Page 84 of Chained By Fate (Dark Billionaires: Vegas #1)
I was about to ask exactly how many trust funds he had when I noticed a tall man in a perfectly cut gray suit joining Matt’s group. He moved with easy confidence, but something about him seemed more… accessible than the others in their circle.
“That’s Porter from Greene Tech,” Ryan supplied.
“They’re the ones developing that new sustainable energy thing Matt’s interested in.
Boring stuff, really, but apparently revolutionary.
” He popped another piece of maybe-tuna into his mouth.
“The real entertainment is watching Xavier try to steal the deal.”
I observed as Porter engaged Matt in what appeared to be an intense discussion. He’d been in several of the groups Matt had moved through tonight, I realized, always on the periphery but consistently present.
The evening flowed like the endless champagne, a river of wealth and whispered deals. Ryan and I had claimed a spot near one of the ornate pillars, which gave us an excellent view of what he called “Billionaire Theater.”
“Watch this,” he murmured, nodding toward where Xavier had smoothly inserted himself into Matt’s conversation circle. Even from across the room, I could see Matt’s shoulders tense slightly. “Ten bucks says Xavier brings up the Palmer contract.”
“The what?”
“Big deal Matt’s been working on. Xavier’s been trying to—” Ryan paused to wave at someone across the room. “Anyway, Xavier’s been circling like a shark. Matt’s about ready to throw him off the Stratosphere.”
I watched the subtle dance of power playing out across the ballroom. Matt was all controlled grace, his public mask firmly in place, but I could read the tension in his jaw. The memory of how that jaw had felt under my fingers in the shower made my cheeks heat.
“Earth to Andy,” Ryan singsonged. “Stop undressing my brother with your eyes. There are impressionable billionaires present.”
“I wasn’t?—”
“Please. You’ve got that same look you had when I interrupted your shower fun.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Which, by the way, you’re welcome. Matt’s shower speeches are legendary. Last time he had company over, the poor guy had to listen to a thirty-minute lecture on sustainable energy initiatives.”
“You’re making that up.”
“Cross my heart.” Ryan snagged two more glasses of cider from a passing server. “Though something tells me Matt’s speeches weren’t what had you all hot and bothered earlier.”
I nearly choked on my drink. “Can we talk about literally anything else?”
“Fine, fine. Oh look, there’s the Thompson twins. Did I tell you about the time they tried to buy the same island?”
As Ryan launched into what promised to be an outrageous story, I noticed Porter had drifted back into Matt’s orbit, this time with what looked like conference materials.
“Your Matt radar is going off again,” Ryan teased.
“I was actually watching—” I gestured vaguely toward Porter’s group.
“Boring business stuff. Though I guess someone has to care about…” Ryan squinted at the papers Porter was showing Matt. “Whatever that is. Probably charts about wind farms or something equally thrilling.”
A burst of laughter from nearby drew our attention. Xavier had gathered quite the audience, his natural charisma on full display. “And then,” I heard him say, “the entire server room went dark.”
“He tells that story at every event,” Ryan informed me. “Usually right before he tries to poach someone’s development team.” He straightened suddenly, interest sparking in his eyes. “Speaking of entertainment…”
Xavier was making his way toward us, that perfect smile still in place. Up close, he was even more striking—all sharp cheekbones and emerald eyes that probably made most people forget how to speak.
“Ryan Caine.” Xavier’s voice was as smooth as aged whiskey. “I didn’t expect to see you at something so… corporate.”
“Xavier! I’m hurt. You know I live for quarterly projections and market analytics.” Ryan’s grin was pure mischief. “Have you met Andy? He’s Matt’s?—”
“Date,” I supplied, not missing how Xavier’s eyes sharpened with interest.
“Charmed,” Xavier said. “I hope Matt’s showing you a good time. Though it seems he’s rather preoccupied this evening.”
As if summoned by his name, Matt materialized at my side, his hand finding the small of my back. The possessive gesture wasn’t subtle. Neither was the way Xavier’s smile gained an edge.
“Kingsley,” Matt’s tone could have frozen hell.
“Caine.” Xavier raised his glass in a mock toast. “I was just telling Andy here how devoted you are to your work. The Palmer contract must be keeping you up at night.”
I felt Matt’s fingers flex against my back. Ryan looked like Christmas had come early.
“The Palmer contract is proceeding exactly as planned.” Matt’s voice was perfectly pleasant, which meant he was probably imagining creative ways to throw Xavier off the nearest balcony.
“Is it?” Xavier took a casual sip of his champagne. “I heard there were some… concerns about the implementation timeline.”
