Save Me #1

33| Dinner for seven

Zach's POV

I watch as all the color drains out of Olivia's face. When I follow her gaze, I know exactly why. Jack, her asshole boss, is sitting amongst the small group of greasy men, swirling his glass filled with brown liquor.

Her small hand searches mine and she moves her head closer to my ear without taking her eyes off the bar.

"Jack!" she whispers in shock.

I nod, "I already saw him."

Liv breaks her gaze from the men at the bar and looks up to me with a question mark on her face. I can see she's unsure how to react.

"Just act like you don't know him. Can you do that?" I plant a soft kiss on her cheek, and watch her pale face turning into a doubtful frown.

"I'll try," she responds and takes a deep breath.

"Zach, Olivia, come over. I've got a drink for you two," Franco's voice booms through the room.

I huff and walk to the bar, leaving Olivia's hand in mine to give her comfort.

Franco hands Liv and me two drinks.

"Whiskey for you, Zachary, and one margarita for the lady, I thought it's too early for a Sex on the Beach," he says in a deep, flirty voice. I clench my teeth but resist the urge to punch him into his macho face. Instead, I take a generous nip of my whiskey and enjoy the burning liquor running down my throat.

"May I introduce Vladimir and Igor," Franco says in my direction. "They are potential business partners and consider investing into our casino."

I shake hands with the two obviously Russian men and nod with a tight smile.

"Zach's father was a long-time regular player and a good friend of mine," Franco explains to Vladimir and Igor. "And well, what shall I say, Zachary followed into his footsteps. He's one of my best players for years now."

"Stepdad," I correct him with narrowed eyes.

"Of course, stepfather, excuse me" Franco retorts. He's way too friendly tonight. I hate it here. I hate him. I hate all of this. The way he's talking about me like he's talking about a friend when in reality I'm only playing at his fucked up casino because he leaves me no other choice gives me nausea.

I haven't heard a word from Vladimir and Igor so far. They are just sipping at their vodka and watch me with numb faces. Olivia squeezes my hand and shoots me a faint smile. She must've noticed how uncomfortable I'm feeling.

"This is Jack. Also, a new business partner. He owns a small diner at the moment, but he toyed with the idea to change into the gambling industry for a long time now. I think he made a wise decision," Franco introduces Jack to us, and I instantly feel Liv's body tensing even more than before as Jack holds out his beefy hand to us. We both shake it, and I'm more than relieved as he doesn't let show that he already knows Liv. The less Franco knows about her life, the better.

Francesco introduces the last guy as his younger brother and right hand, Stefano, and then he leads us into the dining room.

Olivia's POV

I am seated between Zach and one of the Russian brothers, Igor. Of course, the dining room is as luxurious as the other rooms we've seen so far. White marble floor, golden carpet, and a table with seating for fourteen people. Above the table, a pretentious crystal chandelier is hanging from the ceiling and bathes the room in a warm light. The table is golden and the chairs standing around it are white leather with a golden frame.

"Everything okay?" Zach whispers into my ear and reassuringly squeezes my thigh.

"I guess so," I retort and give him a weak smile. We're here for less than an hour now, and I'm already exhausted. All the things Zach told me to not mention are constantly buzzing around in my head. I plan on talking as little as possible and will only speak when I'm asked to.