Page 60 of Nothing to No One

Besides, alone time was overdue. And she had work to do.

After snagging some crackers from the kitchen, she went upstairs to finish the task. When complete, she saved the file and tossed her headphones onto the bed.

Was it too early to go to sleep? The house was quiet. Whatever happened with Roman, she wasn’t interested. Well, she was, because it impacted others, but she did not want to give a tantrum the time of day. And, yes, she fully believed that whatever his issue, Roman was blowing it way out of proportion. The man had so many troubles that he couldn’t control, he grabbed for the stick any time he thought he’d get away with it.

After midnight was a normal time to go to bed, she’d just climbed to her feet when the front door downstairs opened. She stopped. Who was coming in? Was that—

“You didn’t have to come over here,” Struan said.

“Are you kidding? I’ve had her on a leash,” another male said. “What the fuck is this bullshit?”

“Don’t swear at him like that,” a female said, much more fawning. “Oh, Struan, sweetie…” the woman’s voice stayed so calm, like a mother talking to a child. “What the fuck is this bullshit?”

Struan laughed. “Rox Out just can’t be anything but Rox Out.”

“You’re welcome,” the woman said. “Why aren’t we having this conversation at the club? I’ve been waiting all week for you to show. Your little brother’s blowing up my phone.”

“We’re keeping Roman away from Crimson.”

“Good. Saves me turning him away at the door. I’m sure you didn’t hear me inviting him. He can line up at the main entrance like the more valuable people. And if he gets in, Z will punch him in the face, because, let’s be honest, it’s overdue. I’m not so sure I want to work my magic restraining my Casanova anymore.”

“Rox…” the unknown male warned.

“Okay, geez, if it’s not you, it’s Logan. I so don’t get what everyone sees in this man.”

“Is that helpful?” the unknown male said. “I said you could come if—”

“I could come—oh, baby, you don’t know me if you think I need permission from any man for anything.”

“Except you didn’t know the address.”

“I do now,” the woman said, sly in her delivery. “So what do I need you for?”

“Half the female population of Manhattan,” Struan said. God, it was nice to hear him relaxed. “Percentage is probably higher out here.”

“Mm, right, without his mom looking over his shoulder.”

“If you think geography matters, Rox Out, you don’t know my mom.”

Curiosity took her to the bedroom door, she snuck along the upstairs hallway, concealed by the wall.

“You want a drink?” Struan asked.

“Yeah, I do,” Rox said. “In my empire. Grab anything you need, the car’s still warm outside.”

“I’m not going out.”

“Why not?” Rox said, boastful. “We get cell signal at the club.”

“Or so she’s told. When was the last time you charged your own phone?”

“And I said the money wouldn’t change me.”

“It didn’t. You never did it yourself before, now your guy pays someone to do it.”

“Not exclusively. Though that’s been a tug of war between us since—why are we talking about me? Come on, we’re leaving.”

“I’m not leaving,” Struan was adamant. “I won’t leave her alone in the house with him.”

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