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CHANCE
We braced ourselves for the many questions burning in Ian’s mind. He’d begun asking me a few, but Amber and that girl entered the lobby, delaying the inevitable. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, the door opened again.
“Fuck’s sake,” he murmured under his breath.
A man entered the room, striding over. The three of us stood. He was about my height, with darker features. A half-full glass of golden alcohol dangled in his fingers by his side, a wide grin on his face as his eyes trained on Amber.
“Ian, thank you, gracias, and grazie for blessing my men and me with such a beautiful woman.”
He pointed to her, taking her hand in his delicately. Bowing, he placed a small kiss on the back of the skin I’d kissed so many times. Wrinkling my nose at his over-the-top gesture, I stepped between them.
“Ah, Chance Hardwin.” He took my hand in his, shaking it with an excessively pleasant, tipsy tone. “The ex.”
Yanking my hand away, I pivoted to face Amber. “This must beAlahhandrrro.” Pronouncing his name exactly as I did in California, I twisted back to him, a phony smile splashed on my face. I stepped back next to Amber, trying my best to remain calm.
Ian rolled his eyes, calling his attention away, “I’m glad you enjoyed the dance.”
“Oh, we all did.” He took a sizable swig of his drink, flashing Amber an evil grin through the rim of his glass. “I have some business to discuss with you tomorrow. How about breakfast?”
“Jenna has a doctor appointment, so call me.”
“Sure.” He set his empty glass on the coffee table before taking both of Amber’s hands in his. “When can I take you out again?”
Anger swelled within me. My blood boiled as I watched Mr. Accent deliberately flirting with her in front of me. I balled my fists at my sides. I’d killed men before, having a taste of Ian's lifestyle, and I wouldn’t hesitate to take Alejandro out now.
“Can we talk about it later?” She shot me a quick glance as she spoke to him.
Sneering, he leaned close to her ear, his gaze locked on mine as he whispered, “I hope you do. I’m staying at the Four Seasons if you get lonely.”
I got ready to dive at him, but Ian lifted a hand. “Okay, okay.”
Luke and Jade entered the lobby, calling everyone’s attention away. Amber’s eyes were looking everywhere except at me, which left me to assume something happened between her and that mother fucker while they were in New York.
“Luke,” Ian growled through the tense atmosphere, “escort Alejandro back to his guests.”
“Okay, but I need to speak to you after, though.”
Alejandro followed Luke and Jade, but not before he flashed a quick look at Amber and me.
The moment the door closed, Ian sighed. “Why is everyone so fucking high maintenance tonight?” He motioned toward the couch. “You two, sit.”
Amber and I simultaneously plunked down, leaving a couple of inches of space between us.
“While I’m happy to have you home,” he looked at me, “and you back at work,” he pointed to her, “I need to know that whatever drama is going on between you will not affect everyone around you, which includes this place.” He leaned forward, propping his elbows on his knees, glaring at her. “I don’t know why the hell you were late for your private dance but, I knowyouwere somehow involved,” he shifted his gaze to me again, “and I swear to God if you guys were fighting—”
“It was my fault.” I cleared my throat. “I paid Amber to dance for me. We didn’t fight.”
He sat back, arching a brow at her. “Is that true?”
Bowing her head, she fidgeted her fingers in her lap. “Yeah, I wasn’t touching up my makeup. I was dancing and lost track of time, but please don’t be mad at Luke. He wasn’t trying to lie to you. He—”
“I’m not mad. My wife is hoping for the best with you guys. I don’t want her to worry while she’s pregnant. I suggest you guys grow the fuck up and work your shit out. Whether you stay together or not, I don’t fucking care anymore, but you need to talk. Sooner rather than later.”
“You sure sound mad.” I snorted, remembering my humor wasn’t welcome when Ian was lecturing anyone.
“We understand.” Amber spoke over me with a shaky tone. “The last thing we want is to stress either of you out. We’ll talk.”
Nodding once, I agreed as the three of us stood.
