Page 128 of Colt

Ice shrugged.

“There’re not many women like Anna out there. Smart, sweet, good business head, and beautiful,” I stated.

“I’m thinkin’ Drix knows that seeing as he’s actin’ the fool now. He had more feelin’s for her than he realized at first and lost her through his own actions. Now he needs to chalk it down to experience and move on.”

“Agreed.” I studied Ice again and shook my head, smiling. “I really miss you, Ice.”

He ruffled my hair like I was a kid. “Miss you too, Princess. Miss everythin’.”

“Can’t you come back?” I asked hopefully.

“Nah. Too late,” he replied. “Breaker’s taken over my role here, and anyway, Drix needs me. Not gonna abandon my brother when he needs my backup the most.”

I patted his arm. “You’re a good man.”

Ice smirked. “Don’t tell anyone.” His eyes lifted to look at something over my shoulder and dropped back to my face. “Freya. Why the fuck has Donovan O’Shea been looking at me for the past five minutes like he wants to rip my head off and shit down my neck?”

I closed my eyes. “Shit.”

“He’s headin’ this way,” Ice muttered. “Want me to get rid?”

I sighed frustratedly. “He keeps asking me out, but he’s not really my type.”

Iceman grinned. “I think you’re the only woman who ever existed to say Donny O’Shea isn’t their type. But it’s all good. I’ll stay with ya and give him some stink eye. We’ll sort it.” He took my hand, pulled me to his side, and slid an arm around my shoulders, watching as the other man approached.

Donovan didn’t look very happy. His stare fell on Ice’s arm around me and narrowed.

My heart gave a jerk.

I didn’t like the notion of hurting Donny, but I had turned him down when he’d asked me out. Dad had refused him too, so I didn’t know why he was acting possessive all of a sudden. It wasn’t like we were a couple. We hadn’t even been out.

“Evening,” Donny said as he swaggered toward us. “Wondered if could have a word with Freya.”

Ice looked at me, then back at Donovan and his arm tightened around me. “Go ahead.”

Donny’s face paled slightly when he realized Ice wasn’t going anywhere, but to give him his due, he pulled his shoulders back and went for it. “Wondered if you’ve changed your mind about dinner?”

“I told you I’m already seeing someone. I’m really flattered that you asked, but I’m not the type of woman to string two men along at once.”

Donovan’s lips twitched. “I know, Freya. It’s why I asked in the first place. Thing is, I’m not convinced you are seein’ someone. I think you know my reputation and you’re runnin’ scared, and I get it, I do. But I want you to know the other women knew the score, I was always honest with ‘em and told ‘em I didn’t want anythin’ serious.”

I placed a gentle hand on Donovan’s arm. “I really am seeing someone. I promise.”

Donovan’s brow furrowed, his cocky grin fading. “Oh.” His shoulders slumped in defeat, and he stepped back, shoving his hands deep into his pockets as he cleared his throat.

Ice looked between us, grinning.

An awkward silence fell over us. I dropped my gaze, smoothing the leather of my dress down self-consciously.

“Sorry,” I offered, throat thick with the need to escape from the awkward situation. “Well, I better go get ready before the party starts.”

Donny nodded absentmindedly, his eyes already scanning the crowd behind me for his next conquest.

I stifled the relieved sigh rising through my throat. Crisis averted, now I just had to get to Colt before anyone else waylaid me.

A sudden chime sounded from my purse.

It was a notification from Colt. I’d set him to a certain ringtone so I could recognize it was him whenever he called or messaged.

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