Page 112 of Nothing to Win

“Gia wants SG to win this,” Brogan said, focusing on Julius because his mentor should be apologizing for considering this a viable avenue for victory.“To ensure that happens, she wants us, that’s her and I, to pretend we’re at odds, so she can flirt it up with the guy whose company I’m trying to acquire?She thinks it will put us at a corporate advantage?”

“Yes,” Julius said.“Yes, that’s it exactly.”

“She wants me to keep my distance until I win the contract,” he asked the nodding Tripp.“So I can’t go near Gia, or be alone with her, until Gault announces the successful party?”

“Yeah,” Tripp said.“That so complicated?”

“My girl wants me to prioritize corporate ambition above our relationship,” Brogan said.“She wants me to protect the company interests at all costs?”

No fucking way.Julius was smarter than to think he’d accept this.Had he fallen and cracked his skull?And Tripp?What the fuck?Was there some kind of mass chemical intoxication going on?

Julius’s tone, thankfully, proved there was at least some awareness of his aversion.

“It’s only a few days, Brogan,” the older man said carefully.“Three at most.”

His head bobbed slowly.“Protect the corporation,” he muttered.“And here I thought Dad had been dead ten years.”Tipping his head back, he appealed to the heavens, though his father more likely went in the other direction.“You sent me a real company girl, Stefan.”He looked Julius dead in the eye.“Trouble is, I always think I know best.”

“Brogan,” Julius warned.

Sweeping a finger around the group, he indicated them all.“You three with me.”

One member was missing from their posse.Remedying that wouldn’t take long.Setting Gia in his sights, she was his goal.

“What are you going to do?”Tripp asked, following on as he’d been instructed.“She’ll be mad if you go over there.”

Especially given her father and brother had just joined her and Gault.

“No doubt,” Brogan said, not dissuaded.

He didn’t even care about the people forced out of his way.Gia was laughing when he broke into their group, startling everyone.

Others were ignored to give Gault favor.

“Brogan,” Gault said, ever jolly.“Nice of you to join us.”

The man’s mood didn’t break his determination.“Mr.Gault, I have a lot of respect for you and what you’ve done in your corner of the market.You worked hard and practice a fairness not often seen.”

“Uh, thank you.The pitches aren’t until tomorrow.”Gault laughed.“Starting early?”

“Mister…” Gia murmured, a thread of fear in her voice.

Yeah, she’d figured it out, too late.Honestly, it was insulting.What did she expect?There was a stern talking to in her future.

“Spurn Global won’t be making a pitch,” he said, a ripple of surprise cascaded around the group.Gia’s eyes burned into him.“We’re formally withdrawing from consideration.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Gault said.“Your proposal was impressive.Julius, you support this decision?”

“Mr.Spurn calls the shots,” Julius said.“If he says SG won’t be making a pitch, then SG won’t be making a pitch.”

In his peripheral vision, Gia’s fingers slid away from Gault’s arm.

“The Spurn delegation will vacate their rooms this evening,” Brogan said and offered Gault his hand.“I would like to thank you for your hospitality and apologize if you feel we’ve wasted your time.”

“Not at all,” Gault said, shaking his hand.

“Guess he couldn’t stand up to the competition,” Bram said, snickering.

That guy didn’t know when to quit.Even now while Brogan was magnanimous and Gault gracious, Bram Sear couldn’t keep his need to be smug in check.