Page 92 of Nothing to Win

“We arrived late and were shown straight to our rooms,” Brogan said.“We’d have no reason to come across them.We haven’t even seen Gault yet.”

“We’ll apologize as soon as he arrives,” Julius said.“But we won’t miss him.That guy likes to make an entrance.”

“Gault or Bram Sear?”

The latter was going to be unbearable.He couldn’t have reached out to Gia, but it would be advantageous to know what she told her family about the demise of their relationship.It was possible she’d told them every truth.With the deal having technically been voided, she didn’t need to adhere to the requested confidentiality.But he had no way to obtain that information and wasn’t going to pursue her for it.Giving her space was the least he could do; the last thing he wanted was to inflame her temper.He’d been on the receiving end of his Gia’s venomous eyes and sharp tongue… His Gia… she wasn’t his Gia anymore and wouldn’t be again.

Truth?Space wasn’t only for her benefit.

He lifted his glass to his lips, except, damn, it was empty.Snagging a passing server, he gave him the glass and ordered another.

“You’ve been drinking a lot the last couple of days,” Julius said.

Concern or censure?He didn’t even care.

“Your point?”

“If you get drunk and belligerent, you’ll fuck our chances.”

Direct?Sure?Another truth?He didn’t give a fuck about their chances at that moment.Before he could open his mouth to say that, Conway and Bram Sear entered the ballroom.

Nudging Julius, he nodded toward them.“Told you they were here.”

Julius followed his line of sight then sighed.“Guess it was too much to hope they’d changed their minds.”

“Have you ever known Conway Sear to forfeit a fight?”

“He changed his mind about you,” Julius said, taking his own glass to his mouth.

Was he fucking joking?Restraining a scoff, he blinked at the man in disbelief.

“He didn’t change his mind about me.He made a strategic decision not to cause a fuss because he thought it would help him here.”

“It’s funny,” Julius said.“Both parties thought Gia would give them the edge, and here we are without her.”

“Do you think they’re still trying to use her?”

“By telling Gault you broke her heart?”Julius asked.“It’s possible.They’d have to be careful about…”

That trailing off distracted him from seeking the server.“What?”he asked.“What is it?”

Julius’s lips parted.The only way he could describe his cohort’s expression was shock.Not an angry shock, it was dumbfounded.Julius nodded beyond him and he turned to—

Whatever he anticipated seeing wasn’t close to the sight that stunned him static.There, just inside the door was Everett Gault, bold and confident as always, greeting the guests crowding him with offers of outstretched hands and tilted cheeks.

Gault wasn’t alone.

No.

The identity of the beauty on his arm was the shock… Glowing, wearing a smile almost as broad as her face, was Gianna Sear.His Gia.

“Irish,” he murmured and took a step in their direction.

Julius caught his arm to halt him.“She’s not yours anymore,” he muttered.“You’ve got to hold it back.”

It?What it?Hold back the boiling fury that wanted to rip the old man’s eyes out for admiring the plunging neckline of Gia’s dress?The burning desire that drove a need to taste her?His craving for the texture of her skin beneath his fingertips?The sound of her sweet need filling his ear?Maybe his friend meant to hold back his disgust at the pride in Conway and Bram Sear’s expressions as they stood a good thirty feet away from their kin admiring the scene?

The thing he couldn’t hold, that overwhelmed him, was the intensity of heated love urging him to protect her.He’d worried about seeing her again, about what he’d do if they ever found themselves at the same event.In the past, when at the same function, they’d had no reason to address each other.Now he didn’t trust his ability to stay away from her.