Page 47 of Nothing to Win

Gia wasn’t even sure the anger of a moment ago was a hundred percent genuine.

“Now we can do this civilized like,” Zairn said, laying a hand on Roxanna’s lower back to turn them both to face Gia.“Gianna Sear, have you met my wife, Roxanna Kyst?”

“You don’t use the hyphenate?”

“I do when I want to get in anywhere,” Roxie said.

“Who are you kidding, Lo?”Zairn asked.“Iuse the hyphenate if I want to get in anywhere.”

“Don’t you forget it, Skippy,” Roxie said, bumping him with a hip before crossing to take both of her hands.“Gianna, it is an absolute pleasure.”

“Roxanna—”

“Roxie is fine,” she said.“Only the emperor deems to use my full name.”

“That’s how you know it’s me in the dark.”

Roxie put an arm around her to walk them toward the door.“Have you ever been to Crimson?”

“Have I—oh, uh, no,” Gia said.“I wouldn’t have anything to wear.My mother wouldn’t—she just wouldn’t.”

Zairn stepped out of their path toward the exit.

“That’s a call to arms if ever I heard one,” Roxie said.“Let’s go shopping.”

And after a final glance back to check Brogan had no objections, she followed Roxie’s lead out of there.

FIFTEEN

A WEEK WENT BY, then another.When she wasn’t with Roxie or Shanna, she was with Brogan.He never complained about her spending time with friends, though that may be because she always prioritized his engagements over any others.

The deal was the deal.

Was that the only reason she put him first?The less said about that…

Ascending the stairs in his apartment, the straps of her six-inch heels hung on her finger.She’d taken them off in the elevator, preparing for bed as best she could.Losing the dress might be a step too far.The elevator only opened into his apartment, but there could be cameras in there.

What was with this sudden confidence?This brazenness that wouldn’t let her drop her chin?Brogan’s influence?Roxie’s?This was a world she’d never been part of and it was exciting.The freedom, the ability to be her without judgment.People lived this way and now she was one of them.

In the darkened hallway, light emanated from Brogan’s office.It was late.Not that late, not too late to go say goodnight.

The door was open and he looked up the moment she stepped into it.

“Hi,” she said, leaning against the doorjamb.“Am I disturbing you?”

“No.Did you have a good night?”

“I slipped out to give Roxie and Zairn some privacy.”

“He’s back?”

“Just today.Is Julius asleep?”

“At his own place.He only stops here when need be.”

And his friend would know when to give him space.“You deserve your privacy too.”She stood straight.“I hope you don’t mind I came back here.”

“This is your base,” he said.“And if you meet resistance from your family—”