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I inhale sharply, the rebellious part of me itching to put this privileged brat in his place. But I hold back for Ryan’s sake. And for Gina, Diana, and Richard. I’m about to walk away, but I can’t resist throwing in a biting remark. “Yes, but you seem to lack the skills to actually keep the ring on a woman’s finger. Remind me, did Carmen leave you for a real man, or did you offer her a pair of concrete boots?”
Don steps back, clearly taken aback. “Whoa, he’s picked one with claws.”
I mask my sneer with a sweet smile. “I’ll retract them if they frighten you, but only if you sheathe your fangs, Don.”
He tones down his bitterness but still hits back. “For someone who’s just passing through, you’re making yourself comfortable. In any case, enjoy your brief moment of fame, luxury, and my house before you’re sent back to where you belong.”
His smile widens, his first genuine smile of the evening, when he sees my brows knit in confusion. “Oh, you didn’t know? The house you live in is mine. My deck, my pool, my lake, my views. Hell, you’re probably fucking in my bed because the wretch didn’t bother to change the furniture.”
“Yeah, right,” I scoff, refusing to engage with his nonsense. The man’s clearly lost it.
Just then, I feel a strong arm slide around my waist. Ryan. God I’ve never missed his solid presence like I have in the last half hour. I grab onto that arm like a lifeline. He’s right. There are sharks in this ocean.
“You two seem to be getting along like a house on fire.” I hear the smile in Ryan’s voice as he pulls me even closer. “Can I have my wife back now?”
“You sure can,” I reply, sick of being civil. I turn into Ryan’s embrace thus dismissing Don.
An awkward silence falls over us, and though I don’t see it, I sense the two men exchanging unspoken words through their glares. I just take deep breaths, letting Ryan’s warmth and scent envelop me. Eventually, Don walks away.
“He upset you,” Ryan observes. “From across the garden, I could tell you were a second away from tackling him to the ground.”
I laugh. “You’re not wrong there.”
“What did he say to you?”
“Just the usual intimidation tactics. But I’ll tell you this, Ryan, that man despises you.”
Ryan lets out a deep sigh. “I prefer to call it profound envy; otherwise, it just gets depressing.”
“How so?”
“He’s my COO and first cousin. I can’t exactly get rid of him.”
“If I were you, I’m sure I’d find a way.”
His laughter vibrates against my cheek. “Don takes rivalry to a whole new level. He can be a real nightmare if you’re in his way, but aside from that, he’s a sharp businessman.”
I’m surprised that Ryan is actually defending him. “You almost sound like you admire the guy?”
“He’s family,” he shrugs, a hint of resignation in his voice. “And it’s my responsibility to look out for him. To be able to do that, I have to see the good in him, even if it means squinting through an electron microscope.”
I realize Ryan now carries the burden of being the head of this family. And once more, I’m proud of myself for maintaining my composure with Don.
“Did he try to say something to you?” Ryan asks again.
“He’s full of it, but really, he was more interested in undermining you.”
“Typical.”
“Gosh, Ryan, staying classy can be so dull you know. How do you manage it?”
He gives me a look, then chuckles. “Isn’t that what true friends and siblings are for? Loving and sparring.”
I sigh, “Nah. My friends and I keep it classy and respectful. Anyway, Don knows about the loophole.”
“Of course, he does.”
“You knew! Why didn’t you give me a heads-up?”
