Page 127 of Nothing to Win

That truth wasn’t even acknowledged.

“What’s the quo?Tell me how to make it happen.”

“This is outrageous!”her father exclaimed.

It was a wonder it took him so long to shake the sand from his shoes.Then again…

Kneeling before her, down there, gaze appealing to hers as his chest rose and fell, Brogan Spurn was asking her to… Her Brogan Spurn.In front of an audience.An audience of outraged family and eager gossip hounds.

Her head began to shake.Why?She had no idea.She needed—this was the kind of thing she needed to talk out with someone before deciding.Someone?Brogan.She meant Brogan.

“Man, he’s desperate,” Bram said, snickering.She didn’t like that the voice seemed to be approaching.“Soak up the humiliation, Spurn.”

“You can’t take my daughter.”Her father tugged her arm.“Get back inside.”

Except she didn’t go.She remained on the spot, transfixed by the proud man laying himself bare.Her man.Her Spurn.

“You lost, Spurn,” Bram said.“Get over it.”

“I can’t go back,” she said.“I can’t go back to the way things were—”

“Gia—”

“Mister, you’ve changed me,” she said to Brogan, ignoring her brother.“You’re incredible and don’t deserve to lose everything for… I don’t want anything bad to happen to you.I love you so, so much—”

“Anything else I can fix.”Rising, his hands slid up her body until they rested on her hips.“Whatever you need, whatever’s not enough.What do you need me to do, baby, tell me.”

Astounded that he could even think she needed more than the universe he’d given her, she opened her hand to slip her finger into the ring.As soon as he felt her push, he eased it into its meant-to-be spot.

“You’re my everything,” she said.“My only quo is your happy ever after.Yours.Whatever it takes, I’ll do my absolute best for you.”

“Irish, every moment you’re mine is my bliss.We’re doing this right, baby.My name, our name.”

Her father yanked on her.“Gianna—”

She jerked her arm away.“I’m done,” she said, wrapping Brogan’s arms around her as she turned to face her father and brother.“I can’t embarrass you if I belong to a different family, Daddy.”

“I meant what I said inside.”

“You won’t have me back,” she said, threading her fingers through Brogan’s.“That’s a chance I have to take.”

“I mean it.”

“I know you do,” she said.“I remember what you did to my little sister.”

Fortunately, the same action wasn’t available to her father now.Not that it would stop Brogan.A man determined, nothing would dissuade him now he’d chosen her.Thank God he’d chosen her.

Her father wasn’t done.“You’ll regret this.”

“I regret walking away from Gault’s with you,” she said.“That should never have happened.This is where I belong.”Nestled against Brogan.“I love him.”

Brogan nuzzled her hair.“And he loves you.”

Her father’s jaw pushed out.He’d want to say more, to argue, to flip out, which he was good at.But they were under scrutiny.Not just an audience, those watching would have cameras and microphones aimed their way.What was he going to do while under these lights?Man, her guy was good.

Roxie tripped up at their side.“I love it when love wins,” she said.“Good to go?”

She nodded.“Good and eager.My things—”