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And that's why Gemma's now looking at me in confusion, and all I can do is muster a smile.

"I need a minute."

Or two.

Or a thousand.

Gemma disappears back into the main dining hall, and a memory ambushes me as soon as I'm alone.



















Keiran

THREE YEARS AGO

Fascinated.

That was the only word for how the women looked at Keiran de Laigny the moment he walked into Harbour Locke Country Club. One tried to play it cool with a sip from her drink, only to snort it up her nose, and end up being that month's meme with her coughing fit.

The men Keiran walked past also ended up staring, albeit with more bitterness than admiration. Keiran's tall, lethally powerful build was pure testosterone. Next to him, they were nothing but cholesterol in golf shirts.

Their reactions, however, meant nothing at all to Keiran.

He was here to do one thing, and the sooner he was done with it, the better.

Check on the girl. Get all bases covered. Leave.

That was the plan.

But when he slipped inside the library, and he saw Viktor Biancardi's half-sister about to fall off a step ladder—-

What the hell?

His instincts kicked in even as his jaw clenched in disapproval. Having everything planned out - andneverdeviating from it was how he had always lived his life and defeated his enemies. So catching Viktor's little sister in his arms like this when they weren't even supposed to interact?

Not good.

And when he gazed down and saw the way she was stared up at him?