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Luckily, he didn’t, releasing his hold on Liam.
“When the guy attacked me, I tried to fight him.”
“What were you doing in some alley?” Liam shifted his attention back to me. “What the hell were you thinking?” He paced the length of the room, tugging on his sandy hair. “If something had happened to you…” He stopped in his tracks, approaching me and taking my hand back in his. “Haven’t we already lost enough? I can’t stomach the idea of losing you, too.”
I felt the heat of Gideon’s stare from across the room, his irritation simmering just beneath the surface. Why did he seem so irked by Liam? Did they have dealings with each other professionally? Liam was on the board of one of the largest media conglomerates in existence. It sounded like Gideon was well-known in the business world himself. Was there more to the tension than that?
“What are you doing here anyway?” I tilted my head. “Aren’t you supposed to be in New York?”
He looked away. “Some last-minute business came up that required me to be in Los Angeles. I was about to take off for New York when I got Mel’s phone call. I headed straight here.”
“You didn’t need to do that. As you can see, I’m fine.”
“You’re in the damn hospital, Gin. I wouldn’t call that fine.”
“You know how these things go. They have to err on the side of caution and subject me to dozens of unnecessary tests.”
“Youshould err on the side of caution, too. And that includes not disappearing out of the back of a club into a goddamn alley!”
“I know. I don’t need you to treat me like I’m a child. I just…” I expelled a breath, glancing at the clock on the wall to see it was nearing two in the morning..
The last thing I wanted was to get into everything I’d kept from both Melanie and Liam. I’d been up for almost twenty-four hours and was bone tired.
“I’m sure Ms. Prescott would like to get some rest,” Gideon stated with authority, as if able to read my thoughts. Then his expression softened as his eyes met mine. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
“Thank you.”
He held my gaze for a protracted beat, then he turned toward Liam.“Mr. Pierce.” He gave him a curt nod before smiling at Melanie. “Ms. Burnham.”
“Mr. Saint,” she responded.
An awkward silence filled the room as we all watched Gideon retreat into the hallway.
“Why don’t you come to Ginny’s birthday party?” Liam called out just as he was about to disappear from view.
I darted my eyes toward Liam, his invitation catching me off guard. Why was he inviting Gideon to my birthday party?
Then again, Liam wasn’t really throwing it in my honor. It was more for him to put on a show for all his wealthy friends, further confirmation that Gideon Saint was someone worth knowing, at least in Liam’s mind.
“We’d love to have you.”
When Liam placed his hand on my shoulder and squeezed, I gave him a questioning look. Why was he trying to imply we were an item? Did he feel threatened by Gideon?
“It’s okay if you can’t,” I told him. “I’m sure you have a busy schedule.”
“I do, but I’m more than happy to make time for you, Imogene.”
The way my name rolled off his tongue sent a shiver down my spine. Soft. Sensual. Seductive.
“She prefers to go by Ginny,” Liam said.
“And I prefer to let the lady speak for herself,” Gideon snipped back before reaching into the inside pocket of his suit and handing Liam a card. “Send me the details. I look forward to getting to know you better.” He looked at me. “Imogene.”
He allowed my name to hang in the air for a few more seconds. Then he disappeared down the hallway.
But even after he was gone, his presence lingered in the room like a phantom, leaving me confused, captivated, and intrigued about who Gideon Saint really was.
And why I felt I knew him.
