“I’m sober,” I point out. “I thought it was time I got my shit together.”

He gives a stiff nod. “Good to have you back.”

“Are we supposed to congratulate you?” comes Raff’s voice as he enters the bar, dumping his gym bag on the ground and sitting beside JP. “Cos let me tell you, I’m not as easy to get round.”

I smirk, “I’m not trying to get around you, Raff. I’m simply saying I’m done with the drink and partying.”

“What about sorry?” he snaps. “Where’s the fucking massive apology you owe us for keeping your bar afloat whilst you locked yourself away.”

“I’d do the exact same for both of you.”

“But you never have to do you, Aiden. Because we don’t pull that shit.”

“Okay, I’m sorry you had to clean up my mess,” I say, shrugging. “But in case you didn’t realise, I was kind of drowning.”

“Fuck you, Aiden,” he spits. “All that shit for this place, and then you just turned your back. If it hadn’t been for us,you wouldn’t even have the club anymore. It would have all been for nothing.”

“You’re right,” I mutter. “I’m really sorry. And I appreciate you sticking around and saving my backside.”

He relaxes a little. “Don’t do it again.”

“In other news, Bella banked the cheque.” JP avoids eye contact, “But then you knew that, right?” I guess.

“Aria mentioned it,” he mutters.

“And you didn’t want to tell me?”

“I’m only just getting Aria to speak to me, I don’t think she’ll be happy if I feed information back to you.”

I give a knowing nod. “I just hope she spends it on a new place, I hate the thought of her sharing with that fitness freak.”

“As long as she’s happy, it doesn’t matter,” says Raff, firmly, exchanging a look with JP.

“What?” I ask.

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