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“Let the fuck go of me. This isn’t any of your business. It’s between me and her,” he blustered. I thought it was bold of him when he couldn’t even move his arms. He was drunk and maybe high.

“It became my business when she told you no. Hasn’t anyone ever taught you that no means no? Your night is over. You’re out of here.”

Two security guys were standing off to the side, waiting for me to be done.

They knew that if one of the family stepped in, unless we indicated we needed them, to stay back and wait.

I’d leave the job of throwing his ass out the door to them.

I let go of him. He unsteadily turned around.

As he did, he threw a punch. It was easy to duck.

I was preparing for his next punch when Gianna got into the mix.

“Oh no, you don’t, asshole. If you try to hit him again, I’ll beat your ass off,” she snarled.

The security men came rushing up, and each caged him in.

“Sir, it’s time to go. You’re no longer welcome tonight at Sirens. Let us get you a ride home,” the tallest one said.

“We’ve got this, Mr. O’Sheeran,” the other said.

At the mention of my name, Mr. Eager blinked and then squinted at me. Recognition came, his mouth dropped open, and he stepped back.

“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t know it was you.”

“It shouldn’t matter that it was him. She said no. Leave, and if you ever return, behave or you’ll be banned for good,” Aidan told him sternly. Alistair and he had joined us. They had the other three women safely back.

The guy was shuffled away from us. As he was led away, with people watching and whispering, I glanced over at Gianna.

Ais, Riza, and the stranger returned to the table with Alistair and my cousin.

Now that I was near her, I needed a moment to soak in the sight and smell of her.

She had a distinctive scent. I didn’t know what it was, but it was intoxicating.

She was staring at me. With heels on, she stood almost eye-to-eye with me.

“Are you alright? Other than annoying you, he didn’t harm you, did he?” I asked.

She shook her head. “No, he didn’t harm me. He wouldn’t listen, that’s all. He was drunk. I appreciate what you did, but it wasn’t necessary, Rian. I can take care of myself,” Gianna said.

The music was loud, and there were people all around. Some were staring, and I saw them inching closer.

“Would you come with me? I need to speak to you, and I don’t need a bunch of eavesdroppers listening,” I asked. I’d have to ask her when we could speak if she said no. Waiting even twelve hours would feel like forever.

She hesitated, then nodded. “Sure, where would you like us to talk?”

“I’ll show you.” I held out my hand to indicate for her to precede me.

“Let me stop at the table and tell Aurora where I’m going. I don’t want her to worry,” Gianna said as she headed toward the table. I followed. When we reached it, the others gave us expectant looks. The unknown woman was studying me.

“Aurora, this is Rian O’Sheeran. Rian, this is my best friend, Aurora. He and I need to speak for a few minutes, and it’s too loud in here. We’ll be back. Will you be okay here?” she asked her friend.

“You go right ahead. I’ll be fine. It’s nice to meet you, Rian.” Aurora said, smiling.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Aurora. I’ll return her as soon as I can. Thanks for sparing her.” I smiled back.

“Don’t rush on my account. I’m having fun and learning so much.” She smiled at my family, who grinned back.

With her blessing, I pushed gently on Gianna’s back to guide her to the elevator, which would take us to the fourth floor. My hand lightly rested on her back. The heat sent a prickle of awareness through the palm of my hand. It went up my arm and made the whole thing heat up and feel energized.

I didn’t remove my hand, but I felt her stiffen slightly.

I wondered if she felt it, too. I placed my finger on the biometric reader inside the elevator, which allowed us to go to the fourth floor.

You could only use your fingerprint or a special access card to gain entry to that floor.

You didn’t need anything if you wanted to go to the other floors.

The ride was swift, mere seconds. No words were exchanged.

When the door opened, I guided her to Aidan’s office.

A personal suite was up here, but that might make her uncomfortable.

The entire family had access to both. Opening the door for her, I followed her inside.

I couldn’t help but admire her from behind.

íosa Chíost , Jesus Christ, she was killing me.

I couldn’t blame the guy downstairs for wanting to get to know her, but if I had my way, I’d be the only man who would—the last man.

“Have a seat. The couch is very comfortable. I can attest to it,” I said.

As she sat, I offered her a drink. “Can I get you a drink?”

