Page 113 of Nothing to Win

Staring at Sear Junior, his mind’s eye couldn’t erase the image of his fist in the guy’s face.The first delicate touch of Gia’s fingertip on the inside of his middle finger got his attention.It was quickly joined by the others.Her fingers slid down, threading between his, linking them together.

A smile flirted with the corner of her mouth.“Bram,” she said.“You’re a prick.Everett’s going to see through your plan to dismantle his life’s work in the name of making a quick profit.Yes, I did read your proposal and understand it’s dishonest and deceptive.”While her brother stuttered, she turned to him.“Mister, I need a ride home.”

Shit, subduing his pride wasn’t easy.“It would be my pleasure.”

She kissed Gault’s cheek then whispered something in his ear.

The older man laughed and picked up her free hand to kiss her knuckles.“You are nothing but light, my beautiful joy.”

Gia smiled at Gault but squeezed his hand, conveying she was ready to go.After nodding again to Gault, Brogan led his posse from the room, his woman at his side where she belonged.

THIRTY-FIVE

“PACK YOUR THINGS.Come to my room.”

Those had been Brogan’s instructions.

Now cross-legged in the middle of Brogan’s bed, Gia lined up chocolates from the box Gault gave her earlier in the day.They were amazing, a distraction from the quivers of hormones reacting to Brogan commanding his board on a conference call.

She assumed they’d be leaving quickly.After the call probably.He’d said it would be a few minutes about a half hour ago.Their suitcases stood side-by-side at the door.Not going anywhere.Yet.

The board was important.More important.

Them, their relationship, hmm, that would have to take a ticket.

Someone knocked on the door and she was about to move when Brogan held up a finger, silently telling her to stay put.Still talking, he went to answer the door without acknowledging the newcomers.

When he returned, Tripp, Julius, and Jenna trailed behind him.

“Elton is downstairs,” Jenna said.

“The jet is ready,” Julius said and pointed at Brogan further across the room in front of the window.“He’s still on?”

“They’re planning,” she said, biting into one of the chocolates and lifting up the box to offer the sweet treats to Jenna.“Try the dark chocolate.”

The assistant came over to select one.“Planning?”

“Yes,” she said.“Something about a restructure.”Gia pointed at the bed.“Sit down, Jenna, you’ll have to eat these with me or I’ll be sick.”

“You could just put the lid back on,” Tripp said.

Grinning, she took another bite of the chocolate in her fingertips.“Then I’ll never get to the coffee one,” she said.“I leave my favorite to last.”

Jenna took another dark chocolate.

Tripp sat on the opposite side of the bed, leaning back to snag one of the pralines.“If it’s coffee truffles you like, I know this tiny little chocolatier in Belgium.He’s a wizard.It’s a family factory but the best on the planet.I can order a shipping container of coffee truffles for you.”

With a mouth full of chocolate, all she could do was lift her brows.

“Stealing my girl with candy?”Brogan asked, attracting everyone’s attention.

“Bees and honey, my man, trust me,” Tripp said.“If we run away together, first place I’d look is Brussels.”

Brogan flashed a brief smile then focused on her.“I’m sorry, Irish.That took longer than I thought.”

“Do you think it’s a good idea to make long-term plans this late on a Friday night?More than a few members of your board have probably indulged in a couple of shandies.”

“No one’s put pen to paper yet,” he said.