I felt Matt tense beside me, but before he could respond, Porter appeared with impeccable timing.
“Mr. Caine, I apologize for interrupting, but the investors from Dubai are asking about the projection models.”
Matt’s hand squeezed my waist gently. “I’ll be right back.”
“Take your time,” Ryan chirped. “I’m educating Andy on all the important things you never tell him.”
Matt’s warning look promised retribution, but he allowed Porter to lead him away. Xavier watched them go, something calculating in his emerald gaze.
“Sweet of your brother to leave you in such capable hands,” Xavier commented, his attention shifting back to Ryan. “Though I’m surprised you’re not causing more chaos. Losing your touch?”
“The night is young.” Ryan grinned. “Besides, I promised Matt no international incidents. Domestic ones are still fair game.”
Xavier’s laugh seemed genuine this time. “I remember when you convinced the Chinese delegation that Matt collected rare chopsticks.”
“That was a work of art,” Ryan agreed proudly. “They sent him a pair made from jade. He still hasn’t forgiven me.”
I watched their exchange with fascination. For all the apparent business rivalry, there seemed to be genuine amusement between Xavier and Ryan.
“Your brother”—Xavier turned from Ryan to me—”is notoriously protective of what he considers his.” His gaze flickered meaningfully around the ballroom—Matt’s territory. “It must be… interesting, being his latest acquisition.”
The words were silk-wrapped steel. Before I could bristle properly, Ryan jumped in.
“Andy’s not an acquisition,” he said, still smiling but with an edge that reminded me he was very much Matt’s brother. “He’s family.”
Something flashed in Xavier’s eyes—surprise, maybe, or calculation. “My mistake.” He inclined his head slightly. “Though speaking of acquisitions, I should check on my latest investment. The night air in Vegas seems to inspire… rash decisions.”
He disappeared into the crowd with the same grace he’d arrived, leaving me with questions I wasn’t sure I wanted answered.
“Well, that was fun,” Ryan declared, fishing an olive from his empty glass. “Usually, he saves the territorial pissing contest for the actual meetings.”
“Does he always…”
“Try to get under Matt’s skin? Oh yeah. It’s like his hobby.” Ryan’s eyes tracked something across the room. “Though tonight he seems extra spicy. Probably because of the Palmer thing.”
I watched Matt working the room, Porter still hovering nearby with those papers. The evening’s subtle power plays were starting to make my head spin. Or maybe that was the three glasses of sparkling cider.
“Getting overwhelmed?” Ryan nudged my shoulder. “We could always sneak out. I know where they keep the good snacks in the kitchen.”
“Matt would kill us.”
“Please, he’s too busy playing king of the corporate jungle.” Ryan’s expression turned sly. “Unless you’re hoping to finish what got interrupted earlier?”
I felt my face heat. “I hate you.”
“You love me. I’m the fun brother.” He straightened suddenly. “Oh, this should be good. Xavier’s heading for Matt’s group again. Want to get closer? We can pretend we’re getting more drinks.”
“Isn’t that a bit obvious?”
Ryan looked offended. “Amateur. Watch and learn.”
He led me on what appeared to be a casual path through the crowd, somehow timing it perfectly so we ended up near Matt’s group just as Xavier arrived. Porter had stepped back, watching the interaction with what seemed like polite interest.
“The Dubai group seemed impressed,” Xavier was saying. “Though I wonder if they know about the setbacks in the Sydney project?”
Matt’s smile didn’t waver. “I wasn’t aware you were keeping such close tabs on my operations, Xavier.”
“Just looking out for potential partners.” Xavier’s tone was pure innocence. “After all, we both want what’s best for the industry.”
The temperature seemed to drop several degrees. Ryan actually rubbed his hands together in glee.
I noticed something shift in Xavier’s expression as he watched Matt—a flash of something intense beneath the polished exterior. The way his eyes followed Matt’s every movement was almost… obsessive.
“The industry needs strong leadership,” Xavier continued, his gaze never leaving Matt. “Someone who truly understands its potential. Its power.”
The possessive undertone in his voice made me shiver slightly. Ryan, still watching the exchange like it was premium entertainment, didn’t seem to notice how Xavier’s fingers tightened on his champagne glass whenever Matt’s hand touched my back.
“You know,” Ryan whispered, “Xavier’s been fixated on Matt’s operations ever since MIT. Some people say that’s why he moved his company to Vegas—to be closer to the action.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Or closer to something else.”
Xavier’s carefully controlled expression cracked slightly when Matt pulled me closer. “It’s rather warm in here, isn’t it?” He loosened his tie with elegant fingers. “The desert air can be so… suffocating.”