Tangled Temptations novel Chapter 370

Ravenna stormed out of the room.

It was Veronica who spoke first, her voice laced with concern. "How on earth did Ravenna end up here?"

Ravenna was an outsider, from a modest background, and the club they were in was a place where the average Joe couldn't foot the bill.

Veronica suspected Ravenna was keeping company with some dubious characters. After all, Ravenna was a classmate, and even if they weren't close, Veronica couldn't just stand by and watch her go down a slippery slope.

Gunner was visibly uncomfortable. He wanted to mumble an excuse, but Riley commented lightly, "Oh, was that Ravenna? She's quite a looker. Hope she doesn't take a wrong turn. Hey Gunner, why don't you play the knight in shining armor here?"

Gunner was seething inside. Riley fancied Veronica, and this must’ve been some sort of twisted joke. He was about to decline when the crisp sound of a lighter broke the tension. It was Harvey, flicking his Zippo.

The flame sparked to life. His chiseled face was inscrutable.

For some reason, Gunner felt a shiver run down his spine. It was odd; he suddenly had the feeling that Harvey seemed more formidable than before, even though he was only a year older. That aura was just different now.

"Go check on her, Gunner," Harvey said, breaking the silence. "After all, she's a classmate of Veronica's. It wouldn't be good if something happened to her."

Gunner wanted to see for himself what Ravenna was up to. As he rose, Veronica held him back. "Should I come with you?"

Gunner chuckled, "Nah, stay and have fun. I've got this."

...

Stepping out of the lounge, Gunner paused in the hallway and dialed Ravenna's number. "Where are you?"

Ravenna was fuming on the other end. Gunner had invited her, but Veronica was there too. It was as if he was mocking her.

She snapped, "What's it to you?"

Gunner's voice was firm. "Meet me by the restrooms."

He thought it was time to break things off with Ravenna. Whether today’s situation was someone else's scheme or Ravenna's ambition, he couldn't keep her around. He cared for Veronica and intended to make her his wife.

Leaning against the restroom wall, Gunner lit a cigarette.

Five minutes later, Ravenna arrived, dolled up and looking seductive. Despite her anger, she nestled against his shoulder and said, "When will you take me out in the open, to socialize properly?"

Gunner extinguished his cigarette. He pulled out a check from his wallet and laid it on the line. “Let’s end this. There’s half a million in here, and consider it compensation for your time.”

Ravenna was stunned. Was he eager to dump her just because she had bumped into Veronica?

She was a good actress and knew how to seduce. She didn't take the check, instead, she asked, "Are you sure you can let me go? Don't you remember how good it feels when we're together?"

As she spoke, her arms snaked around his neck, her lips brushing the nape of his ear. It had been a few days since Gunner and Veronica had sex, and Ravenna's advances were getting to him. Overcome by desire, he pulled her into a restroom stall.

Soon, the sounds of sex filled the small space.

...

Back in the lounge, Gunner hadn't returned for quite some time. Veronica was clearly distracted.

Riley was trying to console her, and Harvey spoke up with deliberate slowness, "Riley, why don't you take Veronica and check on them?"

Riley hesitated. Since when was Harvey so helpful?

However, he was willing, and escorted Veronica outside. She tried calling Gunner, but he didn't answer, and she grew anxious. "I hope he hasn't gotten into a conflict with someone in another private room."

Riley gave a small smile.

They checked each lounge, finding no one. Just as they were about to give up, they heard intense sounds from the restroom. Riley frowned at first, then chuckled under his breath, "Veronica, wait here for a second."

Veronica heard it, too. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Who would do such a thing in a restroom?

However, the man's heavy breathing sounded all too familiar. Her face drained of color, and she gripped Riley's arm, her voice shaking, "Riley, don't go."

Riley looked down at her. Veronica's delicate fingers had turned pale. After a moment, Riley softly asked her, "Are you sure you don't want to see? If the man you're about to marry is involved with another woman, can you really just let it go?"

Twenty-year-old Veronica loved Gunner deeply, but she was too proud. In the end, she leaned against the wall and whispered, "Go ahead, Riley. If it's him with Ravenna, don't take pictures or make a scene. Let's keep some dignity."

Riley's gaze darkened. He hesitated before gently touching her hair.