“No thanks, I’ve had a few already. Rian, you said you needed to talk, so talk.

I assume it’s about the proposal your family made to mine.

Papà already gave Darragh our answer. We’re in for ninety days.

We need to determine whether it fits with our work and expansion plans.

I’m sorry I missed the meeting, but I had a prior commitment with Aurora,” she rattled off quickly.

I sat next to her. She slightly shifted as if trying to put room between us. Her eyes darted away from mine, and her fingers were laced together. Gianna had always stayed mostly quiet when close to me, but she hadn’t acted like this.

“No, it’s not to talk about that. Gianna, do I make you nervous? Are you afraid to be alone with me?” I asked.

She looked at me. “No, I’m not afraid or nervous. What gave you that idea? I just don’t know what we could have to talk about if it’s not the working agreement.” Her gaze moved away again.

“You’re not maintaining eye contact, your hands are clenched, and you seem stiff. I would never harm you, Gianna. You’re safe with me, always.”

She unclenched her hands and made eye contact. She visibly made herself relax. “I’m not worried you’ll hurt me, Rian. I didn’t realize I was. It must be residual from that guy. I wanted to punch him.”

“So did I.” I paused before continuing.

Now that I had her alone, I felt anxious. What if I was wrong and she wasn’t attracted to me? I couldn’t recall the last time I wanted a woman and she declined. Dia , that made me sound conceited, but it was true. Well, I wouldn’t know unless I asked.

“Rian…”

“Gianna…”

We both spoke at the same time. I motioned for her to go first.

“I’m at a loss. If you don’t want to discuss the agreement, then what? If you’re worried I need time to recover from the dickhead downstairs, I don’t. And while your intervention was sweet, I can take care of myself. Remember what I do for work.”

I couldn’t forget what she did, and it worried the hell out of me. But now wasn’t the time to go into that.

“Rian, I don’t think we should be meeting like this,” she added.

“Like what?”

“You know. Alone, without the rest of your family and mine. They’re all involved with the assignments. We should meet together.”

“Gianna, this has nothing to do with work. It’s personal.”

“P-personal?” she asked in a stutter. Her hands were back together.

“Yes, personal. We’ve known each other for four months, although admittedly, we haven’t spent much time together. However, you’ve been on my mind. I want to know if I’ve been on yours,” I asked.

“I don’t know what you mean by on my mind. Of course, you and your family have been. This partnership took us by surprise, and the missions we’ve done have been good.”

“Gianna, stop purposefully misunderstanding me. You know that I’m not talking about families or missions. I mean us. As in you and me being physically attracted to each other.”

As expected, my remark made her upset, and she snapped back.

“I’m not playing games. Fine, do you want to hear from one more woman that she finds you attractive?

Will that appease your male ego? Then yes, I do find you appealing, like countless other women.

However, the difference between me and them is that I know better than to pursue it.

There’s no future in that. There, satisfied? ”

“Somewhat. I’ll have you know, I don’t need women constantly falling at my feet or chasing after me. Why do you say there’s no future in it?”

She snorted in disbelief before she answered.

“Sure, you don’t. I see the magazines, news articles, and news reports on you.

You’re a rich, spoiled playboy. You float from woman to woman like they’re an unending candy supply.

And once you’re full, you move to the next one.

I have noticed that you stay in your social status with the people you date.

I think this conversation is over.” She shot to her feet.

I jumped to mine, and I grabbed her arm. She narrowed her eyes on me. I had to hurry before she threw a punch, and I had to get physical. “Gianna, stop. Let me explain. It’s not what you think.”

“What I think is you’re considering going slumming for once in your life. I don’t know what made you think it would be with me, but it’s not,” she hissed. Her cheeks were flushed.

“Being with you isn’t fucking slumming, and I don’t want to hear you say that again,” I snapped. She blinked in surprise at my anger. I pulled her back down to the couch. She came reluctantly. I switched my grip from her forearm to her hand.

“I won’t deny I’ve been with several women, though not as many as have been reported.

If my family and I are seen next to someone or talking to them, it’s reported that we’re together.

It’s an unavoidable hazard to be one of us.

I’m a healthy forty-year-old man. I enjoy sex.

And before you blast me again, let me finish.